Countdown to Hobey:
DuluthYear: 2012See School Profile Page

As captain of the defending national champions, Jack Connolly had a fantastic season winning the WCHA scoring title, being named a First Team all-star for the third straight season, and capping it off as the league’s Player of the Year. A three-time All American, Connolly was second in the nation in points and assists, accumulating 20 goals and 40 assists for 60 points in 41 games. Connolly never missed a college game and played in 166 straight. He was held pointless in consecutive games only twice in his four-year career, and had a team record 22 game point streak in his Hobey Baker season. Tremendous skill as a playmaking center defined Jack’s game, as he had an innate ability to see the ice and make smooth, intelligent puck decisions. He was a Communications major with a 3.3 GPA. Hockey runs deep in the Connolly family as Jack’s older brother Chris, was the captain and second leading scorer for Boston University the same season. Jack turned pro and is now in his fourth season in Sweden, currently with Rogle BK based in Angelholm.

Top Ten:

A repeat finalist from the defending national champions, Connelly is right behind Abbott in the national scoring race with 56 points. A two-time All American, the hometown hero had an encore performance winning the WCHA scoring title, named a First Team all-star for the third straight year and topping it off as Player of the Year. Connolly has been held pointless for more than one game in a row only twice in his four year career.
• Has played 161 consecutive games – never missed a college game - 8 power play goals
• Had team record 22-game point streak – 18 goals, 38 assists for 56 points in 38 games
• Active community volunteer – Communications major with 3.3 GPA

Player Stats

Type Season Team Name League Goals Assists Points PIM +/-
Hobey Winning Season2011-2012Univ. of Minnesota-DuluthNCAA2040602820

2012 Runner Up

Spencer Abbott
Maine

Heading into conference tournaments, Abbott leads the nation in scoring with 59 points in 37 games on 20 goals and 39 assists.  A finalist for several league awards including Hockey East Player of the Year, he has twice been player of the month. Maine has had one of the top power plays in the nation and Abbott is a key component.

  • Led Hockey East in conference points – 3 Black Bears in top 3 conference scoring
  • Has 17 multiple point games – Active in team community service activities
  • Family Relations major – Dean’s List three times
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Austin Smith
Colgate

Looking for goals, Smith struck for 30 tallies faster than any college hockey player in the last 12 years.  The nation’s leading goal scorer with 36, he has nine more than his closest rival.  He’s currently tied for second in the nation in points and is a finalist for Player of the Year in the ECAC after already claiming the conference scoring title.  Smith has recorded points in all but three games this year.

  • Has 6 short-handed goals, most in the nation – fifth in the nation with 5 game winners
  • Dallas draft pick (5th round) – has scored 36 goals, 20 assists for 56 points in 37 games
  • Sociology and Anthropology major – helps out with Hamilton Food Cupboard
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Top 10 Finalists