We had just wrapped up a team meeting after my senior season at Mankato State in 1981 when my coach told me I had been named a Top 10 finalist for a new award honoring the best player in men’s college hockey.
It was called the Hobey Baker Award, named after a former Princeton athlete.
While I had a solid college career, as a Division II goalie, I never expected to be considered one of the 10 best players in the country. Being included on that list came as a surprise and was an incredible honor.
When you look at the list of finalists at the bottom of this page, it was clear from the beginning, who would be winning the award. And no one couldn’t argue with the choice.
Neal Broten was named the winner of the first annual Hobey Baker Award. The Roseau, Minnesota native was a sophomore star at the University of Minnesota. He was on the 1980 gold medal winning U.S. Olympic Hockey team and won a NCAA championship during his freshman year.
I was invited to attend the award banquet, which was held at the Decathalon Club in Bloomington. The guest speaker was Mr. Hockey, Gordie Howe.
At the banquet, I met Neal Broten and we talked briefly about the time we played against each in the Boy’s State High School Hockey Tournament.
It was huge thrill for me to meet Broten, who went on to have a magnificent NHL career.
Top 10 finalists for 1981 Hobey Baker Award
Pos. — Name — School — Hometown
LW – Sandy Beadle, Northeastern University, Regina Saskatchewan
C – Steve Bozek, Northern Michigan University, Castlegar, British Columbia
C – Neal Broten, University of Minnesota, Roseau, Minnesota
G – Steve Carroll, Mankato State University, Edina, Minnesota
C – Mark Hentges, St. Thomas University, New Hope, Minnesota
C – Tom Lawler, Merrimack College, Andover Massachusetts
G – Bill Provencher, Bowdoin College, Lewiston, Maine
G – Rick Strack, Plattsburgh State University, Lake Placid, New York
D – Ed Small, Clarkson College, Ottawa, Ontario
LW – Steve Ulseth, University of Minnesota, Roseville, Minnesota
Fun fact about the Hobey Baker Award: Steve Christoff, Richfield, Minnesota native and 1980 Olympic Gold Medalist served as the model for the award.
