Friday, April 11, 2014

Johnny Hobey

Boston College’s Johnny Gaudreau caps sensational season with Hobey Baker Award, NHL deal.

Johnny Hobey
Johnny Gaudreau averaged two points per game as a junior.

Boston College junior left wing Johnny Gaudreau (Carneys Point, N.J./Dubuque-USHL/CGY) capped one of the best college hockey seasons in memory by capturing the 2014 Hobey Baker Award and signing his entry-level contract with the Calgary Flames on Friday.

More on Gaudreau: Developing Story | Pro Signings

Gaudreau becomes the third Boston College Eagle to win the Hobey Baker Award as the nation’s top player, joining Mike Mottau (2000) and David Emma (1991). He is the first non-senior to win the award since North Dakota’s Ryan Duncan in 2007.

Joining Gaudreau among the Hobey Hat Trick of three finalists were St. Lawrence’s Greg Carey (Hamilton, Ont./Burlington-OJHL/PHX) and St. Cloud State’s Nic Dowd (Huntsville, Ala./Indiana-USHL/LA).

Gaudreau won the award after a remarkable season in which he truly left his mark on college hockey. He is the first player to reach 80 points since Peter Sejna in 2002-03 and finishes with 40% more points than the next-closest non-teammate (Carey).

Gaudreau led the nation in goals (36), assists (44) and game-winning goals (7). He finished his three-year career with 175 points, more than any other active player this season, even those who had played four years. He repeated as a first-team All-American and Hockey East Player of the Year and tied Paul Kariya’s Hockey East record with a 31-game point-scoring streak.

Immediately after the Hobey Baker presentation Calgary announced it had signed Gaudreau and linemate Bill Arnold (Needham, Mass./U.S. NTDP/CGY) to their entry-level contracts. The two, along with Kevin Hayes (Dorchester, Mass./Nobles-Prep/CHI) made up the nation’s most dangerous line and led Boston College to the Frozen Four.