Friday, April 6, 2012

Hometown Hero Wins Hobey

UMD’s Jack Connolly caps outstanding career with college hockey’s top honor.

Hometown Hero Wins Hobey
Jack Connolly was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award as a junior before winning it this year.

Jack Connolly, captain of the defending national champion Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs, three-time All-WCHA selection and two-time All-American, capped his prolific college career Friday by accepting the 2012 Hobey Baker Award as college hockey’s top player.

“Although I’m the one receiving this great honor, it would not have been possible without my teammates and I share this all with them,” Connolly said at the award ceremony at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Fla.

“I would like to give a special thank you to the UMD coaching staff – head coach Scott Sandelin, current assistant coaches Derek Plante, Jason Herter and Bill Watson, and my two former assistant coaches, Steve Rohlik and Brett Larson, for having a lasting impact on my college hockey career.”

Connolly – a Duluth, Minn., native who was joined at the ceremony by his brother, Boston University captain Chris Connolly – became the fifth Minnesota Duluth player to win the Hobey Baker Award.

“I think Jack epitomizes what the award is about,” Sandelin said. “Obviously, he was a tremendous leader and an offensive catalyst for our team. He had a remarkable career and an even more remarkable senior season. Most of all, Jack has always represented our program in a first-class way and I couldn’t be happier for him.”

Connolly edged out Colgate’s Austin Smith and Maine’s Spencer Abbott for the award. Undrafted in the NHL, Connolly is a free agent.