Austin grad Tim Kirby is Hobey Baker finalist
Published 9:44 pm Thursday, March 15, 2012
An Austin grad is among the ten finalists who have been announced for the 2012 Hobey Baker Memorial Award honoring college hockey’s top player.
Austin’s Tim Kirby, who is a senior at Air Force Academy is one of the 10 finalists.
According to Air Force’s Web Site, Kirby is tied for third in the nation in goals by a defenseman with 12 and is 16th in the nation in points by a defenseman with 27 (0.75 per game) (12-15-27). He has scored in 21 of the 36 games, tied as the most on the team. Twelve of his 15 assists this season were first assists. Kirby leads Atlantic Hockey in points by a defenseman in all games (0.75 per game). He has played in every game in his career, breaking the Air Force Academy record with 152 consecutive games played. He ranks ninth in school history for points by a defenseman (26-61-87). His 26 career goals are the fifth most in school history among defensemen.
Kirby is the third Falcon in school history, and the third in the last six years, to be named a finalist. Eric Ehn was a finalist, and also named to the Hobey Hat Trick as one of three finalists, in 2007. Jacques Lamoureux was one of 10 finalists in 2009.
The Falcons (19-10-7 overall) are coming of a 2-1 series win over the University of Connecticut in the AHA quarterfinals and they will play Meryhurst in the AHA semifinals March 16 in Rochester, N.Y.
They other finalists are Maine senior forward Spencer Abbott; Minnesota-Duluth senior forward Jack Connolly; Boston College junior defenseman Brian Dumoulin; Union sophomore goaltender Troy Grosenick; Michigan senior goalie Shawn Hunwick; Michigan State junior defenseman Torey Krug; Wisconsin junior defenseman Justin Schultz; Colgate senior forward Austin Smith; and Miami junior forward Reilly Smith.
Three of the nominees are from CCHA schools. Two each are from the ECAC, Hockey East and WCHA, and one is from the AHA.
The 10 were selected by voting from Division I head coaches and by fans.
Three finalists will be announced March 29. The winner will be announced April 6 during the NCAA Frozen Four.
