Many referred to Johnny Gaudreau (pronounced GOO-dreau), as Johnny Hockey and for a very good reason. He tore through the college hockey season averaging two points per game, putting up 80 points in 40 games to record the highest point total in Division I college hockey in 11 years.

Gaudreau lit up everyone, recording points in all but two games, including a 31-game point streak to tie a Hockey East record (Paul Kariya, Maine, 1993). Two was his lucky number: two-time Hockey East scoring champion, two-time Hockey East Player of the Year, two-time all- conference, two-time First Team All American and two-time Hobey Baker hat-trick finalist. Gaudreau completed his Hobey season leading the nation in goals (36), assists (44), points (80) and was second in plus-minus (+42). He saved his best for last – in 3 NCAA playoff games, Johnny had 4 goals and 7 assists.

A communications major, Gaudreau signed a professional contract with the team who drafted him, the Calgary Flames and became just the fifth player in NHL history to score a goal on his first shot in his first NHL game. Off the ice, Johnny spent time visiting elementary schools and mentoring a special needs team. In his first NHL season (2014-15), Gaudreau scored 24 goals and 40 assists in 80 games and was a finalist for the Calder Trophy as NHL Rookie of the Year.

2014 RUNNER-UPS

GREG CAREY

St. Lawrence University
Senior, Forward, Hamilton, Ontario

A repeat Hobey Baker top ten finalist, Carey can now include a Hobey hat trick finalist to his resume. Last year, he led the nation in goals and this year he finished tied for second in the nation in assists (39) and first in power play points (31). Carey has led the Saints in scoring four straight years and repeats as scoring champion in the ECAC. He scored 18 goals and 39 assists for 57 points in 38 games and finished third in the nation in scoring. For the second straight year he was First Team all-conference in the ECAC and added co-Player of the Year honors and was also a finalist for Student-Athlete of the Year. Carey was named a First Team All-American following Second Team honors a year ago. He has been an All-Academic student all four years majoring in history with a 3.68 GPA. He signed professionally as a free agent with the Phoenix Coyotes. Carey has been a member of the school’s advisory committee on athletics and participates with the Saints Kids Club and helped organize the annual Teddy Bear toss.

NIC DOWD

St. Cloud State University
Senior, Forward, Huntsville, Alabama

Renowned as a solid two-way player, Dowd was a big part of St. Cloud State clinching the first ever NCHC regular season title. Dowd, captain of the Huskies follows in the footsteps of ex-teammate Drew LeBlanc, last year’s Hobey Baker Award winner. Dowd was honored with three league awards: First Team all-conference, Defensive Forward of the Year and Scholar-Athlete of the Year. He finished second on the Huskies in points, scoring 22 goals and 18 assists for 40 points in 38 games and finished tied for eighth in the nation in goals. Effective on the man-advantage, Dowd bagged 10 power play goals tying him for fifth in the nation and chipped in with five game winning goals, including the overtime winner in St. Cloud’s West Regional semifinal. Dowd signed professionally with the team that drafted him the Los Angeles Kings (7th round). Dowd is a bio-medicine major carrying a 3.61 GPA. He has worked with the school’s Student Advisory Council and assists with new student move-ins, organized the Locks of Love campaign last year with his teammates and has helped out with the local Humane Society.

2014 ADDITIONAL TOP 10 FINALISTS

JOSH ARCHIBALD

University of Nebraska-Omaha
Junior, Forward, Brainerd, Minnesota

A dangerous offensive threat, Archibald became the first ever scoring champion of the new NCHC recording 32 points in 24 conference games. His constant ability to score goals saw him finish third in the nation in goal scoring (29) in 37 games. Named First Team all-conference, he was named the circuit’s Player of the Year and Forward of the Year. His coach Dean Blais, also coached his dad Jim at North Dakota.

  • Had 29 goals, 14 assists for 43 points in 37 games – had 6 game-winners and 8 power play goals – named First Team All-American
  • General Studies major – regular visitor to Children’s Hospital and Adopt A Family
  • Pittsburgh draft pick (6th round) and signed a pro contract after the season

RYAN DZINGEL

Ohio State University
Junior, Forward, Wheaton, Illinois

Led the new Big Ten conference in points with 24 in 20 games; overall, he led the conference in points, tied for the lead in goals and was third in assists. Among the many offensive categories he topped the circuit in power play points with 18. A First Team all-conference performer, Dzingel can dangle with the best of them and had 13 multiple point games. He was also named First Team All-American.

