Finalists for the 2008 Hobey Baker Award

The 2008 Hobey "Hat Trick," the final three players for the Hobey Baker Award, are forwards Nathan Gerbe, Ryan Jones and Kevin Porter.

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JPL was robbed!

In back to back years, the Hobey voting panel has left out the nation's leading scorer on a major team (Hensick) and the nation's clear #1 goaltender on a top 5 team (JPL). No offense to Eric Ehn and Ryan Jones, but these guys had/have no shot of winning the award and had no business in the Hat Trick.

Worst of all, it is completely impossible to reconcile the excuse for Hensick's omission after seeing Gerbe in the final 3 this year.

In back to back years, the Hobey voting panel has left out the nation's leading scorer on a major team (Hensick) and the nation's clear #1 goaltender on a top 5 team (JPL). No offense to Eric Ehn and Ryan Jones, but these guys had/have no shot of winning the award and had no business in the Hat Trick.

Worst of all, it is completely impossible to reconcile the excuse for Hensick's omission after seeing Gerbe in the final 3 this year.Couldn't agree more.I still say the best player in the nation IMO is TJ Oshie.

I do not know if JPL got robbed so much as voters were split between he and Oshie. Its hard to say one guy is the reason. You cannot argue with his GAA and SO. But did Oshie in that line up give them just enough of an edge to win. And without Oshie do they lose some 1-0 2-1 games were JPL can still post great numbers? But as a team NoDak then is not as good. The year Mottau won it i know it was Gionta and Farkas in the mix. I think thats the real reason some guys get jobbed. Unless you are from the east coast.

I had JPL, Gerbe and Porter as my picks. JPL deservd it. But i can see how people got it wrong.

LAMBERT WAS ROBBED!!!!

JK, Although he may not have been the easy pic, how many DIII recruits have ever been up for the award? Done wonders for the RIT program/ Rochester community, and helped put the school in asmall spotlight the last two years by being in the top 5 in the natinon in scoring, and a top ten Hobey Finalist....

Toss up between Porter and Gerbe, but i think it will go to Porter....
I would have thought JPL would have gotten in over Jones though....

Couldn't agree more.I still say the best player in the nation IMO is TJ Oshie.

I can't say I have much patience for Sioux fans pushing the "best player in the nation" schtick after Ryan Duncan (i.e. 3rd best guy on his on LINE) won the Hobey last year. Focus on JPL. He was robbed from a rightful top 3 finish. Oshie wasn't.

Toss up between Porter and Gerbe, but i think it will go to Porter....
I would have thought JPL would have gotten in over Jones though....

I will be flat out stunned if this is even a remotely close call. In fact, I will be surprised if even the biased New England media votes for Gerbe over Porter (though the margin will surely be closer). And that's saying something.

Wrap it up for Porter now (not that he wouldn't have won it anyway even if JPL was in there)

I can't see how Porter does not get it and I've been unwavering in that view all year. I think Michigan would have been a tier-two team like MN or WI without Porter. You can make a good case for Gerbe, but Porter has an edge because of the intangibles he brings to the table. Gerbe is also on a more seasoned team that didn't rely on freshman for production as much as MI did.

As far as the "biased east coast media" conspiracy is involved; I wouldn't say it has much affect on the outcome. It's been 8 years since an east-coaster won. 9 people have won it from eastern based schools compared to 18 winners from midwestern schools. Hockey East boasts 6 winners, 13 for the WCHA, including the aformentioned Duncan doozy, and 5 for the CCHA. Mike Mottau is really the only one from H-East that was dubious.

I can't say I have much patience for Sioux fans pushing the "best player in the nation" schtick after Ryan Duncan (i.e. 3rd best guy on his on LINE) won the Hobey last year. Focus on JPL. He was robbed from a rightful top 3 finish. Oshie wasn't.That is your opinion but there isn't a better all around player in the nation than Oshie.He may not have all the stats to back up a Hobey top 3 but he has intangibles that aren't put on a scoresheet.He never takes a shift off,backchecks his butt off,hits like a frieght train,and has probably saved more goals than he has scored because of his defensive play.Yeah I bleed green but for all the years I have followed by beloved SIOUX there hasn't been a more exciting player to watch IMO.

