March 29, 2024
BANGOR DAILY NEWS (BANGOR, MAINE

Holzinger wins Hobey; Imes runnerup

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Brian Holzinger of Bowling Green University won the 15th annual Hobey Baker Award presented here Friday.

But the senior center said he would trade the bronze statue symbolic of being the nation’s best college hockey player for the chance to be where Baker Award runnerup Chris Imes of the University of Maine is – getting ready to play in Saturday’s NCAA Championship game with Boston University.

“It would be a hard decision, but if my team could be successful that way I’d trade it,” said Holzinger, after being presented with the award during ceremonies at the Providence Convention Center.

Holzinger earned the award after scoring 35 goals and handing out 34 assists for the Falcons from Bowling Green, Ohio. He was named Central Collegiate Hockey Association Player of the Year. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound native of Parma, Ohio is also a Dean’s List student with a 3.29 GPA majoring in management information systems.

Imes, Maine’s senior defenseman and the Hockey East Player of the Year, finished second in the balloting among 10 finalists. Votes are submitted by the nation’s Division I coaches. The winner is chosen from the top 10 vote-getters by an 18-member selection committee. The award is presented by the Decathlon Athletic Club of Bloomington, Minn.

Imes made it unanimous. He said he would not trade his position contending for the national title for the award.

“No, Brian can have it. I’ll take this,” said Imes, a former U.S. Olympian who finished second despite having the lowest point totals of the 10 finalists. “Brian deserves it. He’s a great player. He was one of the last guys cut from the Olympic team. I thought he was the best forward there.”

Holzinger said he has great respect for Imes, a native of Birchdale, Minn. who has four goals and 29 assists for Maine.

“I played with Chris on several U.S. select teams and tried out for the Olympics with him. Chris is a great player and a great guy. It’s great to consider him a friend,” Holzinger said.

Imes was the ninth Maine player to be named a Hobey Baker finalist. Two Maine players won the award — Paul Kariya and Scott Pellerin.


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