Dryden McKay gets his hands on the Hobey Baker Trophy
Minnesota State University goaltender Dryden McKay won the Hobey Baker Trophy on Friday.
The 24-year-old was voted the NCAA’s Most Outstanding Men’s Hockey Player. He edged out Philadelphia Flyers forward prospect Bobby Brink (University of Denver) and Ben Meyers (University of Minnesota), a forward who was never drafted.
« I want to thank my parents who have been there for me every step of the way, » McKay said. My father passed on his love of hockey to me very early in my life and made it easy for me to become a goaltender. My mom drove me on long car trips and it wasn’t always easy for her before we had GPS. We had a few crazy rides, but despite everything, they were always there for me. There have been ups and downs, and my parents are everything to me. »
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McKay, who was never selected in an NHL draft, will be available to any team after the NCAA Championship Final against Denver on Saturday (8 p.m. ET; ESPN2).
He was one of three finalists for a second straight season after going 38-4-0 this season. McKay ranks second in the nation with a 1.27 goals-against average, tied for third with a .934 save percentage and tied for second with 10 shutouts in 42 games. He holds the NCAA Division I record for most career shutouts (34) and is second in wins (112) behind Marty Turco of the University of Michigan (126).
The fourth-year player was named Goalie and Player of the Year in the Central University Hockey Association. He was also one of three finalists for the Mike Richter Trophy, awarded to the best goaltender in the country. That title went to Devon Levi of Northeastern University, a Buffalo Sabers prospect.
McKay is the first Minnesota State player to win the trophy. He is the third guard to inherit the title, and the first since Ryan Miller (Michigan State) in 2001.
“I thank my teammates at Minnesota State, they are my best friends and I had the best four years of my life here. Without them, I wouldn’t be here, McKay said. Minnesota State has become my second home and it’s the best decision I’ve made. I want to thank all the coaches I’ve had over the years, especially Brennan Poderzay, who was my goalie coach at Minnesota State for my first two years. He really showed me the way in college hockey.
“It’s quite an honour. »
McKay is the only goaltender in NCAA history to have at least 10 shutouts in three straight seasons.
His most recent came with a 23-save performance in a 1-0 win over Notre Dame University in the Albany Regional Final to help his team reach the Frozen Four. He stopped 16 shots in a 5-1 win over Minnesota in the Frozen Four semifinals on Thursday at TD Garden in Boston.
Montreal Canadiens forward Cole Caufield (University of Wisconsin) won the Hobey Baker Trophy last season.
