ROCHESTER, N.Y. – RIT fifth-year defenseman Gianfranco Cassaro, junior goaltender Tommy Scarfone and junior forward Carter Wilkie were nominated for the 2024 Hobey Baker Award, annually presented to the nation's top men's hockey player.
 
All nominated for the award for the second-straight season, the Tiger trio is among 84 players nominated for the award based on the following criteria: 

• Strength of character, on and off the ice
• Contribution to the integrity of the team and outstanding skills in all phases of the game
• Scholastic achievement and sportsmanship
• Compliance with all NCAA rules, including being a full-time student in an accredited college or university and completing 50 percent or more of the season

Cassaro currently ranks first nationally among defensemen with 11 goals, and is also tied for third among all players with five game-winning goals as well as tied for 15th with six power-play tallies. In three seasons with the Tigers, the transfer has scored 62 points to date, including 28 goals which is the most by a Division I-era defenseman. The Nobleton, Ont. native was named Atlantic Hockey First-Team All-Conference last winter after scoring 32 points, including 14 goals which were the most ever by a D1-era Tiger defenseman.     
 
Scarfone currently ranks second nationally (and first among goalies with at least 50% of their team minutes played) with a .932 save percentage, and is tied for fourth in victories with a 15-7-1 record. In 15 Atlantic Hockey games, he leads the way with an 11-4-0 record, a .929 save percentage and a 2.05 goals against average. Recently named to the Richter Award Watch list, the Montreal, Que. native moved atop the Tigers' Division I-era wins list with a 45-27-3 record the last three seasons and also logged his eighth career shutout in a 3-0 victory over Bentley last Friday – the most in the conference among active goaltenders.  
 
Wilkie currently sits seventh in Atlantic Hockey and first for the Tigers with 26 points, as well as tied for seventh with 11 goals and 15 assists. Also ranked second nationally with 362 faceoff victories, the reigning Atlantic Hockey Player of the Year and Preseason Player of the Year was named the Atlantic Hockey Player of the Week after a seven-point weekend versus Robert Morris, including two goals and an assist in the opening 6-3 victory (Jan. 19) and a goal and three assists in the 7-1 win the following night. The Calgary, Alta. native moved up to 17th in D1-era program history with 96 points, four shy of becoming the 14th 100-point scorer on the list.
 
The first phase of fan balloting runs now through March 5. Fans can cast their vote daily by going to the Hobey Baker website at hobeybaker.com/vote and reviewing all the nominees.
 
A list of 10 semifinalists will be announced on March 20 when the second phase of voting will run through March 31. Three finalists will comprise the "Hobey Hat Trick," to be announced on April 4, before the award is presented on April 11 during the NCAA Frozen Four in Tampa, Florida.