Photo by Andrew Knapik/MiHockey

Kyle Connor makes Hobey Hat Trick list, one of three finalists for award

Photo by Andrew Knapik/MiHockey
Photo by Andrew Knapik/MiHockey

 

By @MichaelCaples –

The Hobey Hat Trick list is out, and Kyle Connor’s the last Michigan name left in the voting process to decide the best player in college hockey.

Connor – who posted an NCAA-best 71 points this season as a freshman – is joined by Boston College goaltender (and NTDP alum) Thatcher Demko and Harvard forward Jimmy Vesey.

Two other Michigan players have been named top finalists for the award – Kevin Porter (2008) and Brendan Morrison (1997). Both went on to win the Hobey Baker in their respective years.

Michigan forwards JT Compher and Tyler Motte (St. Clair) joined Connor on the Hobey Baker Top 10 finalists list, but they did not make the final three.

Compher, Motte and Connor made up the ‘CCM Line’ – one of the most prolific lines in Michigan history. They were the first full forward line to all be named Hobey Baker Award finalists.

Connor, a Winnipeg Jets first-round pick, was named Big Ten player and rookie of the year after a dominating first season in Michigan which saw him post 35 goals and 36 assists. The Shelby Township native recorded points in 35 of his 38 games this season.