Frozen Four notes: Gaudreau wins Hobey

PHILADELPHIA – There was only one thing left for "Johnny Hockey" to do before turning pro.

Boston College star forward Johnny Gaudreau collected his Hobey Baker Award, honoring the nation's top college hockey player, on Friday night 30 miles from where he grew up playing the sport.

St. Cloud State's Nic Dowd and St. Lawrence's Greg Carey were the other finalists.

Gaudreau, who led the nation in goals (36) and assists (44), agreed to an entry level contract with the Calgary Flames, and will make his NHL debut Sunday.

"It's difficult. I had a special three years [at Boston College]. I'm going to miss it a lot," Gaudreau said. "It's special if you win [the Hobey Baker Award] wherever, but close to home here, got a lot of family and friends here, it's been a pretty memorable experience."

Gaudreau's 80 points are the highest total in college hockey in the past 11 seasons. He scored a goal and two assists in BC's Frozen Four semifinal, but it wasn't enough in a 5-4 loss to Union.

The inaugural Mike Richter Award honoring the nation's top goaltender went to UMass-Lowell's Connor Hellebuyck. Gophers goaltender Adam Wilcox was among the finalists.

The sophomore signed a pro contract with the Winnipeg Jets last week.

Wilcox has a 1.86 goals-against average and .935 save percentage

Kyle Rau never intended for Justin Holl to touch the puck in the final seconds of Thursday night's game. The Gophers junior forward had his shot blocked by a North Dakota defenseman and it deflected into Holl's path, leading to Holl's game-winning goal with .6 of a second remaining.

"I got my shot blocked and it ended up right on Justin's skate. He made a good play and just shot it on the net," Rau said. "I didn't know the buzzer hadn't sounded yet, so I was pretty nervous when I saw everyone celebrating."

Gophers defenseman Mike Reilly was first-team West All-America. Wilcox and Rau were on the West second team.

• Reilly was in the penalty box when Holl scored the game-winning goal against North Dakota on Thursday. But many news accounts said Reilly's brother, Connor, was penalized, because the NCAA made an error on the official scoresheet.