Former Chilliwack Chief goaltender Mitch Gillam is on the long-list ballot for the 2016-17 Hobey Baker award, given each year to the top player in U.S. college hockey.
The Cornell Big Red stopper is one of five BCHL alums in the mix for fan voting.
Former Coquitlam Express forward Alex Kerfoot of Harvard, former Langley Rivermen standout Mario Puskarich of Vermont, former West Kelowna Warriors captain Max French of Bentley and Salmon Arm Silverbacks alum Angus Redmond of Michigan Tech are also on the list of 66 names put out this week.
The long list will be narrowed to 10 names Mar. 16 after which more fan voting will take place. The ‘Hobey Hat Trick’ of three finalists will be revealed ahead of the 2017 Frozen Four in Chicago and this year’s winner will be announced Apr. 7, the night before the NCAA championship final.
Voting which can be done online at apps.facebook.com/hobeybaker/form/2017-vote-for-hobey-fan-vote
The Hobey Baker Award has been given out annually since 1981; the last three winners are current NHL stars Johnny Gaudreau, Jack Eichel and Jimmy Vesey. Recent Top 10 finalists for the award from the BCHL include Alex Petan, Mike Reilly, Joey LaLeggia, Matt Garbowsky, Joel Rumpel, Carsen Chuback and Justin Schultz.
Past BCHL graduates to win the award are Paul Kariya, Brendan Morrison Jason Krog and Ryan Duncan.