One of Oxford’s own is currently in the running for college hockey’s highest individual honor.
Nathan Gerbe, a junior left wing with the Boston College Eagles and youngest son of Oxford residents Joe and Terrie Gerbe, is among 101 candidates nationwide being considered for the 2008 Hobey Baker Award ? the equivalent of college football’s Heisman Trophy.
‘They’re all good players and just to be nominated with them is a big honor for me,? he said.
Gerbe, 20, is excited to have his name and his school associated with such a prestigious award.
‘It would mean a lot (to win) not only for me, but for our school,? he said. ‘Coming to Boston College was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my life. The people I’ve met here have helped me tremendously to be a better person on and off the ice.?
From now until March 9, people can visit www.hobeybaker.com to help vote for who will be named college hockey’s top player April 11 during the NCAA Frozen Four Championships in Denver, Colorado.
Award criteria include candidates mimicking the superlative character traits put forth by the award’s namesake, Hobey Baker, a World War I flying ace better known as America’s greatest amateur athlete in his day.
Award candidates must exhibit strength of character both on and off the ice, contribute to the integrity of his team and display outstanding skills in all phases of the game.
Consideration should also be given to scholastic achievement and sportsmanship.
Gerbe is currently listed as the Number One contender for the award, according to Inside College Hockey’s ‘Hobey Tracker,? which regularly updates who the top three candidates are as the season progresses.
CSTV’s most recent Hobey Baker Poll ranked Gerbe Number Two in the running behind Michigan’s Kevin Porter.
Gerbe’s popularity among the fans led to the creation of an internet blog ? entitled ‘Gerbe for Hobey? (www.gerbe-for-hobey.blogspot.com) ? as a way to campaign for the award on the player’s behalf.
‘I’m not sure who made that, but it’s a nice site,? Gerbe said.
So far, the 5-5/165-pound Gerbe’s been virtually unstoppable on the ice this season.
As of Feb. 4, Gerbe, a 2005 graduate of Huron High School in Ann Arbor, is leading the ninth-ranked BC Eagles with 21 goals, 18 assists, 39 points and 141 shots in 25 games.
‘He leads the country in points and goals per game,? according to Tim Clark, media relations with Boston College.
‘I try to bring excitement to the game for all the fans. I really try to bring the crowd to their feet,? Gerbe said. ‘Every night I play as hard as I can to win for our club.?
Gerbe also leads his team in power-play goals (8), short-handed goals (3) and game winning goals (4).
In January, Gerbe was named the Hockey East Player of the Month for the second straight month.
Gerbe acknowledged it’s the support and skills of teammates like Ben Smith and Brian Gibbons ? both of whom are also in the running for the Hobey ? that help make him such a formidable player.
‘Without them, I would not be up for this award,? he said.
Gerbe said the three of them don’t discuss the Hobey competition.
‘We try not to think about it because things like that can hurt a team,? he said. ‘We try to stay away from that and just stick to our game plan.?
After he graduates college next year with a Bachelor’s of Communications, Gerbe will have until August to sign with the Buffalo Sabres, a team in the National Hockey League.
He was the Sabres? fifth round (142nd overall) pick in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft
‘It would be a great honor (to play for the Sabres), but I’ve still got another year ahead of me so that’s something I try not to think about,? Gerbe said.
If he doesn’t sign with Buffalo, he’ll become a free agent.
The top 10 candidates for the Hobey Baker Award will be named March 20, after which hockey fans will again be asked to vote on-line to help narrow the field to three.
The three finalists will be announced April 2 as the ‘Hobey Hat Trick.?