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Kawaguchi named Hobey Hat Trick finalist

Photo credit: Russ Hons

University of North Dakota junior forward and Chilliwack Chiefs alumnus Jordan Kawaguchi has been named one of three finalists for the Hobey Baker Award as college hockey’s top player.

The other two players part of the Hobey Hat Trick are University of Minnesota-Duluth junior defenceman Scott Perunovich and University of Maine junior goaltender Jeremy Swayman.

Kawaguchi enjoyed a significant spike in production in his third NCAA season. His 45 points were good enough for tops in the NCHC and second nation-wide.

Five of his 15 goals were game-winners, which tied for fifth nationally, while his 13 game-winning points led the NCAA. The Abbotsford, B.C. native recorded a point in 24 of 33 games played, including 15 multi-point games, which were second nationally. Kawaguchi was a three-time NCHC Player of the Week and two-time NCHC Player of the Month, including National Player of the Month in November.

Kawaguchi, who recently announced he was returning to North Dakota for his senior season, was already selected 2019-20 Player of the Year by USCHO.com on Mar. 20. He was also tabbed 2019-20 NCHC Forward of the Year and the co-Three Stars Award winner along with Perunovich. Kawaguchi was named to the All-CHN First Team nationally by College Hockey News, as well as the All-USCHO First Team and was the runner-up for NCHC Player of the Year.

This year’s winner will be announced Saturday, Apr. 11 on SportsCenter on ESPN, which you can see live on TSN at 8 p.m. PT.