March 25, 2008

Senior forward Kevin Porter (Northville, Mich.) of the University of Michigan ice hockey team was named a finalist for the 2008 Hobey Baker Memorial Award Thursday evening (March 20). He is one of 10 Division I student-athletes from which the Hobey Baker committee will select a winner to be named Friday (April 11) at the NCAA Frozen Four in Denver, Colo. Criteria for the award, which honors college hockey's top player, include strength of character on and off the ice along with scholastic achievements and sportsmanship.

Porter is the 11th Wolverine to be tabbed as a Hobey Baker finalist. Brendan Morrison, a three-time finalist, is the lone Michigan recipient; Morrison won the award in 1997.

U-M's captain, Porter led the 2007-08 Wolverines to the program's 10th CCHA regular-season championship with a record of 20-4-4. Overall, Michigan is 29-5-4 and is ranked No. 1 in the country. Porter captured the CCHA scoring title this season with a 22-20-42 line to earn unanimous All-CCHA first team honors. Additionally, Porter leads the nation in points (56) and points per game (1.47) with an even 28 goals and 28 assists in 38 games. He has earned just 18 penalty minutes and has a plus/minus rating of +29.

Porter's 176 career points rank 19th in U-M's annals. His 80 career goals are tied for 22nd among forwards, while his 96 assists put him in a tie for 21st among forwards.

The Hobey Baker winner will be determined from the finalists by the Hobey Baker Selection Committee, a group of coaches, scouts, media and a representative from USA Hockey. Fans also contribute to the final decision through the "Vote for Hobey" final voting phase.

Fans can vote for Porter via the official Hobey Baker website at www.hobeybaker.com. The 10 finalists will be narrowed to three -- also known as the "Hobey Hat Trick" -- on Wednesday, April 2.