Vipers Alumni Hanson & Tufto Nominated For Hobey Baker Award:

Former Vernon Viper goaltenders Darion Hanson & Former Vernon Vipers forward Odeen Tufto have been nominated for the Hobey Baker award.

Hanson is in his third year at Union College, played one season in Vernon (2016-17) after coming over in a trade with Youngstown. The Youngstown Phantoms traded Hanson to Vernon November 18 2016 (No details on the trade were announced). 

Darion Hanson's Player Profile:

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=288916

Tufto is in his third season at Quinnipiac University. Tufto played one season in the United States Hockey League (2016-17) with three different teams (Fargo, Tri-City & Sioux City) before joining Quinnipiac University in 2017.  Tufto played one season in Vernon (2015-16) before leaving the team over the summer to join the United States Hockey League (USHL) Fargo Force. In 57 games with the Vipers Tufto recorded (25-goals-40-assists-65-points).

Odeen Tufto's Player Profile:

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=248460

This is posted on the BCHL website:

18 alums listed in initial Hobey Baker nominations

January 16, 2020 

The first batch of nominees for the NCAA’s Hobey Baker Award have been announced and there are 18 BCHL alums up for the honour.

The award is based on the following criteria:

• Strength of character, on and off the ice
• Contribution to the integrity of the team and outstanding skills in all phases of the game
• Scholastic achievement and sportsmanship
• Compliance with all NCAA rules, including being a full-time student in an accredited college or university and completing 50 percent or more of the season

There are over 75 players nominated and they were submitted by the athletic departments of the Division I schools with a maximum of three candidates from any one school.

The BCHL alums nominated are:

Forwards

Devin Brosseau – Senior – Clarkson University (Nanaimo Clippers)

Blake Christensen – Senior – American International College (Wenatchee Wild)

Jason Cotton – Senior – Sacred Heart University (West Kelowna Warriors)

Nick Halloran – Senior – Colorado College (Trail Smoke Eaters)

Matt Hoover – Senior – Canisius College (Nanaimo Clippers)

Nick Hutchison – Senior – Canisius College (Salmon Arm Silverbacks)

Jordan Kawaguchi – Junior – University of North Dakota (Chilliwack Chiefs)

Max Newton – Junior – University of Alaska (Cowichan Valley Capitals)

Zach Risteau – Sophomore – St. Lawrence University (Merritt Centennials)

Odeen Tufto – Junior – Quinnipiac University (Vernon Vipers)

Taylor Ward – Sophomore – University of Nebraska-Omaha (Penticton Vees)

Defencemen

Yanni Kaldis – Senior – Cornell University (Nanaimo Clippers)

Mike Lee – Senior – Sacred Heart University (Penticton Vees)

Will Reilly – Senior – Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (Nanaimo Clippers)

Matt Stief – Senior – Canisius College (Prince George Spruce Kings)

Goalies

Matthew Galajda – Junior – Cornell University (Victoria Grizzlies)

Darion Hanson – Junior – Union College (Vernon Vipers)

Brian Wilson – Junior – Niagara University (Powell River Kings)

Click here for the full list of nominees.

Fans have the opportunity to vote for players by visiting the Hobey Baker voting page.

Fan voting for the award will run through Mar. 9. Phase two of fan voting will begin Mar. 18 after the announcement of the top-10 nominees. The Hobey Hat Trick finalists will be revealed on Apr. 2 with the winner being announced Apr. 10 at the Frozen Four in Detroit, Mich.