Photo credits: Fighting Irish Media (Galajda), BSU Photo Services (Sillinger), Jonathan Knight Photography (Johnson)

The initial list of Hobey Baker Award nominees has been released and there are 19 BCHL alumni who have been recognized.

The award is given to college hockey’s top player and is based on strength of character, on-ice performance and academic achievement.

NCAA Division I head coaches voted for the top-three players in their league and the top-three in all of college hockey.

BCHL alumni up for the award are:

Corey Andonovski – Princeton University (Chilliwack Chiefs)
Drew Bavaro – Bentley University (Wenatchee Wild)
Carson Briere – Mercyhurst University (Trail Smoke Eaters)
Easton Brodzinski – St. Cloud State University (Penticton Vees)
Will Calverley – Rochester Institute of Technology (Chilliwack Chiefs)
Matthew Galajda – University of Notre Dame (Victoria Grizzlies)
Kent Johnson – University of Michigan (Trail Smoke Eaters)
Matthew Kopperud – Arizona State University (Merritt Centennials)
Mitchell Martan – Canisius College (West Kelowna Warriors)
Keaton Mastrodonato – Canisius College (Alberni Valley Bulldogs)
Zach Metsa – Quinnipiac University (Merritt Centennials)
Max Newton – Merrimack College (Trail/Cowichan)
Owen Norton – Mercyhurst University (Surrey Eagles)
Yaniv Perets – Quinnipiac University (Penticton Vees)
Kaden Pickering – St. Lawrence University (Chilliwack Chiefs)
Owen Sillinger – Bemidji State University (Penticton Vees)
Braeden Tuck – Sacred Heart University (Trail Smoke Eaters)
Kevin Wall – Penn State University (Chilliwack Chiefs)
Taylor Ward – University of Nebraska-Omaha (Penticton Vees)

Fans have the opportunity to vote for players here.

The first round of voting concludes on Mar. 6, then a list of 10 finalists will be revealed.