Eichel named Hobey Baker finalist; Hockey East awards; Blueliner added for 2015

Freshman Jack Eichel, the top scorer in Division 1, leads a list of ten finalists for the 2015 Hobey Baker Awards. On April 2, the field will be narrowed to three when the “Hobey Hat Trick” is announced. The winner for 2015 will be revealed on Friday, April 10, at Matthews Arena, during the Frozen Four tournament held this year at TD Garden.

● College Hockey Inc. report

● College Hockey News report

● WEEI College Blog report

Hockey East has announced its first round of awards, as chosen by the coaches and   Eichel was a unanimous pick for the Pro Ambitions All-Rookie Team.  Senior Evan Rodrigues (photo) was runner-up for Best Defensive Forward.  Eichel also was the Squad Locker Scoring Champion and finished first for the Army ROTC Three Stars Award with Rodrigues finishing second in both categories. Additional awards and the All-Hockey East teams will be announced tonight at the annual awards banquet at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in Cambridge.

● HockeyEastOnline report

● GoTerriers.com report

The Hockey East Writers and Broadcasters Association has announced its 2014-2015 awards. Terrier winners were David Quinn: Coach of the Year; Jack Eichel, Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, First Team All-Star, All-Rookie Team; Evan Rodrigues, First Team All-Star; Matt Grzelcyk, First Team All-Star; Danny O’Regan, Second Team All-Star; and, Brandon Hickey, First Team All-Rookie.

● USCHO report

● Daily Free Press report

►The semifinals of the Hockey East tournament will be played tomorrow at TD Garden with Lowell vs. Vermont beginning at 5 p.m., followed by BU vs. New Hampshire at 8 p.m. The games will air on NESN in New England and on NBC SN nationally. Tournament previews:

● USCHO 

● HockeyEastOnline (with PDF media packet)

● College Hockey News 

● Daily Free Press and Q&A with Nikolas Olsson

Looking ahead

BU received its second verbal of the week, securing a commitment for 2015 from AJHL Lloydminster Bobcats’ defenseman Shane Switzer. A 6-2, 200 lb.,native of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, Switzer is a product of the Victory Honda program and last year scored 21 points to help the 18U team reach the Tier 1 Midget National championship game, which they lost to Shattuck Prep (led by Chase Phelps and Clayton Keller).

Switzer began this season with AJHL Brooks Bandits (6-12-18) and then was traded to the Bobcats, scoring 16 points in 17 games. He is currently the team’s co-leader in playoff scoring with 3-4-7 in six games.

● Elite Prospects card

● Boston Hockey Blog report

95 D Shane Switzer (@LloydBobcats) commits to BU. 6'2 RD is 2nd on team scoring, late-95 Victory Honda product is over PPG pace in playoffs.
— Over The Boards (@OTBPuckWatch) March 18, 2015