While it is uncommon for a sophomore to be nominated for the Hobey Baker Award, it is even more unusual to win the prize. North Dakota forward Ryan Duncan became only the third sophomore player in the award’s history to be recognized as college hockey’s top performer. The high-scoring forward from Calgary, Alberta, helped the Fighting Sioux to their third straight NCAA Frozen Four appearance. In 43 games, the diminutive Duncan (5’8 and 155 pounds) scored 31 goals, second best in the nation, and had 26 assists for 57 points, making him fourth in the nation in scoring. Those efforts helped North Dakota to a 17-4-4 run that season as one of college hockey’s hottest teams. In addition to receiving the Hobey Baker Award, Duncan was named WCHA Player of the Year, First Team WCHA, and a first team West All American. Duncan was a business major and a WCHA All Academic student-athlete with a 3.20 GPA. A pro hockey free agent, he returned for his final two seasons at North Dakota, and then spent two seasons with Salzburg of the Austrian Elite League. He spent the 2011-12 season with Portland in the AHL and returned to Salzburg for the 2012-13 season. Now in 2013-14, he is playing for Munich in the German elite league.
Top Ten:
Player Stats
| Type | Season | Team Name | League | Goals | Assists | Points | PIM | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobey Winning Season | 2006-2007 | Univ. of North Dakota | NCAA | 31 | 26 | 57 | 34 | 14 |
2007 Runner Up
Notre Dame won their first ever CCHA regular season title largely because of sensational goaltending from Brown. He shaved almost a goal a game off his average of a year ago earning a stingy 1.64 goals against average – best in the nation. His save percentage of .928 was sixth-best in the nation and he tossed in five shutouts, third-best in the country. He won the CCHA Goalie Award, was named First Team CCHA and was a finalist for Player of the Year.
- Record of 27-5-3 – has most wins in nation – played fifth-most minutes in nation
- Management Consulting major – volunteers with Buddy Walk and reading to kids
- Drafted by Pittsburgh – owns seven career and single season school records