  • Had 22 goals, 24 assists for 46 points in 37 games, tied for 12th in the nation in scoring
  • Communications major – Ottawa draft pick (7th round) and signed a pro contract after the season
  • Active in community events visiting James Cancer Hospital, a Buckeye Buddy and assisting youth hockey teams

SHAYNE GOSTISBEHERE

Union College
Junior, Defense, Margate, Florida

(Pronounced GOSS-tiss-bear) The smooth, puck-handling defenseman helped Union to their first national championship. That followed ECAC regular season and playoff titles. Gostisbehere topped all college hockey players in the Hobey Baker fan ballot. An assistant captain, Gostisbehere ranked fourth in the nation in points by a defenseman (34) and topped the Dutchmen in shots on goal. He earned several league honors including First Team all-conference and was co-Player of the Year and co-Defensive Defenseman in the ECAC, as well as First Team All-American honors, following his Second Team nomination last year.

  • Had 9 goals, 25 assists for 34 points in 42 games – was 3rd in ECAC in points by defense
  • Philadelphia draft pick (3rd round) and signed a pro contract after the season – History major
  • Community work includes serving Thanksgiving meals, trash pickup, book drive

KEVIN HAYES

Boston College
Senior, Forward, Dorchester, Massachusetts

A linemate of Gaudreau, Hayes finished second in the nation in points and more than tripled his goal output from the previous season. His plus-minus of +34 was third in the nation as he averaged more than one and a half points per game. Hayes collected points in 12 straight outings mid-season, and was named the MVP of the historic Beanpot Tournament. He was fifth in the nation in goals and fourth in assists.

  • Had 27 goals, 38 assists for 65 points in 40 games – had 6 game-winning goals
  • Chicago draft pick (1st round) – Communications major – does school visits and assists with Christmas toy drive
  • Recorded points in 32 of 40 games – named First Team all-conference and First Team All-American

CJ MOTTE

Ferris State University
Junior, Goalie, St. Clair, Michigan

The newly remodeled WCHA found Ferris atop the league thanks to Motte and his 28 wins, tying him for the national lead. Ferris was ranked in the top five in the country for 15 weeks, propelled by a 16-game unbeaten streak and Motte didn’t lose a game in the first half of the season. A First Team all-conference selection, Motte has helped Ferris to two regular season titles in three years.

  • Had a record of 28-9-3 with 5 shutouts – .928 save percentage was 11th in the nation
  • Had a goals against average of 2.17 – honored as WCHA Defensive Player of Week 6 times
  • Construction Management major – active in several community causes visiting schools, helping with cancer fund raisers and part of the team leadership initiative

JOEL RUMPEL

University of Wisconsin
Junior, Goalie, Swift Current, Saskatchewan

Coming back from an early season injury, Rumpel turned the Badgers into Big Ten contenders and helped them win the Big Ten playoff title. Named Second Team all-conference, he defined consistency throughout the season becoming the backbone of Wisconsin’s stingy team defense. Rumpel finished second in the conference in goals against average and save percentage.

  • Had a record of 21-6-1 with two shutouts – had a goals against average of 2.07
  • .929 save percentage was tied 6th in nation – led WCHA last year with same .929 SP
  • Personal Finance major – Children’s Hospital visits, Adopt-A-Player program

ADAM WILCOX

University of Minnesota
Sophomore, Goalie, South St. Paul, Minnesota

Numerous conference honors were awarded to Wilcox including Big Ten Player of the Year, Goalie of the Year and First Team all-conference. He finished fourth in the nation in goals against average and second in save percentage, he was instrumental in the Gophers 16-week stay atop the national rankings. In 28 of 38 games played, he allowed two goals or less. Wilcox was also named a Second Team All-American.

  • Had a record of 26-6-6 with four shutouts – his .932 save percentage was 2nd in nation
  • Goals against average of 1.97 was 4th in nation – first in Big Ten in GAA and SP
  • Has posted top two single season goals against averages in 93-year Gopher history – is a Tampa Bay draft (6th) – Business major with 3.46 GPA – helps with Defend the Blueline