Thanks to a slew of Minnesota natives, the St. Cloud State Huskies are heading to their first-ever Frozen Four after defeating top-seeded Notre Dame and Miami by a combined 9-2 score this weekend.

Most impressive of the local talent is none other than senior Hobey Baker candidate Drew LeBlanc from Hermantown. He represents four Minnesota natives that are up for the award, which is given to the top player in men’s college hockey. For the second year in a row and the fourth time in the past 11 seasons, the State of Hockey could be the Home of the Hobey – and LeBlanc’s journey represents what Minnesota Hockey is all about.

LeBlanc played hockey all the way through the Hermantown youth and high school system. He scored 199 points in three years with the Hermantown High School team, where he helped win a state championship. LeBlanc also played football and baseball throughout his high-school years, proving again that athletes make the best hockey players.

In his freshman year at St. Cloud State, LeBlanc tallied 15 points in 38 games. He more than doubled his total to 31 points the following year and led the Huskies with 39 points as a junior before suffering a devastating injury early in his senior year.

LeBlanc sustained a compound leg fracture on Nov. 5 of last season, which would sideline him for the rest of the year. Instead of trying to pursue a pro hockey career, he applied for a medical redshirt to return to St. Cloud State for one more season. Many would wonder how effective he would be on the ice after missing so much time. He answered those critics with a career year for both himself and the Huskies program.

The Hermantown native leads the nation with 37 assists. He ranks seventh in the country in points scored with 50 while serving as the captain of a team just two wins away from an NCAA National Championship. LeBlanc was also the WCHA’s Player of the Year and Outstanding Student-Athlete while being named to the All-WCHA First Team. He has been a WCHA Scholar Athlete the past four straight years.

Behind the scenes, LeBlanc is a student-teacher this year at St. Cloud Apollo High School. He wants to teach math and coach hockey eventually, but that might have to wait, as NHL teams will come calling after the Frozen Four. Either way, LeBlanc will be in good hands.

He hasn’t just gotten the local media’s attention. In late February, the New York Times featured the talented forward. Head coach Bob Motzko summed up his experience with the captain in a recent St. Cloud Times article.

“If there’s a character portion on any award in college hockey this year, he should be in the running for it,” Motzko said in the article. “He’s one of the strongest character people I’ve ever been around.”

Here’s a look at the other three finalists representing the State of Hockey, courtesy of www.hobeybakeraward.com:

Ryan Walters (Nebraska Omaha, Rosemount)

The WCHA scoring champion elevated his way to the top of the nation in scoring with 52 total points. He was named First Team WCHA for his efforts and completed his season a plus-26, ranking him second in the nation in plus-minus.

• Finishes season with 22 goals, 30 assists for 52 points in 39 games, the nation’s top scorer through regular-season play
• Business major and WCHA Scholar Athlete
• Notched 40 points in 28 WCHA games to lead conference

Danny Kristo (North Dakota, Eden Prairie)

With linemate Corban Knight setting him up, Kristo is the finisher with 26 goals to rank tied for second in the nation in goal scoring, giving North Dakota a powerful one-two punch. An assistant captain, Kristo was named First Team WCHA, finishing second in the conference in goals and points.

• Finished with 26 goals, 26 assists for 52 points in 40 games
• Recreation and Tourism Studies major and is very active in community volunteering
• Montreal draft pick (2nd round)

Eric Hartzell (Quinnipiac, White Bear Lake)

A huge reason the Bobcats are ranked No. 1 is due to the play of Hartzell, who led all ECAC goalies in conference play and was named Goalie of the Year, Player of the Year and First Team ECAC. His 1.50 goals-against average is fourth best in league history and currently places him third in the nation. He was also the ECAC Goalie of the Month three of the five times it’s been awarded.

• His 29 wins are the most in the nation
• His save percentage is .933
• Five shutouts
• Had a streak of 21 straight games without a loss
• Marketing major, active volunteer

Past Hobey Bakers from Minnesota

Jack Connolly (2012)

Marty Sertich (2005)

Jordan Leopold (2002)

Brian Bonin (1996)

Chris Marinucci (1994)

Robb Stauber (1988)

Tom Kurvers (1984)

Neal Broten (1981)