Hartzell Named Top Ten Hobey Baker Finalist

Former Sioux Falls Stampede goaltender Eric Hartzell has been named a Top Ten Finalist for the Hobey Baker Award which is presented to the most outstanding collegiate hockey player.

Former Stampede stars Jack Connolly and Marty Sertich are past award winners. Connolly won the Hobey Baker last season and Sertich earned the honors in 2005.

Hartzell is currently a senior at Quinnipiac where he has already led the Bobcats to an ECAC regular season championship and the #2 ranking in the country.

In addition, Hartzell has also been named ECAC Hockey Player of the Year and Goalie of the Year. He is currently 26-5-5 for a .792 winning percentage, good for second in the country. Hartzell also boasts a 1.50 goals against average (3rd NCAA) and a .935 save percentage (T7th NCAA). Hartzell was a three-time ECAC Hockey Goalie of the Month (November, December, January) and a two-time Goalie of the Week (Dec. 4, Jan. 9). Hartzell was also featured in Sports Illustrated's "Faces In The Crowd" which highlights the top amateur athletes on a weekly basis.

The ten Hobey Baker finalists were selected by voting from all 59 Division I college hockey head coaches and by online fan balloting at www.hobeybakeraward.com. Next, the 23-member Selection Committee and an additional round of fan balloting will determine this year’s Hobey Baker winner. Criteria for the award include: displaying outstanding skills in all phases of the game, strength of character on and off the ice, sportsmanship and scholastic achievements.

The Hobey Hat Trick (three finalists) will be announced on April 3, 2013 and the Hobey Baker Award winner will be announced Friday, April 12, 2013 from Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, PA during the NCAA Frozen Four. The award announcement will be televised live on NHL Network or live on the Hobey Baker website at 5:00 p.m. (Central Time).

Hartzell and Quinnipiac return to action Friday afternoon when they face Brown in the ECAC semi-finals at 3 PM.

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Courtesy:  Sioux Falls Stampede