Pair of Stars Prospects Nominated For Top Collegiate Award

Austin Smith

The NCAA announced today that two Dallas Stars prospects, Austin Smith (Colgate) and Reilly Smith (Miami OH) are two of 10 student-athletes that have been nominated for the Hobey Baker Award, given annually to the top player in NCAA Division I hockey.

Austin Smith, 23, leads the nation with 36 goals and is tied for second in overall scoring with 59 points. He was drafted by the Dallas Stars in 2007 with the 128th overall pick and was the first Texas-native drafted by the Stars’ organization.

“Austin Smith is clearly one of the best college hockey players in the nation this year. His skill set and statistics speak for themselves but like all great players he is more than just numbers… He is the complete package. Great player, great student, exceptional character and simply makes people around him better.” – Colgate Head Coach, Don Vaughan

Reilly Smith

Reilly Smith, 20, ranks second in the nation in goal scoring with 27 goals this season with Miami (Ohio). Smith was a unanimous First-Team All-CCHA selection in 2012, one of two players to accomplish that feat. He was selected by Dallas as the 69th overall selection in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft and is scheduled to play Friday night in the CCHA Championship Semifinal at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit.

A 23-member Selection Committee and an additional round of fan balloting (at www.hobeybakeraward.com from March 16-25) will determine this year's winner. Criteria for the award include: displaying outstanding skills in all phases of the game, strength of character on and off the ice, sportsmanship and scholastic achievements.

The Hobey Hat Trick (the three finalists) will be announced on March 29 and the Hobey Baker Award winner will be announced on April 6 from MacDill Air Force Base, in Tampa, Fla., during the NCAA Frozen Four.