Michigan State University Athletics
Liles Among Hobey Baker Award Top 10 Finalists
3/20/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
March 20, 2003
ST. PAUL, Minn. - Michigan State senior defenseman John-Michael Liles (Zionsville, Ind.) was selected as one of the top 10 Hobey Baker Memorial Award finalists, as announced by the Hobey Baker selection committee Thursday afternoon (March 20). Joining Liles as the top 10 finalists are: Ben Eaves (Boston College); Christopher Higgins (Yale); Chris Kunitz (Ferris State); Dave LeNeveu (Cornell), Zach Parise (North Dakota); Tom Preissing (Colorado College); Peter Senja (Colorado College); Joe Tallari (Niagara) and R.J. Umberger (Ohio State). The final 10 players was determined by a ballot of all 60 Division I college hockey coaches and by a fan vote.
The two-time CCHA Best Offensive Defenseman leads MSU in scoring with 16-32-48 totals, which ties him for fourth in the CCHA overall scoring race and paces all conference blueliners. In addition, he leads the nation in points per game among rearguards (1.26). He needs just two more points to become the first Spartan to register 50 points in a season since Shawn Horcoff tallied 65 points (14 goals, 51 assists) in 1999-2000.
The 2003 All-CCHA First Team honoree averages at least 30 minutes of ice time per game, playing in all situations for the Spartans. The quarterback of the Spartan power play paces the team with 26 points (eight goals, 18 assists) with the extra skater. MSU leads the CCHA and ranks third in the nation with the man advantage at 27.0 percent (48-of-178).
As a junior in 2001-02, Liles earned JOFA All-America Second Team and All-CCHA First Team honors. He led the Spartans in scoring with 13-22-35 points in 41 games, becoming the first Spartan blueliner to pace the team in scoring since Jason Wolley (15-44-59) accomplished the feat in 1990-91. A blueliner has never led the Spartans in scoring in back-to-back seasons in MSU hockey history.
"It's a tremendous honor," commented Liles. "But, I have been saying that team success transforms into individual honors. The team has really come on in the second half of the year. (Brad) Fast has really helped me out and he is a big reason for my success. A lot of the credit really has to go to the other players on our team."
Liles becomes MSU's 13th Hobey Baker finalist, joining Ron Scott (1982 and 1983); Kelly Miller (1985); Craig Simpson (1985); Mike Donnelly (1986); Kip Miller (1989 and 1990); Bobby Reynolds (1989); Bryan Smolinski (1993); Anson Carter (1995); Chad Alban (1998); Mike York (1998 and 1999); Shawn Horcoff (2000) and Ryan Miller (2001 and 2002). All said, the Spartans have had 16 Hobey Baker Finalists - the most of any school in the country. In addition, Kip Miller won the prestigious award in 1990 and Ryan Miller was the 2001 award winner, becoming just the second goalie to win Hobey honors.
The Hobey Hat Trick, the top three finalists, will be announced April 2. The award recipient will be announced on live telecast featuring all three finalists from the NCAA Frozen Four in Buffalo, N.Y., on Friday, April 11, 2003.
College hockey fans also have the opportunity to cast their votes in helping determine this year's Hobey Baker Memorial Award recipient. From March 21-31, registered voters can cast one vote (per day) for their first, second and third choices in the final round of balloting. For more information, visit www.voteforhobey.com.
