Hockey East has Hobey monopoly

The league is even better represented on the list of Hobey Baker Memorial Award Hat Trick finalists, announced yesterday. The Terriers have two, sophomore center Colin Wilson and senior defenseman Matt Gilroy. The third is Northeastern junior goaltender Brad Thiessen. It is the first time in the nine years of the Hobey Hat Trick format that the three finalists have come from the same conference.

The award, which honors college hockey's top player, will be announced on ESPNU at 7 p.m. next Friday at the Verizon Center in Washington, site of the Frozen Four. The criteria for the award are strength of character on and off the ice, displaying outstanding skills in all phases of the game, sportsmanship, and scholastic achievement.

Coach Jack Parker attempted to discourage Gilroy from going to BU because there was no room in the lineup for the walk-on forward. So Gilroy converted to defense. Then Parker tried to discourage Gilroy from coming back this season, feeling he was ready for the pros. Parker jokes that he is glad Gilroy didn't listen to him either time.

Gilroy, the Terriers' captain, has played in 144 consecutive games. In 42 contests this season, he has 36 points. He was recognized as a first-team Hockey East all-star, becoming the first blue liner in league history to be so honored three times. He also earned the Walter Brown Award as the top American-born college player in New England.

Thiessen was named Hockey East Player of the Year and a first-team all-star. He played every minute of the season, posting a 25-12-4 record and finishing fourth in the nation in victories. He was 12th in goals-against average (2.11) and fifth in save percentage (.931). Thiessen allowed two goals or fewer in 24 of 41 games and went 19-1-4 in them.

Wilson, a first-team Hockey East all-star, had 15 goals and set up 37, racking up 52 points. He goes into the Frozen Four second in the country in assists and third in points. Wilson finished tied for the league scoring title as the Terriers won the Hockey East regular-season and tournament titles. Wilson, the seventh overall pick by Nashville in last year's NHL draft, had 17 multi-point games.