Inside College Hockey | Go-To Guys: Hobey Baker Hat Trick

March 29, 2005
Go-To Guys: Hobey Baker Hat Trick

The list of candidates has for the 2005 Hobey Baker Memorial Award has been pared to three, with today's announcement of the Hobey Hat Trick. David McKee, Marty Sertich and Brett Sterling are up for the award, marking the first time since the Hat Trick format was introduced in 2002 that two teammates are among the final three.

We've listed the finalists in alphabetical order below, along with their vital statistics and the qualities that will make – or break – their candidacy.

HOBEY BAKER MEMORIAL AWARD FINALISTS
David McKee Cornell Sophomore \| Goaltender	Statistics: 27-5-3, 1.24 GAA, .947 sv. pct., 10 SO Why he could win: McKee was clearly the catalyst on a Cornell team that was dominant in the ECACHL and nearly knocked off Minnesota on the Gophers' home ice – behind his 37 saves. He's shown he can stop a two-on-oh, and he's facing one now against CC teammates Sertich and Sterling. Why he might not: A win on Sunday would have catapulted McKee's candidacy, but with the Big Red bowing out, many may still dismiss his and his team's success as a product of their relatively weak strength of schedule. He also may have lost votes to another exceptional ECACHL goaltender, Harvard senior Dov Grumet-Morris.
Marty Sertich Colorado College Junior \| Forward	Statistics: 42 GP, 27-37—64 Why he could win: While Sterling is more of a pure goal scorer, Sertich is as versatile as a Swiss Army knife. When the Tigers need someone to create offense, slow down an opposing centerman, set up a teammate on the power play, kill penalties or take a crucial draw, coach Scott Owens looks to Sertich. Why he might not: Could the linemate who has helped him so much in the course of the season hurt when it comes to the Hobey? If voters are divided between the two Tigers, the pair may have to "settle" for chasing another piece of hardware in Columbus.
Brett Sterling Colorado College Junior \| Forward	Statistics: 42 GP, 34-29—63 Why he could win: A goal scorer who's not afraid to get his hands dirty in the process, Sterling has a great blend of toughness and skill. And voters desperately seeking differentiation between him and his linemate, Sertich, would have liked what they saw at the WCHA Final Five, when he was the MVP. Why he might not: See Sertich, Marty.

The Hobey Baker Award's 10 finalists are determined by vote of the nation's head coaches, who select the top three players in their conference and the top three players in the nation. Online fan voting also contributes to the determination. A selection committee votes on the winner of the award from among the 10 finalists.

The winner will be revealed on Friday, April 8, at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.

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