The 3 finalists for the Hobey Baker were announced and Doug Murray is not among them. Maybe next year.....
http://uscollegehockey.com/news/2002/03/27_004340.php
I'd hardly take it as a slight against Dougie that he's not a finalist. All three guys who are, are incredible players. We all (or at least, many of us) saw Haydar this past weekend and can vouch for his skills, and Hartigan's the one guy in college hockey this year who might be better. Leopold, well, he didn't lead his team in scoring like Murray did, but they're in the Frozen Four, and from everything I've heard, he's an awesome player.
On a happier note, if Leopold can be a finalist as a defenseman, Murray could have a real shot next year. In all honesty, if the Red are as dominant as many of us think they can be, he has a real shot at it. Just another something to look forward to.
Hmmm. So this is the first time I remember them announcing finalists from the original 10 "finalists." My guess would be that since the NCAA hockey people are so concerned with terrorists (see the debate about the regionals) they didn't want all 10 "finalists" to travel with their coaches all the way to St. Paul.
I attended the Hobey ceremony in Albany last year, and they played a video with a brief bio of each of the 10 finalists. Will they do that this year and feature Murray, or with this 2nd round of finalists be the only ones? 'taint fair I tell ya...
And I think everyone pretty much expected it to come down between Haydar and Hartigan this year. (I really don't think Leopold has a chance.)
Haydar and Hartigan have 75 and 76 points. While we all know there's more to hockey than points did anyone actually think Murray would win with 32? Thee things usually go by the numbers, esp. when the disparity is so large.
Still, being a Finalist is a pretty big honor. And I still consider Doug a finalist, even if he's not one of the final-finalists.
If Murray gets near the NCAA leaders in points per game next season, then yeah I'd say he'll have a shot. Otherwise, no, of course not.