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Harvard's Jimmy Vesey, BC's Thatcher Demko Finalists For Hobey Baker Award

BOSTON (CBS) -- Jimmy Vesey and Thatcher Demko are hoping to follow in Jack Eichel's footsteps and bring the Hobey Baker Award back to New England.

Vesey, a standout forward at Harvard and Charlestown/North Reading native, and Demko, netminder for the Boston College Eagles, are part of the Hobey Hat Trick -- the three finalists for college hockey's highest honor, it was announced on Thursday.

Vesey just finished his senior season with the Crimson and is a finalist for the second straight year. He potted 24 goals to go with 22 assists in 33 games, and was also named Ivy Player of the Year and ECAC Player of the Year for the second year in a row. He was also a repeat winner of the Walter Brown Award, given to the top American-born player in New England.

Demko and the BC Eagles are gearing up to face Quinnipiac University in the Frozen Four, after the goaltender was named the Most Outstanding Player in the Northeast Regional. He finished the season with a 27-7-4 record with an NCAA-leading 10 shutouts, including a streak that saw him blank opponents in six of Boston College's first nine games. His .936 save percentage was good for second in the nation.

Michigan forward Kyle Connor is the third finalist for this year's award, after the freshman led the nation in points (71) and goals (35).

A player from New England has won the past two Hobey Baker Awards: Boston University's Eichel in 2015 and Boston College's Johnny Gaudreau in 2014. The last time a Harvard player won the award was Lane McDonald in 1989.

This year's winner will be announced on Friday, April 8.

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