10 Finalists Fight for Hobey

The 1986 Hobey Baker Award will be given to the most outstanding college hockey player in Division I March 27 or 28 at the NCAA Final Four at the Providence Civic Center.

Ten finalists for the honor have been chosen by balloting of all Division I coaches. The winner will be selected by an anonymous 12-member panel consisting of representatives of daily newspapers, monthly magazines, the electronic media, the Amateur Hockey Association of the United States, NCAA coaches, and National Hockey League scouts.

A year ago, Bill Watson of the University of Minnesota-Duluth took the award, which is presented annually by the Decathalon Athletic Club in Bloomington, Minn. The official criteria for the award are athletic ability, scholastic achievement and leadership.

The 10 Finalists

Scott Fusco, senior, center, Harvard, 5-ft., 9-in., 175-lb., 27 games, 21 goals-36 assists--57 points, drafted by New Jersey (rights traded to Hartford).

Fusco was one of two runners-up to Watson in last year's balloting. He is the Harvard captain and the school's all-time leading scorer.

His 104 goals and 229 points are school records. He needs needs three assists to break the Harvard mark of 127. He is second on New England's all-time scoring list to Ralph Cox of the University of New Hampshire, who finished his career with 243 points in 1979.

In his first three seasons, Fusco led Harvard to the NCAA Tournament, and in 1983-'84, he played for the United States Olympic Team at the XIVth Winter Olympiad in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia.

He should be named ECAC Player of the Year for the second consecutive season tomorrow. He has claimed two straight conference scoring titles and in the course of winning three Ivy League scoring crowns, he has helped the Crimson claim four Ivy titles.

Prior to this season, Fusco had already been named All-ECAC twice and All-Ivy three times.

Last season, Fusco was named an All-American and enjoyed the the second finest single-season in Harvard history with 81 points and he finished second in the national scoring race.

Fusco's older brother Mark '83, who played in the National Hockey League for the Hartford Whalers, claimed the Hobey in 1983, the year the Crimson advanced to the NCAA finals.

Mike Donnelly, senior, left wing, Michigan State, 5-ft., 11-in., 185-lb., 40 games, 54-34--88, a free agent.

Career: 152 games, 105-82--187. His 54 goals this year are a school and WCHA record. Scored goals in 16 straight games (another school record) and points in 38 straight. 24 power-play goals and four game winners.

Dan Dorion, senior, right wing, Western Michigan, 5-ft., 8-in., 169-lb., 40 games, 40-61--101, drafted by New Jersey.

Career: 155 games, 113-177--290. Sixty-one assists this year are school record and 101 points this season are school and WCHA records. School marks in career goals, assists, and points and latter two are also WCHA marks. Leads nation with 2.68 points per game.

"What's most impressive to me," Bowling Green Coach Jerry York says, "is his electric offensive play. It's very rare to find a hockey player that plays from goal-line to goal-line. He's very consistent in this ability."

Gary Emmons, junior, center, Northern Michigan, 5-ft., 9-in., 168-lb., 36 games, 45-30--75, a free agent.

Career: 116 games, 98-79--177. 45 overall goals this year and 21 on the power-play are both school records. Set national record by scoring a goal in 18 straight games. Set WCHA record with a six-goal game. Once scored two goals in 11-second span. Missed final three games this year with leg injury. CCHA Rookie of the Year in 1983-'84.

"He does more of it [scoring]," Northern Michigan Coach Rick Comley says, "and does it faster."

Dallas Gaume, senior, center, Denver, 5-ft., 10-in., 180-lb., 41 games, 31-63--94, a free agent.

Career: 139 games, 77-184--261. Holds school season and career assists and total point marks and tied WCHA point record this year. Three-time WCHA player of week this year. Has posted points in past 24 consecutive games.

"He's as good as some in the NHL right now," Denver Coach Ralph Backstrom says.

Scott Harlow, senior, left wing, Boston College, 6-ft., 190-lb., 38 games, 37-37--74, drafted by Montreal.

Career: 145 games, 104-114--218. Career total points is school record. Has scored 15 power-play goals and turned six hat tricks this season.

"His forte is his great stick," B.C. Assistant Coach John Conceison says, "and his ability to steal the puck as well as his special team play and power-play contributions. He is the team leader, setting and enforcing curfew for the team. He's an all-around improved player."

Brett Hull, sophomore, right wing, Minnesota-Duluth, 5-ft., 11-in., 200-lb., 42 games, 52-32--84, drafted by Calgary.

Career: 90 games, 84-60--144. His 52 goals and 20 power-play tallies this year are school records. Has five game-winning goals. WCHA Freshman of the Year last season. May turn pro after this year. Youngest of 10 Hobey finalists. Son of NHL legend Bobby Hull.

"Insiders say he is the most gifted shooter in college hockey," UMD Sports Information Director Bob Nygaard reports, "but he needs work defensively.

Norm Maciver, senior, defenseman, Minnesota-Duluth, 5-ft., 10-in., 165-lb., 42 games, 11-51--62, a free agent.

Career: 165 games, 39-152--191. Career assists are school record and 191 points are one shy of school record for defenseman. Has 28 career power-play goals. Won All-WCHA and All-American honors in 1984-'85. May be too small to make it in the NHL.

Scott Sandelin, senior, defenseman, North Dakota, 6-ft., 190-lb., 40 games, 7-31--38, drafted by Montreal.

"He is the best college defenseman in the country this year," North Dakota Coach Gino Gasparini says."

Chris Terreri, senior, goaltender, Providence College, 5-ft., 9-in., 160-lb., 8-16-0 record, 3.84 goals-against average, 90.1 save percentage, drafted by New Jersey.

Most Valuable Player of last year's NCAA tournament with 62 saves in semifinal game which P.C. won 4-3. Kicked out 65 shots in Hockey East Tournament game against Boston College in 1985. Missed 12 games early in the season with an ankle injury.

"He's been a real thorn in our sides," Boston College Assistant Coach Concierson says. "He doesn't need any introduction to our players."