Trail native Jake Lucchini has been nominated for the Hobey Baker Award, given to the top player in NCAA Div. 1 hockey.
The Michigan Tech Huskies captain is one of 80 players nominated and the former Trail Smoke Eater captain has proven an inspiring leader for the Huskies, just as he was for Trail.
Lucchini was tops on the team in scoring last season (16-23-39) and is again this year with seven goals and 20 points in 24 games. The Huskies senior had an impressive start to the season and was named WCHA Forward of the Week on Nov. 13, and then earned Offensive Player of the Month for November.
Related read: Lucchini earns PoW, Trail players put up big numbers
In his Junior year, he won almost every offensive award in 2017-18, including the Gary Crosby Memorial Award as team leading scorer, was named to the NCAA East Region All-tournament Team, received the WCHA Offensive Player of the Month for March, and was named to the WCHA All-Academic Team.
In addition, Lucchini racked up six points in the WCHA First Round Playoff series at Bemidji State with three goals and three assists, he led the team in power-play goals (6), game-winning goals (3), and shorthanded goals (1) and ranked third on the team with a plus-11 rating. Lucchini also attended the Pittsburgh Penguins Annual Prospect Development Camp in June.
The Hobey Baker Award is voted on by the public until Mar. 10. The top 10 move on to the next selection round, which is further pared down to the top three. Criteria for the award include: exhibit strength and character, both on and off the ice; contribute to the integrity of the team; display outstanding skills in all phases of the game; show scholastic achievement and sportsmanship.
A 27-member Selection Committee and an additional round of fan balloting will determine this year’s Hobey Baker winner through the Hobey website at www.hobeybaker.com. So go online and vote for Jake today.
sports@trailtimes.ca
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