LeBlanc wins 2013 Hobey Baker Award

Apr 12, 2013 - 10:43 PM Pittsburgh, PA (Sports Network) - The Hobey Baker Memorial Award Executive Committee announced Friday that St. Cloud State forward Drew LeBlanc was named the 33nd winner of college hockey's most prestigious individual honor.

Named after a legendary Princeton hockey player who died in World War I, the award recognizes strength of character in players both on and off the ice.

The 23-year-old center, a fifth-year senior, leads the nation with 37 assists in 42 games, and ranks seventh in the country with 50 points.

Coming off a medical redshirt year due to a broken leg, LeBlanc was named a First Team all-conference in the WCHA this past season and attained a first in the 52-year history of the conference, being named both the Outstanding Student-Athlete of the Year and the WCHA Player of the Year.

St. Cloud State reached the Frozen Four, but dropped a 4-1 decision to Quinnipiac on Thursday.

LeBlanc beat out sophomore forward Johnny Gaudreau of Boston College and senior goaltender Eric Hartzell from Quinnipiac University for the honor.

Minnesota-Duluth forward Jack Connolly took home the award last season.