Western Collegiate Hockey Association
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Kevin Porter Wins 2008 Hobey Baker Award
April 11, 2008
The Hobey Baker Memorial Award announced today the 2008 recipient of college hockey's top individual prize is Kevin Porter from the Univ. of Michigan. The announcement came during the NCAA Frozen Four Tournament at Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo. as part of the Friday at the Frozen Four festivities.
The senior captain of Michigan becomes only the second Wolverine to garner the award; Brendan Morrison was selected in 1997. Porter entered the Frozen Four after a phenomenal weekend at the East Regional in which he factored in six of the seven goals Michigan scored, bagging five goals and one assist, including a four-goal performance in a 5-1 win over Niagara.
The Hobey Baker Award, named for the legendary Princeton hockey player who died testing a repaired aircraft at the end of World War I, recognizes strength of character both on and off the ice. Porter was selected from a group of 10 finalists by the votes of a 25-member selection committee, along with the results of an online fan ballot.
Michigan entered the Frozen Four tournament as the number one seed, an unlikely scenario in October when 24-year head coach Red Berenson greeted his largest freshman class ever - 12 brand new faces. The outstanding leadership of Porter guided Michigan to the CCHA regular season and playoff championships. So superior were his efforts, Kevin was named the leagues' Player of the Year and was a finalist for the CCHA's Best Defensive Forward. The First Team CCHA honoree was named the Hockey Commissioners January National Player of the Month.
Following Thursday's loss in the national semi finals, Porter finished second in the nation in scoring with 63 points in 43 games. He is presently tied for the lead in goals with 33 goals, including15 power play tallies (second in the nation.) The Phoenix draft pick scored points in all but six games this season and had a remarkable 18-multiple point games.
Kevin is a general studies major from Northville, Michigan and finds time to make personal visits at Mott Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor and volunteers for various Make-A-Wish Foundation events.
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NOTE: Members of the media can access a photo of Kevin Porter with the Hobey Baker Award by visiting hobeybaker.com. Porter will be honored at the Hobey Baker Award Banquet on May 2, 2008 at 317 On Rice Park in St. Paul, Minn. Visit hobeybaker.com for more information on the Hobey Baker Memorial Award.