Wisconsin’s Blake Geoffrion wins Hobey Baker Award

Geoffrion wins Hobey Baker Award

DETROIT — Wisconsin forward Blake Geoffrion, the grandson of Hockey Hall of Famer Bernie “Boom Boom” Geoffrion, received the Hobey Baker Memorial Award on Friday night as college hockey’s top player.

Geoffrion has helped lead Wisconsin to the NCAA championship game Saturday night against Boston College. He has 28 goals and 22 assists in 39 games this season.

Geoffrion’s great grandfather, Howie Morenz, also is in the Hall of Fame, and his father, Danny, also played in the NHL.

“I’ve got a little something,” Geoffrion said. “My father is in the hockey hall of shame, sorry dad, and my grandfather and great grandfather are both in the Hall of Fame. I don’t think this compares to their accomplishments.

“My family’s pretty much natural goal scorers … I have 28 goals this year, but they’re not necessarily the prettiest goals …I’m a little different player.

Wisconsin coach Mike Eaves said Geoffrion excels in all parts of the game.

“The thing Blake brings to the table is his balance across the board. His ability to play in all situations,” Eaves said. “He’s a guy that’s going to be on the ice when we’re up by a goal and when we’re down by a goal.”

Geoffrion, a second-round pick of the Nashville Predators in 2006, is the first Wisconsin player to win the Hobey Baker.

Maine sophomore forward Gustav Nyquist and New Hampshire senior forward Bobby Butler were the other finalists. Nyquist led the country with 61 points and 42 assists in 39 games and Butler led the nation with 29 goals and added 24 assists in 39 games.

Nyquist, a fourth-round draft pick of the Detroit Red Wings, said he will return to Maine for his junior season, while Butler recently signed with the Ottawa Senators.

Also, Colgate’s Ethan Cox won the Hockey Humanitarian Award for his philanthropic work, Brown senior forward Jordan Pietrus received the Derek Hines Unsung Hero Award and Merrimack freshman forward Stephane Da Costa was the National College Rookie of the Year.