Friday, April 6, 2012

USHL Alum Connolly Earns Hobey Baker Award


Fifth former USHL player to earn college hockey's top award.

University of Minnesota-Duluth senior forward Jack Connolly has been named the 2012 recipient of the Hobey Baker Award, presented to the top player in NCAA Division I men’s ice hockey.

Connolly was second in the nation in scoring this season with 60 points (20g, 40a) while playing in each of his team’s 41 games. It is the second season he has been a Hobey Baker Award finalist and the fifth from the University of Minnesota-Duluth to earn college hockey’s top individual award.

It culminated a big week for the Duluth, Minnesota native as he also earned the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award for men’s hockey which is determined by a nationwide vote of NCAA Division I men’s hockey coaches, national media, and fans. The Lowe's Senior CLASS (Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School) Award, which is presented annually to a NCAA I athlete in 10 sports (men's hockey, men's and women's basketball, baseball, men's lacrosse, softball, football, men's and women's soccer and volleyball), is based on achievement in the "Four C's" -- classroom, character, community and competition.

Over his four-year collegiate career, Connolly skated in 166 consecutive games (a school record) and finished eighth on the school’s all-time scoring list with 197 points (66g, 131a). He was also part of the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs team that captured the NCAA Championship in 2011, the first-ever title for the school.

Connolly spent the 2007-08 season in the USHL with the Sioux Falls Stampede and earned multiple awards during his time in the League. He tied for the lead in USHL scoring with 72 points (26g, 46a) in 58 regular season games. The forward also finished with a plus-18 rating. He was named the USHL Rookie of the Year and earned spots on both the All-USHL First Team and USHL All-Rookie Team. Connolly was also honored by USA Hockey with the Dave Tyler Junior Player of the Year Award.

It is the second consecutive season that a former USHL player has earned the Hobey Baker Award as Andy Miele was named the recipient in 2011. Connolly becomes the fifth USHL alumni overall to win the Hobey Baker Award and second former Sioux Falls Stampede player to capture the honor.

USHL Alumni to have won the Hobey Baker Award

2012 – Jack Connolly, University of Minnesota-Duluth (Sioux Falls Stampede, 2007-08)

2011 – Andy Miele, Miami University (Chicago Steel/Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, 2005-08)

2006 – Matt Carle, University of Denver (Omaha Lancers, 2002-03)

2005 – Marty Sertich, Colorado College (Sioux Falls Stampede, 2001-02)

2003 – Peter Sejna, Colorado College (Des Moines Buccaneers, 1998-2000)

USHL stats – Jack Connolly

Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the USHL celebrates its 10th season as the nation's only Tier I junior hockey league in 2011-12. With 28 picks during the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, 13 NHL draftees on its rosters this season, and over 250 players already committed to NCAA Division I schools this season, the USHL is emerging as the world’s foremost producer of junior hockey talent. For more information, visit us on the web at www.USHL.com or visit the League’s multiple social media platforms, including Facebook (www.facebook.com/ushlhockey), twitter (www.twitter.com/ushl), and YouTube (www.youtube.com/ushlinteractive). Fans can also watch USHL action online all season long, live or on-demand via FASTHockey (ushl.fasthockey.com)

It’s not just hockey. It’s the USHL.

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