Schultz, Zengerle nominees for Hobey fan vote
January 10, 2012 | Men's Hockey
Jan. 10, 2012
MADISON, Wis. -- Junior Justin Schultz, the nation's leading scorer among defensemen who sits just one point off the national scoring lead for all players, as well as sophomore forward Mark Zengerle, who has points in 19 consecutive games, are among the listed nominees for the 2012 Hobey Baker Memorial Award fan vote.
Awarded annually to college hockey's top player, the Hobey Baker's highly popular fan-voting phase opens on Monday, Jan. 9.
Visit the Hobey Baker website: hobeybakeraward.com.
Click on the Vote for Hobey link on the left side of the screen to make your selection from this year's outstanding crop of 77 college hockey players.
Schultz, a first-team All-American in 2011 and one of two returning top-10 Hobey Baker Memorial Award top-10 finalists, boasts 11 goals and 32 points on the season. His 11 goals and 32 points are tops among the nation's defensemen, while his 32 total points are one off the national scoring lead for all skaters. Averaging 1.60 points per game, Schultz boasts point scoring streaks of 10 and seven games this season.
The West Kelowna, British Columbia native has been on the ice for 44 of Wisconsin's 65 goals, 19 of the UW's 24 power-play tallies and seven of the squad's nine game-winning goals.
After not scoring a point in Wisconsin's first game of the season, sophomore center Mark Zengerle has a point in every game since and is two games shy of current UW head coach Mike Eaves' school record of 21 consecutive games with a point. Zengerle boasts eight goals and 31 assists on the season, and shares the national lead with 23 assists. His 1.15 assists per game mark sits 0.01 behind the national leader. Zengerle's 1.55 points per game scoring average ranks fifth in the nation.
This first phase of fan balloting will run now through March 4, 2012. Phase two of fan balloting will begin on March 16 from the list of Top Ten Hobey Baker finalists. The fans' vote accounts for a full one percent of the total ballot in each phase in selecting this year's award recipient.
Award criteria include candidates emulating the exceptional character traits exhibited 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 demonstrate 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 2012 include:
• Top Ten list of candidates: March 15
• Hobey Hat Trick of three finalists: March 29
• Hobey Baker Award announcement: April 6
The 2012 Hobey Baker Award winner will be announced from a field of three Hobey Hat Trick finalists on Friday, April 6, 2012 during the NCAA Frozen Four Championships in St. Petersburg, FL. The 32nd annual award announcement honoring college hockey's top player will be televised live. For more info on the Hobey Baker Award or to access the Hobey logo, please visit hobeybakeraward.com.
