Dowd, Carey, Gaudreau named Hobey Baker finalists

Forwards Nic Dowd of St. Cloud State University, Greg Carey of St. Lawrence University and Johnny Gaudreau of Boston College on Wednesday were named the three finalists for the 2014 Hobey Baker Memorial Award.

The winner of the Hobey Baker Award will be announced April 11 at 6 p.m. ET from Philadelphia, the site of this year's NCAA Frozen Four Championship.

Dowd was chosen by the Los Angeles Kings in the seventh round (No. 198) of the 2009 NHL Draft and signed a one-year entry-level contract Tuesday. Gaudreau was selected by the Calgary Flames in the fourth round (No. 104) of the 2011 draft. Carey was signed to a free-agent contract by the Phoenix Coyotes on March 19.

An original list of 68 players was pared to 10 on March 20. The three finalists were voted on by a 27-member selection committee and a second round of fan online balloting held March 20-30.

Here's a recap of the three finalists:

Nic Dowd

School: St. Cloud State

Position: Forward

Class: Senior

Dowd was a big part of St. Cloud State clinching its first National Collegiate Hockey Conference regular-season title with 21 goals and 39 points. His 10 power-play goals were tied for fifth in the nation and he's the first-ever finalist from the state of Alabama (Huntsville).

Greg Carey

School: St. Lawrence

Position: Left wing

Class: Senior

A repeat Hobey Baker finalist and one of the top undrafted prospects in the NCAA, Carey, 23, had 18 goals in 38 games for St. Lawrence University. He leads the NCAA with 39 assists and is second in points with 57. In 2012-13, Carey's 28 goals and 14 power-play goals led the NCAA and he became the first junior in Saints history to be a Hobey Baker finalist.

Johnny Gaudreau

School: Boston College

Position: Forward

Class: Junior

Gaudreau returns to the list after he was selected as a Hobey "Hat Trick" finalist last season. Gaudreau won the Hockey East scoring title and led the nation with 32 goals and 69 points, with his 37 assists ranking second in the country. He is also a finalist for the conference Player of the Year award and had points in all but two games. His 31-game point streak tied Paul Kariya's Hockey East record.