The term Hobey Hat Trick is usually reserved for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award’s top three finalists, but this year it could take on a new meaning, especially for Minnesotans.

The 2014 season marks the first time ever three consecutive Hobey Baker winners could come from the same state or province.  Minnesota natives Jack Connolly (2012) and Drew LeBlanc (2013) have claimed the previous two awards, making Minnesota the first state to claim back-to-back winners of college hockey’s most prestigious award.

This year’s Hobey Baker Memorial Award top ten finalists are: Josh Archibald (Nebraska-Omaha), Greg Carey (St. Lawrence), Nic Dowd (St. Cloud State), Ryan Dzingel (Ohio State), Johnny Gaudreau (Boston College), Shayne Gostisbehere (Union), Kevin Hayes (Boston College), CJ Motte (Ferris State), Joel Rumpel (Wisconsin) and Adam Wilcox (Minnesota).

Of those finalists, two have roots in Minnesota. Adam Wilcox is a South St. Paul native, and Josh Archibald, who was born in Canada, claims Brainerd as his hometown after playing his high school hockey there for his dad, Jim Archibald.

On paper, Archibald looks to be one of the traditional candidates for the award as voters have historically favored players at the top of college hockey in scoring, especially those with a large  number of goals. The Pittsburgh Penguins draft pick set a Nebraska Omaha record with 29 goals over 37 games, second most in the nation at the end of the regular season.

With a total of 43 points, 32 of which came in 24 conference games, Archibald captured the inaugural National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) scoring title.  The conference named him First Team all-conference, NCHC Forward and Player of the Year.

In an article by Minnesota Hockey Magazine, Archibald’s versatility with the puck on his stick, especially at high speeds, was credited for much of his success.

“He can score in tight, he can score on backhands and he can put the puck away at top speed, whatever the goaltender gives him,” Nebraska-Omaha head coach, Dean Blais said. “He’s got good hands and he’s got good hockey sense.”

“He can take sort of a nothing play and use his speed to take someone wide and make something happen at the net and that’s a huge threat,” said teammate Dominic Zombo. “Teams have to be aware that his speed is a huge factor and helps us out a lot.”

On the other side of the spectrum, there is Adam Wilcox.  In over 30 years of the award’s history, Ryan Miller and Duluth native Robb Stauber are the only two goaltenders that have been awarded the Hobey Baker Memorial Award.

That doesn’t make Wilcox any less of a threat to win the award as his performance has not only led to a number of impressive individual statistics but have been a major reason behind the Golden Gophers’ 16-week reign on top of the national polls.

Despite racking up only three shutouts, Wilcox allowed two goals or less in 25 of 33 regular season games on his way to compiling a goals against average of 1.91 (3rd in nation) and save percentage of .934 (2nd in nation). His play earned him several awards during the Big Ten’s inaugural season as the conference named him First Team all-conference, Goalie and Player of the Year.

Congratulations and good luck to both of the Minnesota natives as well as the other eight finalists!

The Hobey Baker top three finalists will be announced on April 2nd. The winner will be announced during the Frozen Four in Philadelphia.

Past Hobey Bakers from Minnesota

Drew LeBlanc (2013)

Jack Connolly (2012)

Marty Sertich (2005)

Jordan Leopold (2002)

Brian Bonin (1996)

Chris Marinucci (1994)

Robb Stauber (1988)

Tom Kurvers (1984)

Neal Broten (1981)