Two Burnaby hockey players have been shortlisted for the prestigious Hobey Baker memorial award.
Denver University defenceman Joey LaLeggia and University of Alaska Fairbanks forward Tyler Morley are among a list of 61 NCAA hockey players shortlisted for the coveted prize.
The annual award, named after Baker who was generally recognized as the best amateur hockey player in the United States in his era, is awarded to the top National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s ice hockey player.
Candidates must embody character, both on and off the ice, display outstanding on-ice skills, show scholastic achievement and sportsmanship, while contributing to the integrity of the team, in accordance to the values of the Baker award.
LaLeggia, a senior, recorded his 100th career NCAA Division I point, becoming just the eighth Denver blueliner to reach the century mark.
He was named National Collegiate Hockey defenceman of the year and offensive defenceman of the year last season, tying for the conference lead in goals by a defender with 12. LaLeggia was named All-Conference first team.
As a sophomore, LaLeggia was selected to the all-conference second team, while also drafted in the fifth round of the NHL entry draft by the Edmonton Oilers.
LaLeggia was also named the national rookie of the year, Inside Hockey’s freshman of the year and College Hockey News rookie of the year.
Morley was a third team All-West Coast Hockey Conference pick and all-academic team selection in his sophomore season.
He is currently second in the conference in points and third in assists. Morley was also an all-rookie team pick.
A third collegiate player with Burnaby roots is Colgate goalkeeper Charlie Finn.
The former Northwest Giants major midget backstopper was recently named the East Coast conference goaltender of the week for the third time.
This season Finn has registered a 1.81 goals against average and a .933 save percentage, ranking among the top 10 in the NCAA in both categories. He also shares an NCAA-best four shutouts with several other goalies in Div. I play this season.
Past Hobey Baker winners from B.C. included Burnaby Winter Club’s Paul Kariya, Brendan Morrison and Jason Krog.
