By IAIN HIGGINS
Rochester natives Jack Dugan (Providence) and David Farrance (Boston University) were named Hobey Baker Award nominees on January 15. The award is presented each year to the top player in men’s NCAA Division I ice hockey. Dugan and Farrance join a list of 76 other nominees.
Dugan started his high school hockey career at McQuaid Jesuit. He led McQuaid to a state championship victory in 2015, his junior year, tallying 65 points in 24 games. He was named New York State Player of the Year. The forward moved on to Northwood School for two years in Lake Placid, New York, before being drafted by the Las Vegas Golden Knights in 2017 in the fifth round. He plays college hockey at Providence, where he reached the Frozen Four in 2019, his freshman year. Dugan has already earned 42 points in just 25 games this season as a sophomore.
Farrance, a defenseman, played high school hockey at Victor until his sophomore year in 2015, the season he helped the Blue Devils secure a Section V title. He was then selected for the US Hockey National Development Program for two years while playing for the US National U17 and U18 teams. Currently a Junior at Boston University, Farrance has a racked up 28 points so far this season. He was selected by the Nashville Predators in the third round of the 2017 draft.
Dugan and Farrance join the company of Rochester Hobey Baker nominees Brian Gionta, former Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres captain, and AHL journeyman Chris Collins. The award will be presented to the winner on Friday, April 10 in Detroit during the NCAA Frozen Four tournament. Notable Hobey Baker winners in recent years include Jimmy Vesey in 2016, Jack Eichel in 2015, and Johnny Gaudreau in 2014.
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