SCSU's Schuldt, MSU's Suess finalists for Hobey Baker Award
Rather than focus exclusively on the Minnesota Wild’s top prospects, we’re taking a look at the best players from across the State of Hockey every week.
From high school to the pros, check out our recap of all the week’s events in Minnesota hockey, as we check in with college players, prep standouts and State of Hockey alums.
Let’s take a look at this week’s three-star selection, along with other notes, in the latest edition of the State of Hockey Tracker.
FIRST STAR
Dmitry Sokolov, F, Barrie Colts (OHL)
There's a necessary caveat to all the praise we've heaped on Sokolov, who now leads the OHL in scoring with 48 goals. The league's best teams are averaging around 4.5 goals per game this season. Their best goalie has a 2.55 GAA. Their last four MVPs have averaged two points per game. Still, what Sokolov has done since he was traded from the struggling Sudbury Wolves to the Barrie Colts is eye-popping. The Wild prospect has 52 points in 26 games since the trade and leads the OHL with 48 goals in 61 games. Sokolov was named the OHL Player of the Week after posting two more multi-goal games and extending his point streak to 13 games. Not bad for a seventh-round pick.
https://twitter.com/OHLHockey/status/972686385315381248
SECOND STAR
C.J. Suess, F, Minnesota State (WCHA)
For just the second time in their history, the Mavericks have a Hobey Baker Award finalist. Suess (rhymes with "crease") was named to the top 10 Wednesday, a day after being named the WCHA Offensive Player of the Year. The senior forward and Winnipeg Jets prospect has captained the Mavericks the last two seasons, and leads Mankato with a career-high 43 points (22 goals, 21 assists) in 39 games. MSU hasn't had a Hobey finalist since 1981, the first year the award was handed out, per Shane Frederick of the Mankato Free Press.
THIRD STAR
Jimmy Schuldt, D, St. Cloud State (NCHC)
The only defenseman to crack the top 10 this year, Schuldt is SCSU's fourth Hobey finalist since 2013. The Huskies captain ranks third nationally amongst defensemen with 38 points (10 goals, 28 assists) in 37 games, and helped No. 1 St. Cloud State to the NCHC's regular-season title. An undrafted free agent, the junior should have few issues finding an NHL team once he decides to leave school. He trained with the Montreal Canadiens over the summer, who also hold the draft rights to teammate Ryan Poehling.
AROUND THE RINK
-- Bemidji State defenseman Zach Whitecloud parlayed his standout sophomore season into an NHL contract last week. Whitecloud signed with the Vegas Golden Knights after registering four goals and 15 assists in 36 games for the Beavers.
-- The Gophers women ran out of magic in the NCAA quarterfinals, falling 4-0 to Wisconsin after securing their 11th straight tournament bid with a 3-1 win over the Badgers in the WCHA championship.
-- Sam Anas is back to leading the Iowa Wild in scoring. He has 49 points in 54 games.
-- Wild prospect Louie Belpedio had two assists and registered six shots on goal in Miami's series loss to St. Cloud State in the NCHC quarterfinals last weekend. With his college career officially finished, Belpedio could sign with the Wild shortly.
-- Wild prospect Brandon Duhaime had a goal and two assists in Providence's series win over Maine in the Hockey East quarterfinals.
-- Wild prospect Jordan Greenway had two goals and an assist in Boston University's series win over UConn in the Hockey East quarterfinals.
