TEMPE, Ariz. – For the first time in program history, Sun Devil Hockey has two players nominated for the coveted Hobey Baker Memorial Award, which is annually awarded to college hockey's most valuable player.
Sophomore forward Johnny Walker and junior goaltender Joey Daccord are among 83 NCAA student-athletes up for the award.
Through 26 games, Walker continues his stronghold of the national lead in goals scored with 19 this season – three more than second best in the country – which he's held since Oct. 27 after a four-goal night against Nebraska Omaha. The Phoenix native scored 18 goals before the new year, putting him atop all NCAA players for goals scored during the 2018 calendar year with 31.
Eight of his goals have come on the power play, which is tied atop the country with Chase Priskie – a Washington Capitals' draftee from Quinnipiac University. Walker has totaled 27 points so far this season, which ranks him in a tie for sixth overall in the country. He started the season on a three-game goal streak, which carried over his streak to end the 2017-18 season to eight-straight games with a goal.
Answering the bell in big moments is also something Walker has prided himself on as a sophomore, as he's scored four-game winning goals – two coming in overtime on the road – and assisted on three other game-winners this season. Most notably was his game-winning goal in overtime against then-No. 6 Penn State in State College, giving the Sun Devil program its biggest victory to date. On Dec. 29, 2018, he also scored the game-tying goal with 28 seconds remaining against then-No. 3 Minnesota State to force overtime, which would result in a tie. Nine of his 19 goals have been scored in the third period, making for more than half coming in the third period or overtime.
Between the pipes for the Maroon and Gold, Daccord boasts a 16-9-1 record, .930 save percentage and 2.24 goals against average. Along with leading the country in wins, he also leads all NCAA goaltenders with six shutouts – two more than the next best. All four stats are already on pace to set program bests for a Sun Devil goaltender in a season.
The Ottawa Senators' draft pick is one of eight NCAA goalies to have started every game between the pipes for their respective team, and he leads all eight in wins, save percentage (tied for 1st), shutouts and saves. He is fifth among those eight in goals against average.
Daccord started the season with back-to-back shutouts against Alaska, with his recent three of the four coming against teams receiving votes in the USCHO polls at the time of the game.
Five times this season he has posted 40-plus saves in a game, with four of those resulting in a victory.
Along with his stellar play in the crease, Daccord also has an assist under his belt.
The Hobey Baker Memorial Award is open to fan vote between January 16 and March 10, and fans are able to vote once per day. The selection process for the award is broken into three parts. First, the head coaches of NCAA Division I schools nominate the top three players in their league and the top three players in the nation. College hockey fans can also vote online at this time—and fan voting can be an important factor in the balloting outcome. Price Waterhouse Coopers tabulates the votes and the top 10 candidates are announced.
Voting then commences for the "Hobey Hat Trick," which is a narrowing of the field from ten players to three, from which the winner is selected. The primary voting in this part of the process is by the Hobey Baker Memorial Award Selection Committee, a geographically balanced group of 27 individuals representing print and electronic sports media, college hockey coaches and officials, and NHL scouts. Fans may also vote online for their favorite candidate during this phase of the process.
After the three finalists for the award are announced ("Hobey Hat Trick"), the countdown begins toward the announcement of the award winner in a nationally televised ceremony.
There are four criteria against which nominees for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award are considered:
Sophomore forward Johnny Walker and junior goaltender Joey Daccord are among 83 NCAA student-athletes up for the award.
Through 26 games, Walker continues his stronghold of the national lead in goals scored with 19 this season – three more than second best in the country – which he's held since Oct. 27 after a four-goal night against Nebraska Omaha. The Phoenix native scored 18 goals before the new year, putting him atop all NCAA players for goals scored during the 2018 calendar year with 31.
Eight of his goals have come on the power play, which is tied atop the country with Chase Priskie – a Washington Capitals' draftee from Quinnipiac University. Walker has totaled 27 points so far this season, which ranks him in a tie for sixth overall in the country. He started the season on a three-game goal streak, which carried over his streak to end the 2017-18 season to eight-straight games with a goal.
Answering the bell in big moments is also something Walker has prided himself on as a sophomore, as he's scored four-game winning goals – two coming in overtime on the road – and assisted on three other game-winners this season. Most notably was his game-winning goal in overtime against then-No. 6 Penn State in State College, giving the Sun Devil program its biggest victory to date. On Dec. 29, 2018, he also scored the game-tying goal with 28 seconds remaining against then-No. 3 Minnesota State to force overtime, which would result in a tie. Nine of his 19 goals have been scored in the third period, making for more than half coming in the third period or overtime.
Between the pipes for the Maroon and Gold, Daccord boasts a 16-9-1 record, .930 save percentage and 2.24 goals against average. Along with leading the country in wins, he also leads all NCAA goaltenders with six shutouts – two more than the next best. All four stats are already on pace to set program bests for a Sun Devil goaltender in a season.
The Ottawa Senators' draft pick is one of eight NCAA goalies to have started every game between the pipes for their respective team, and he leads all eight in wins, save percentage (tied for 1st), shutouts and saves. He is fifth among those eight in goals against average.
Daccord started the season with back-to-back shutouts against Alaska, with his recent three of the four coming against teams receiving votes in the USCHO polls at the time of the game.
Five times this season he has posted 40-plus saves in a game, with four of those resulting in a victory.
Along with his stellar play in the crease, Daccord also has an assist under his belt.
The Hobey Baker Memorial Award is open to fan vote between January 16 and March 10, and fans are able to vote once per day. The selection process for the award is broken into three parts. First, the head coaches of NCAA Division I schools nominate the top three players in their league and the top three players in the nation. College hockey fans can also vote online at this time—and fan voting can be an important factor in the balloting outcome. Price Waterhouse Coopers tabulates the votes and the top 10 candidates are announced.
Voting then commences for the "Hobey Hat Trick," which is a narrowing of the field from ten players to three, from which the winner is selected. The primary voting in this part of the process is by the Hobey Baker Memorial Award Selection Committee, a geographically balanced group of 27 individuals representing print and electronic sports media, college hockey coaches and officials, and NHL scouts. Fans may also vote online for their favorite candidate during this phase of the process.
After the three finalists for the award are announced ("Hobey Hat Trick"), the countdown begins toward the announcement of the award winner in a nationally televised ceremony.
There are four criteria against which nominees for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award are considered:
- Strength of character, on and off the ice
- Contribution to the integrity of the team and outstanding skills in all phases of the game
- Scholastic achievement and sportsmanship
- Compliance with all NCAA rules, including being a full-time student in an accredited college or university and completing 50 percent or more of the season