Officials from the Blues have said that in an ideal scenario, Jimmy Snuggerud will come to St. Louis for the Frozen Four with the Minnesota Gophers next month, then stay there to begin his NHL career. In an ideal scenario for Gophers fans, he will earn a few trophies first.
Snuggerud, a junior from Chaska, was named Wednesday as one of the 10 finalists for the Hobey Baker Award given annually to college hockey’s top player. It comes a day after Snuggerud was named to the Big Ten’s all-conference first team. He is hoping to become the fifth Gopher to win the Hobey, which was first given to Minnesota star forward Neal Broten in 1981.
Denver Pioneers defenseman Zeev Buium, picked by Minnesota in the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft, was another of the 10 finalists. Buium and teammate Jack Devine both made the list after helping the Pioneers to the program’s 10th NCAA title last season.
The other seven finalists are Penn State forward Aiden Fink, Army defenseman Mac Gadowsky, Michigan State forward Isaac Howard, Boston College forward Ryan Leonard, Clarkson forward Ayrton Martino, Holy Cross forward Liam McLinskey and Minnesota State Mankato goalie Alex Tracy.
The voting, which is conducted by a panel of coaches, NHL scouts and media, should be particularly interesting for Penn State coach Guy Gadowsky, with his top player and his son both up for the award. The field will be reduced to three Hobey Hat Trick finalists on April 3, with the trophy awarded on Friday, April 11 at the Frozen Four.
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