Moore a finalist for Hobey Baker prize Leveille, Bishop also honored

University of Maine right winger and captain Greg Moore of Lisbon, the Black Bears’ leading scorer with 26 goals and 16 assists in 38 games, has been named one of 10 Hobey Baker Award finalists and a first-team All-Hockey East selection.

He is the school’s ninth different finalist for college hockey’s top award- David Capuano and Jean-Yves Roy were two-time finalists – and the first since Steve Kariya in 1999.

Moore also was chosen the runnerup to Boston University center Brad Zancanaro for the league’s best defensive forward award.

Moore’s linemate, center Michel Leveille, was a second- team All-HE choice and goalie Ben Bishop was selected to the league’s All-Rookie team.

The other finalists for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award are Colorado College’s Marty Sertich and Brett Sterling; Denver’s Matt Carle, Chris Collins of Boston College, Brian Elliott of Wisconsin, Miami-Ohio’s Andy Greene, Nebraska-Omaha’s Scott Parse, Minnesota’s Ryan Potulny and St. Lawrence’s T.J. Trevelyan.

The field will be narrowed to three finalists, and the award will be presented Friday, April 7, at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, site of the Frozen Four.

“I was surprised,” said Moore. “There are so many great players having great seasons. It’s tough to pick 10 guys from the entire country.

“It’s definitely a good feeling to get recognized. It definitely means a lot to me,” added Moore.

He has 12 power-play goals and four game-winners. He has 12 multiple-point games and he has registered at least one point in 26 of Maine’s 38 games.

He is believed to be the first state of Maine native to be a Hobey Baker Award finalist.

“I’m fortunate to be in the position I am. I’m proud to be from the state of Maine and playing for this program,” said Moore. “It means a lot to me.”

Boston College senior captain Peter Harrold, who was chosen the league’s best old- time hockey defenseman, said Moore is “strong as a horse and he plays that way. He’s a gritty player who can score. He does it all. He’s an NHL-type of power forward.”

Maine coach Tim Whitehead said Moore “fits right in” with the school’s other Hobey Baker Award finalists.

“He has been fabulous this season in every situation: offensively, defensively, power play, penalty killing, first and last minutes of a period, faceoffs, physically and as a leader,” said Whitehead. “You’d be hard-pressed to find a more complete player to have ever come through the University of Maine.”

Moore said he still doesn’t consider himself a pure goal scorer but that he has “worked hard at getting a lot of ugly goals.”

The 6-foot-1, 214-pound Moore said he had “high expectations” for this season including being more consistent.

“When I’ve had the puck on my stick, I’ve been a little more patient and have done a little better job creating space for myself in which to make a play. When you have guys on your line like Michel Leveille and Josh Soares, it makes it easy,” said Moore.

Leveille, a center, had 14 goals and 22 assists in 33 games. He missed five games due to a knee injury and still plays with a brace on his knee.

“Without my linemates, I wouldn’t be able to perform like that,” said Leveille, who had 10 multiple-point games and a 14-game scoring streak at one point. “Greg and Josh play real well together and we all know where each other is on the ice.”

Whitehead said for Leveille to play as well as he has with the knee brace is a “remarkable accomplishment. It’s a statement about his toughness, talent and focus. He has been a remarkable player for us.”

The 6-foot-7, 217-pound Bishop has compiled a 19-6-2 record, a 2.21 goals-against average and a .906 save percentage.

“He’s definitely one of the premier goalies in the league and the country as well,” said BC’s Harrold.

Bishop said it was a “great honor” to be chosen to the All-Rookie team.

“There’s no way a goalie can get that kind of honor without the guys in front of me. I owe a lot to the forwards and defense,” said Bishop. “I’ve learned so much from the first day of practice to now.”

He has held opponents to two goals or less in 17 of his 26 starts.

He also credited assistant coach Grant Standbrook for playing a vital role in his development.