It has been an incredible year for Vegas Golden Knights prospect Jack Dugan, who was named a finalist for the prestigious Hobey Baker Award last week.
Awarded to the top player in the NCAA, Dugan has been lights out this season and has attracted the attention of a bevy of Vegas Golden Knights fans in the process.
The sophomore has been tearing it up for Providence all year and he led the entire nation in scoring with 52 points (10 goals, 42 assists) in 34 games.
Not only that but the forward also led the NCAA in power play points (17), even-strength points (24) and points per game (1.78).
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Dugan faces stiff competition for the honor, however, with the likes of New York Rangers prospect Morgan Barron also a finalist for the Hobey Baker.
Dugan, who is the first player from Providence to be a finalist for the Hobey Baker since defenseman Rob Gaudreau in 1992, tallied 39 points in his rookie year last season and his 91 points in 75 games leads the NCAA over the past two years.
And he really elevated his game this year, recording at least two points in 14 games, at least three points in five games and three games of four points which also led the nation, while the forward won the league’s Player of the Month Award for October.
The Hobey Hat Trick finalists will be revealed on April. 2, while the Hobey Baker Award winner will be revealed on April. 10.
Here is the full list of the finalists for the Hobey Baker Award:
- Morgan Barron – F – Cornell
- Jason Cotton – F – Sacred Heart
- Jack Dugan – F – Providence
- David Farrance – D – Boston University
- Jordan Kawaguchi – F – North Dakota
- John Leonard – F – Massachusetts
- Dryden McKay – G – Minnesota State
- Marc Michaelis – F – Minnesota State
- Scott Perunovich – D – Minnesota Duluth
- Jeremy Swayman – G – Maine
Given Dugan’s incredible year, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the prospect came out on top and won the Hobey Baker Award.
However, whether he wins the award or not, the future looks to be very bright indeed for Jack Dugan.
Because, although the NHL regular season is currently on pause, it seems to be only a matter of time until Dugan signs his entry-level contract with the Golden Knights.
Once he does that, he will be eligible to make his NHL debut for Vegas should hockey return this year, whether it be the regular season or the playoffs.
If the NHL were to jump straight into postseason action this year, which seems the most likely outcome if sports was to resume, then Dugan could be an intriguing wild card for the Golden Knights.
After all, a plethora of young studs have made their mark in the postseason first, including the likes of Chris Kreider of the New York Rangers, Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy and Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche.
And, even if Dugan didn’t get his chance until next year, there could be a roster spot up for grabs for the 22-year-old.
With the Golden Knights having struggled in the secondary scoring department all year prior to this current hiatus, Dugan could come in and provide an offensive punch from the third-line.
Capable of morphing into a two-way forward who boasts elite vision and playmaking abilities, the right-wing could slot in on the third-line alongside Cody Glass and Alex Tuch, which has all the makings of being a dynamic and explosive trio.
Of course, there is no clear answer as to when the NHL will exactly return but Dugan is on the cusp of being given an opportunity to take that next giant leap.
He has all the weapons in his arsenal along with all the intangibles needed to make it in the National Hockey League, and there is certainly a roster spot or two up for grabs if Dugan can impress in Training Camp.
While winning the Hobey Baker Award would be a huge accomplishment for the player, this looks to be the start of Jack Dugan’s journey towards becoming a real star in the NHL with the Vegas Golden Knights.