LetsGoDU

Air Force Star Eric Ehn Is Hobey Finalist

From: Colorado Springs Gazette
by Kate Crandall

Hobey Baker would be proud.

Baker, a fighter pilot who was killed while testing a newly repaired airplane shortly after the end of World War I, is the namesake for college hockey’s most prestigious honor.

But since the inception of the Hobey Baker Memorial Award in 1981, there has never been a service academy finalist — until now.

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Air Force’s Eric Ehn, the first player from a service academy to be nominated for the award — college hockey’s equivalent to football’s Heisman Trophy — was named a top-three finalist Wednesday. The winner will be announced at 5 p.m. April 6 at the NCAA Frozen Four in St. Louis.

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North Dakota forward Ryan Duncan and Notre Dame goalie David Brown are the other finalists.

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According to the selection criteria, the award is given to a player who demonstrates character on and off the ice, displays outstanding skills in all aspects of the game, sportsmanship and scholastic achievements.

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“I’m pretty stunned,” said Ehn, a junior.
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“Based on the criteria, I think that someone from a service academy fits the bill every year, but sometimes the award is done a little bit differently in the selection process. It’s definitely a big honor.”
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Ehn, who had 24 goals and 40 assists, led the nation in scoring for 14 of the last 18 weeks and finished second with 1.60 goals per game.
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Named Atlantic Hockey Player of the Year, Ehn is also the first player not from one of the four major conferences to be named a top-three finalist.
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Fan voting accounts for just 1 percent in the selection process, but Ehn was the top votegetter. Ehn credited his fellow cadets for the votes. Daily reminder e-mails were circulated around the academy.

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Even though Ehn did not score in the Falcons’ first NCAA Tournament appearance Saturday, a 4-3 loss to Minnesota, coach Frank Serratore used him on virtually every offensive zone faceoff and on special teams. During one stretch, Ehn won nine consecutive faceoffs.
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“Thankfully the decision makers didn’t take a team loss against his individual achievements,” Serratore said.

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“He’s more than just a scorer, he’s a good all-around player.”
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Ehn had a goal or assist in 31 of the 40 games and became the first Falcon in 27 years to score more than 60 points. His 40 assists are the most by a Falcon in 31 years.
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Colorado College had recent Hobey winners in Peter Sejna (2003) and Marty Sertich (2005).
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“It’s a milestone for the program and it’s a tribute to Eric and also his teammates and his linemates,” Serratore said. “It’s a great compliment to him and the people around him.”
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How will Ehn celebrate?
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“I’ll sleep till 9 a.m. as opposed to 8 tomorrow,” he said.
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Ehn plans to return to the ice next week.
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“I’ll be focused on next year and start working on things that were missing from my game this season,” he said.