VOTE FOR HOBEY BAKER

Fan voting for the Hobey Baker Award has begun and senior Austin Smith is on this year's ballot and fans can cast their vote each day for the nation's top college hockey player.

Awarded annually to college hockey's top player, the Hobey Baker's highly popular fan-voting phase opens on Monday, Jan. 9. Visit the Hobey Baker website: hobeybakeraward.com.  Click on the Vote for Hobey Baker link at the top of the page and make your selection for Smith.  Please spend some additional time to check out the website as well.

This first phase of fan balloting will run now through March 4, 2012.  Phase two of fan balloting will begin on March 16 from the list of Top Ten Hobey Baker finalists.  The fans' vote accounts for a full 1 percent of the total ballot in each phase in selecting this year's award recipient.

Award criteria include candidates emulating the exceptional character traits exhibited by the award's namesake, Hobey Baker, a World War I flying star better known as America's greatest amateur athlete in his day.  Award candidates must demonstrate strength of character both on and off the ice, contribute to the integrity of his team and display outstanding skills in all phases of the game.  Consideration should be given to scholastic achievement and sportsmanship.

Key Hobey Baker announcement dates for 2012 include:

    * Top Ten list of candidates:  March 15
    * Hobey Hat Trick of three finalists:  March 29
    * Hobey Baker Award announcement:  April 6

The 2012 Hobey Baker Award winner will be announced from a field of three Hobey Hat Trick finalists on Friday, April 6, 2012 during the NCAA Frozen Four Championships in St. Petersburg, FL.  The 32nd annual award announcement honoring college hockey's top player will be televised live.  For more info on the Hobey Baker Award or to access the Hobey logo, please visit hobeybakeraward.com.