That is your opinion but there isn't a better all around player in the nation than Oshie.He may not have all the stats to back up a Hobey top 3 but he has intangibles that aren't put on a scoresheet.He never takes a shift off,backchecks his butt off,hits like a frieght train,and has probably saved more goals than he has scored because of his defensive play.Yeah I bleed green but for all the years I have followed by beloved SIOUX there hasn't been a more exciting player to watch IMO.



There are many players in the NCAA that fit that description

There are many players in the NCAA that fit that descriptionSo there must be a bunch of that are #1 draft picks eh?Have you seen the kid play?If not keep it to youyrself.

I think last year there was a lot going around of was it Oshie's work, Duncan's finishing ability or Toews's playmaking that made that line so good. Its still hard to tell. I mean this year look at the goalies in the WCHA. Kangas played great, Stalock is solid on a marginal UMD team, Manino is good, there were all good i will not list them all only AAs golies was under a .900 save percentage and all goalies were under 3GAA. And all but AAs goalies were under 2.50.

So people wanted a lot out Oshie. Look at other could be sjuniors in the WCHA. Skille did ok i nthe AHL and NHL. Raymond and Niskanen both regular NHLers. Lee played well in the AHL.

He did not have the points to be that guy. He scored less. You would have to place him under a microscope and analize him too much for him to get the Hobey. They also look at conduct. I know sometimes they go against the grain. But his fight this year with other guy and his rap sheet from a few years ago i am sure played. I do not hink its a big deal. I know grades come ito play. Was he a 3.0 or better student? I am sure thats why Carle won over Potulny. Grades.

As far as him being the best in college. I think he is the best bet to have an impact at the next level. But i see alot of other guys with higher upsides. I do not see Oshie scoring at the same clip. He was at what averaged 1.07 in WCHA play. Thats really good for a freshmen, decent for a sophmore scorere as a junior you are not dominating all that much. It is not the end or not a 100% science i know. But Vanek, Parise, Heatley, Kessel, Towes all put up better numbers. And non stayed until their junior year. I always think of Oshie as being a Mark Ricci or a Claude Lemieux kind of guy. Solid 35-55 point guy. Spike to 60-70. But has a good chance to win a Conn Smythe one day. IMO those guys are underated. And people will only look at his point drop off.

That is your opinion but there isn't a better all around player in the nation than Oshie.He may not have all the stats to back up a Hobey top 3 but he has intangibles that aren't put on a scoresheet.He never takes a shift off,backchecks his butt off,hits like a frieght train,and has probably saved more goals than he has scored because of his defensive play.Yeah I bleed green but for all the years I have followed by beloved SIOUX there hasn't been a more exciting player to watch IMO.

Every single thing you say about Oshie (all true, btw), can be said about Kevin Porter, and Porter DOES have the stats to back up a Hobey as well as the great team success and greater leadership role. For NoDak fans to actually suggest Oshie was somehow wronged is RIDICULOUS. Period. Very good player. Got recognition as a top 10 finalist while more statistically deserving players did not (Kolarik, among others). There is nothing to complain about. The end.

Every single thing you say about Oshie (all true, btw), can be said about Kevin Porter, and Porter DOES have the stats to back up a Hobey as well as the great team success and greater leadership role. For NoDak fans to actually suggest Oshie was somehow wronged is RIDICULOUS. Period. Very good player. Got recognition as a top 10 finalist while more statistically deserving players did not (Kolarik, among others). There is nothing to complain about. The end.
Yes Porter is a heck of a player and deserves the Hobey but he also played alot easier schedule than the SIOUX,which by the way was the toughest in the nation.The end.

So there must be a bunch of that are #1 draft picks eh?Have you seen the kid play?If not keep it to youyrself.


