The best player in college hockey’s toughest conference was not named among the NCAA’s top three players Thursday. University of Denver senior defenseman Joey LaLeggia was not named a Hobey Baker Award Hat Trick finalist.
Forward Jack Eichel of Boston University, forward Jimmy Vessy of Harvard and North Dakota goalie Zane McIntyre made the final cut.
LaLeggia, who recently graduated from DU and , was previously named the National Collegiate Hockey Conference player of the year, defenseman of the year and offensive-defenseman of the year. He is tied for first in points-per-game among NCAA defensemen (40) and tied for first for in goals (15). He is the third most prolific scorer among defensemen in DU history.
McIntryre and LaLeggia were first-team all-NCHC, which sent six of its eight teams to the NCAA Tournament.
LaLeggia’s exclusion in the East Regional championship Sunday that . LaLeggia was disqualified from the game and would have been suspended for the April 9 Frozen Four semifinal if Denver had won.
Mike Chambers: mchambers@denverpost.com or
