Forward Jordan Kawaguchi of the University of North Dakota, and goalie
Jeremy Swayman
(Boston Bruins) of the University of Maine are the other finalists for the award presented annually to the top NCAA men's ice hockey player. The winner will be announced April 11.
Perunovich, a 21-year-old junior who was selected by the Blues in the second round (No. 45) of the 2018 NHL Draft, led the National Collegiate Hockey Conference with 40 points (six goals, 34 assists) in 34 games. He had 32 points (four goals, 28 assists) in 24 conference games to become the first defenseman to lead the NCHC in scoring.
Perunovich, who ranked second in the NCAA in assists and was tied for first with Providence forward Jack Dugan (Vegas Golden Knights) with 22 power-play points (three goals, 19 assists), is a two-time All-American and three-time First Team NCHC selection. He helped Minnesota Duluth win the NCAA Division I championship in 2018 and 2019 and agreed to a two-year, entry-level contract with the Blues on March 27.
Kawaguchi, a 22-year-old junior from Canada, ranked second in the NCAA with 45 points (15 goals, 30 assists) in 33 games. He also had 13 game-winning points (five goals, eight assists) and 15 multipoint games. Kawaguchi, who announced on March 31 that he will return to North Dakota for his senior season, was named a First Team NCHC selection, Forward of the Year in the NCHC, and was a finalist for Player of the Year.
Swayman, a 21-year-old junior, was selected by the Bruins in the fourth round (No. 111) of the 2017 NHL Draft. He was 18-11-5 with a 2.07 goals-against average, .939 save percentage and three shutouts in 34 games, playing all but seven minutes this season, and faced more shots (1,170) and made more saves (1,099) than any NCAA goalie. Swayman won the Walter Brown Award as the top United States-born player in New England and was named Hockey East Player of the Year and First Team Hockey East. He signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Bruins on March 18.
The three finalists were selected from the initial list of top 10 candidates by the 30-member selection committee and an additional round of online fan balloting. Criteria for the award includes a display of outstanding skills in all phases of the game, strength of character on and off the ice, sportsmanship and scholastic achievements.
The 40th Hobey Baker Award ceremony will include the announcements of the Hockey Humanitarian Award, the East and West All-American Teams, and the Mike Richter Award for the top collegiate men's ice hockey goalie.
