Lessard, the Bulldogs’ alternate captain, became the seventh Bulldog to be named a Hobey Baker finalist. Lessard came away with top honors in the WCHA by securing a spot on the All-WCHA First Team, and claimed the illustrious honor of WCHA Player of the year for 2003-04. Lessard helped the Bulldogs advance to the Frozen Four for the first time in 11 years, and was rewarded for his efforts by being named to the NCAA Midwest All-Regional Tournament Team. He led the nation in points (61) and in goals (30). He was the WCHA co-scoring leader with 19 goals and 20 assists in league play. He also tied for second in the NCAA in power play goals (12) and ranked fourth in the NCAA in points per game at (1.46). His prolific goal scoring helped secure UMD to its highest (second) and the best regular season finish (23-10-4) in 11 years. Not withstanding his scoring ability, he was a +22 plus-minus on the season. After spending his first five years of pro hockey split between the NHL (Dallas, Tampa Bay) and several AHL teams, Lessard spent one season playing in Europe, and spent 2010-11 with Idaho in the ECHL. He has retired from pro hockey and resides in his hometown of St. Joseph deBeauce, Quebec.
Top Ten:
Player Stats
| Type | Season | Team Name | League | Goals | Assists | Points | PIM | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Season | 2024-2025 | St-Joseph Familiprix | LHCS | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Hobey Winning Season | 2003-2004 | Univ. of Minnesota-Duluth | NCAA | 32 | 31 | 63 | 34 |
2004 Runner Up
In 2004, goaltender Yann Danis of Brown University was named a “Hobey Hat Trick” finalist for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award, recognizing him as one of the top three players in NCAA men’s ice hockey that season. Danis delivered a stellar senior campaign, posting a 1.81 goals-against average and a .942 save percentage—one of the highest in the nation. His calm, consistent presence in net helped Brown remain competitive throughout the season, and he earned widespread respect for his technical skill, discipline, and leadership. Danis’s selection as a finalist highlighted the impact a dominant goaltender can have at the collegiate level and underscored his commitment to both athletic excellence and academic achievement.
