Donato, Gaudette Named Hobey Baker Award Hat Trick Finalists

Two of the three Hobey Baker Award Hat Trick Finalists are Massachusetts natives who played their college hockey in Boston. Harvard University's Ryan Donato and Northeastern's Adam Gaudette join Denver University's Henrik Borgstrom as the three finalists for the award honoring the top player in college hockey.

Donato has taken Boston by storm after forgoing his senior season at Harvard to sign his entry-level contract with the Boston Bruins, the organization that selected him in the second round of the 2014 NHL Draft. A native of Scituate, Mass., Donato had 26 goals and 17 assists in 29 games with the Crimson this season. Donato led the nation in goals per game.

The 2017-18 ECAC Hockey Player of the Year also appeared in the Olympic Winter Games for the United States, tallying five goals in five games. Since turning pro, Donato has registered five goals and two assists for the red hot Bruins. Donato, who played for his dad Ted Donato at Harvard, played prep school hockey at Dexter School.

Gaudette helped Northeastern to its first Beanpot title in 30 years and was named the MVP of Boston's hallowed tournament. In addition, the Braintree, Mass., native was named the Hockey East Player of the Year and the Walter Brown Award winner for top American born player in New England college hockey. The Thayer Academy product tallied 30 goals and 30 assists in 38 games this season. He led the nation in goals, points and points per game.

Following Northeastern's ouster from the NCAA Tournament, Gaudette signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Vancouver Canucks, the organization that picked him in the fifth round of the 2015 NHL Draft. He's expected to make his NHL debut Thursday night against the Edmonton Oilers.