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Brückler for Hobey

Wisconsin netminder Bernd Brückler was recently named as a candidate for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award, which is annually given to college hockey’s premiere player. Until March 7, fans can vote for Brückler on the award’s website (www.voteforhobey.com). Brückler, who as of Wednesday was in the top 30 in fan-voting, must make it into the top-10 to become a finalist for the award.

Once the field is narrowed to 10 candidates, a Selection Committee takes over the process. This committee is composed of print media, electronic media, NHL scouts, supervising officials, college hockey coaches and a representative of USA Hockey. Voters are spread out among the hockey-playing section of the United States.

Fans are again included in this round of voting, with the top voter selections joining the Selection Committee’s choices in determining the Hobey Baker Memorial Award winner.

The winner of the award will be announced at the 2004 NCAA Frozen Four.

Brückler, a junior, is a four-time 2003?04 WCHA Defensive Player of the Week and has been named the USCHO.com national defensive player of the week once. He currently leads the WCHA with a .924 save percentage and a 2.25 goals against average in league-play.

Wisconsin has had six different players become finalists for the Hobey Baker since the award was created in 1981. Most recently, Danny Heatley was a finalist for the award in both 2001 and 2000. Prior to Heatley, Steve Reinprecht (1999), Duane Derksen (1992), Paul Ranheim (1988), Tony Granato (1987) and John Newberry (1982) were each among the top 10.

-compiled from staff reports