Goodrich’s Brad Smith is the first Martian beneficiary of a new award in Michigan high school hockey this season.
The Hobey Baker Award, long a staple of college hockey, was established at the high school level this season.
Each high school hockey program in Michigan may select a recipient of the award, which is given to the player who best exemplifies character on and off the ice, sportsmanship, teamwork and leadership.
‘That’s what Hobey Baker was all about,? Goodrich coach Doug Van Kuren said of the award’s namesake.
Van Kuren also said Smith, a senior at GHS who started every game in goal for the Martians this past season, is a very worthy recipient of the award.
‘I believe Brad deserves it,? Van Kuren said. ‘He played sick for us several times. He never let us down, he was a leader on and off the ice, and he was always positive with the rest of the team. I felt hands down he deserved it.?
The original Hobey Baker Award, given to the nation’s most outstanding collegiate hockey player, was first awarded in 1981 in honor of Baker, a charter member of the United States Hockey Hall of Fame and one of a select few Americans in the Canadian Hockey Hall of Fame.
According to the Hobey Baker Web site (www.HobeyBaker.com), Baker was the captain of the Princeton University hockey and football teams, and later served his country as a pilot in World War I. He was about to return from France for a hero’s welcome back in the U.S. when he was killed at the age of 26 while testing repaired aircraft.
Van Kuren said he thinks Smith, who was part of the Flint Junior Generals team last summer, will try out again for the team this summer. He also expects Smith to attend college, although he said Smith did not know where he was attending college as of press time.