Connor Named Hobey Hat Trick Finalist
3/31/2016 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
March 31, 2016
• Kornacki Feature: Hobey Finalist Connor Receives High Praise from Previous U-M Winners
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Freshman forward Kyle Connor of the University of Michigan ice hockey team was named one of three finalists for the 2016 Hobey Baker Memorial Award, the Hobey Baker Award Committee announced today (Thursday, March 31).
Connor joins junior goaltender Thatcher Demko from Boston College and senior forward Jimmy Vesey from Harvard University in the Hobey Hat Trick. The three finalists were selected from the initial list of top ten candidates that included junior forwards JT Compher and Tyler Motte. Criteria for the award includes: displaying outstanding skills in all phases of the game, strength of character on and off the ice, sportsmanship and scholastic achievements.
The 36th annual announcement will take place at the Tampa Theatre and will be televised live on Friday, April 8 on the NHL Network at 6 p.m. EDT and at the Hobey website, www.hobeybakeraward.com.
Connor's selection to the Hobey Hat Trick marks the third time a Michigan player has been named a top finalist for the most prestigious award in college hockey, joining Kevin Porter (won, 2008) and Brendan Morrison (won, 1997).
The Shelby Township, Michigan, native had a sensational regular-season campaign, leading the nation in scoring with 71 points (35 goals, 36 assists). He finished the season with a 27-game point streak, a Michigan record, notching 59 points (30 goals, 29 assists) in that span. The Big Ten Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year, Connor is also the first freshman in college hockey to record 30 goals since Thomas Vanek (Minnesota) in 2002-03, and his point total (71) matched Jack Eichel's (BU) total from last season, the most by any freshman in college hockey since Paul Kariya (Maine) had 100 points in 1992-93.
Connor's individual performances stood for themselves. He led Michigan with 19 multiple-point games and 12 multiple-goal efforts. On March 18, Connor scored four goals in a 7-2 win over Penn State in a Big Ten semifinal contest, becoming the first Michigan player to notch four goals in a game since Porter in 2008. He followed that effort with a four-point effort (G, 3A) in a 5-3 win over Minnesota the next night to help the Wolverines earn their first-ever Big Ten Tournament title. For his efforts, Connor was named to the All-Tournament team and Tournament MVP.
In an 8-3 win over Minnesota on Dec. 12, Connor became the first U-M freshman to record a hat trick in a game since Michael Woodford in 2001. He also helped Michigan clinch its 17th Great Lakes Invitational title with three points (G, 2A) in wins over Northern Michigan and Michigan Tech on Dec. 29-30, earning GLI MVP honors. His 10 power play goals on the season ranked second in the nation, and his seven game-winning goals ranked third in the country. Connor was fifth in the country with a plus-34 rating.
Communications Contact: Jeffrey Weinstein
