St. Cloud State senior defenseman Jimmy Schuldt, who signed with the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday, is one of three finalists for the Hobey Baker Award, given to college hockey's top player.

Sophomore defenseman Cale Maker, the fourth overall pick in the 2018 NHL draft by Colorado who has led Massachusetts to the Frozen Four, is the favorite for the award. Harvard junior defenseman Adam Fox is the third finalist.

The winner will be announced April 12 at the Frozen Four in Buffalo.

Schuldt, from Minnetonka, had 10 goals and 25 assists as the Huskies won the NCHC regular-season title and became the No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament before being upset by American International in the first round.

"It's obviously a huge honor," Schuldt said. "It was never something I thought I'd be nominated for, much less be in the top three.''

Makar has 16 goals and 32 assists and is the first defenseman to lead Hockey East in scoring in 20 years.

Fox had nine goals and 39 assists for Harvard.

Quintero sidelined

Minnesota United star Darwin Quintero didn't participate in team training Thursday morning in Blaine and coach Adrian Heath called him a game-time decision for Saturday's match at New York Red Bulls.

Quintero left early during the team's first-ever practice Wednesday at Allianz Field, holding his groin after he kicked a long pass while on the run during a scrimmage.

"We'll give him all the time he needs," Heath said. "There was no point today of him aggravating it. Give him another day to get ready."

Quintero worked with the team's physiotherapists and athletic trainers on his own Thursday while his teammates trained, Heath said.

Jerry Zgoda

• The Loons are sending four players to Forward Madison for the 2019 season, with the right to recall them any time. The four are defenders Carter Manley and Wyatt Omsberg, goalkeeper Dayne St. Claire and forward Mason Toye. They will join the Flamingos before the team's inaugural USL League One season opener at the Chattanooga Red Wolves on Saturday.

Etc.

• Former Roseville girls basketball standout Carolyn Kieger was named Penn State women's basketball coach. She was the women's coach at Marquette, her alma mater, the past five seasons. Kieger had a record of 99-64 at Marquette and led the Golden Eagles to three NCAA tournament berths.

• Former Augsburg basketball star Devean George, a two-time MIAC MVP, will be one of seven individuals selected by the NCAA Office of Inclusion and Human Resources to be recognized as "Living Legends" during the Final Four week for significant contributions in the Minneapolis and St. Paul communities, and for furthering inclusion within athletics.

• The No. 19 Gophers softball team will open a three-game series at Illinois at 5 p.m. Friday. Minnesota (25-9, 6-0 Big Ten) is tied for first place in the Big Ten and is first in the conference and fourth in Division I with a .979 fielding percentage. The Illini (22-9, 3-3) are hitting a league-high .328.