Yes I have seen the kid play and I do agree that that he should have been looked at to be in the final 3 for sure. I was just saying that there are many players in the NCAA that give it there all every shift and help provide leadership to their team. I meant no disrespect to him

I can probably end this argument by saying Oshie had no shot at the Hobey this season. His off ice issues laid that to bed earlier in the season. It Plain and simple hurt him no matter how he played this season. (Sioux fans have to take off the Green Glasses for this one) It is not exemplimary of the Award....In the Voters minds at least. A case can be made that he was lucky to have made the Top Ten.

I can probably end this argument by saying Oshie had no shot at the Hobey this season. His off ice issues laid that to bed earlier in the season. It Plain and simple hurt him no matter how he played this season. (Sioux fans have to take off the Green Glasses for this one) It is not exemplimary of the Award....In the Voters minds at least. A case can be made that he was lucky to have made the Top Ten.I never said he should be the Hobey winner and I know all to well about his off the ice issues.I'm just saying he is the most complete player out there in Division 1 hockey.That's it.

D-Sioux, my man, what's all the hullaballo about then? This is a thread about who should win the Hobey, not about the best player. I think everyone here knows Oshie is likely to be the best NHL player of the lot and is arguably one of the best players in the NCAA tis year. I think MN-Gopher wrapped it up pretty well in stating the qualifications for the Hobey. It doesn't always go the "best player" necessarily, but the one who meets the various credentials. Heatley would have won it if it went to to the best player. The fact that Oshie was nominated as an underclassmen is testament to his ability.

It's always going to be subjective and people are always gong to feel shafted when their boy gets looked over. Personally I thought Turris, Bachman or Rau could have been there over Lasch. And yeah, stats don't always tell the tale with players. It's just a fact the players with the bigger numbers are always going to get the accolades.

D-Sioux, my man, what's all the hullaballo about then? This is a thread about who should win the Hobey, not about the best player. I think everyone here knows Oshie is likely to be the best NHL player of the lot and is arguably one of the best players in the NCAA tis year. I think MN-Gopher wrapped it up pretty well in stating the qualifications for the Hobey. It doesn't always go the "best player" necessarily, but the one who meets the various credentials. Heatley would have won it if it went to to the best player. The fact that Oshie was nominated as an underclassmen is testament to his ability.

It's always going to be subjective and people are always gong to feel shafted when their boy gets looked over. Personally I thought Turris, Bachman or Rau could have been there over Lasch. And yeah, stats don't always tell the tale with players. It's just a fact the players with the bigger numbers are always going to get the accolades.
You are right rabid I just go off on a tangent sometimes and forget what the subject actually is.My bad.

I had bet either Lambert or Oshie to win.

I'll go with Porter, he had a great year.

I had bet either Lambert or Oshie to win.

I'll go with Porter, he had a great year.

Lambert was very deserving of the Award..Put up great #'s and played all situations, and was Great with the Rochester Community. But it would never happen to an AHA team that barely gets any coverage, Not to mention, how would the NCAA react to a DIII recruit winning the most coveted individual award in college hockey. I am just glad he got some recognition.

I'd say Gerbe is making a pretty good case for The Hobey right about now.

I'd say Gerbe is making a pretty good case for The Hobey right about now.

The polls are closed!

The polls are closed!

Shows you my interest level in that aspect.... I guess he's making a good case for getting to the championship game then.

Shows you my interest level in that aspect.... I guess he's making a good case for getting to the championship game then.

At the same time maybe it means a little less criticism and rants of east-coast bias if Gerbe was actually the winner.

At the same time maybe it means a little less criticism and rants of east-coast bias if Gerbe was actually the winner.

I've heard of this east coast bias theory. I don't think the recent history of Hobey winners supports it. In my book Porter gets it this year, but not by much. If you look at Gerbe and Porter you could make a great case for both of them to win. Both teams lost key players, Hensick and Johnson for MI; Boyle, Rooney and Schneider for BC (Motherwell and O'Hanley this year). Both were at the top of the scoring ladder this year. I give Porter the nod since Michigan was a younger team and he provided outstanding leadership. BC had significant losses but they still have a lot of players that were on the teams that have been in the past two championships.