It’s time now for college hockey fans everywhere to get in on the act.  No, not just by supporting your favorite college team, but by casting your vote as to who will be this year’s Hobey Baker Award winner as the best player in college hockey.

The highly popular fan-voting phase is now open by visiting the Hobey Baker website: hobeybaker.com.  Click on the Vote for Hobey Baker icon and follow the prompts to make your selection from this year’s outstanding crop of college hockey players.

This first phase of fan balloting will run now through March 9, 2008.  Phase two of fan balloting will then begin on March 20 from the list of Top Ten Hobey Baker finalists.  The fans’ vote accounts for a full 1% of the total ballot in each phase in selecting this year’s award recipient.

Award criteria include candidates mimicking the superlative character traits put forth by the award’s namesake, Hobey Baker, a World War I flying star better known as America’s greatest amateur athlete in his day.  Award candidates must exhibit strength of character both on and off the ice, contribute to the integrity of his team and display outstanding skills in all phases of the game.  Consideration should be given to scholastic achievement and sportsmanship. 

Key Hobey Baker announcement dates for 2008 include:
• Top Ten list of candidates:  March 20
• Hobey Hat Trick of three finalists:  April 2
• Hobey Baker Award winner:  April 11

The 2008 Hobey Baker Award winner will be announced from a field of three Hobey Hat Trick finalists on Friday, April 11, 2008 during the NCAA Frozen Four Championships in Denver, Colo.  The 28th annual award announcement honoring college hockey’s top player will be televised live during prime time on ESPNU.

Due to voting irregularities in the final phase of Vote For Hobey (VFH), VFH has been restarted effective immediately and will run through 12:00 AM (Midnight) on Sunday, March 30.  Automated or programmed voting is not allowed.  In the spirit of Hobey Baker himself, all voting should be conducted in an honest and ethical manner.  If further automated voting is evidenced, then the fan vote will not be included in this year’s selection process.   We thank all college hockey fans for participating in this year’s Vote For Hobey.

Phase II voting will begin on March 20 after the top ten finalists are announced.