Gustav Nyquist, who was drafted by the Red Wings (121st overall) back in 2008 has been named a Top Ten finalist for this years Hobey Baker Award 
which is given to the top NCAA men’s hockey player.
Nyquist, who is a junior forward currently playing for the University of Maine is a repeat candidate and Hobey Hat Trick finalist from last season and has led the Black Bears in scoring for the past two seasons. Nyquist has also been named a Hockey East first team all-star and is presently tied for seventh in the nation in scoring with 51 points in 36 games.
“It’s a huge honor again,” Nyquist said. “Obviously, getting down to the top three last year was a huge honor, and it was an unbelievable honor to go to the Frozen Four and the Hobey Baker ceremony. It’s a big honor to be a part of this, which is the biggest honor in college hockey.”
Nyquist hasn’t commented much on his future with Maine or the Detroit Red Wings however in a March 13th report from the Detroit Free Press, Red Wings assistant general manager Jim Nill said that he expects to hear from Nyquist on whether or not he is going to forgo his senior season with Maine and sign an entry level contract with the Wings.
“He’ll decide over the next week whether he’ll turn pro or not,” said Nill, who said he saw Nyquist play three times in person this season. “He might have exams. He has to talk with his parents and decide. If he’s willing to come out, we’d like to get him signed to turn him pro.”
If Nyquist were to sign that entry level contract with the Wings he would be assigned to Grand Rapids of the AHL.
According to RedWingsCentral.com, Nyquist is an outstanding two way player, an extremely hard worker that is an effective penalty killer and capable of stripping the opponent of the puck. His drawback is he is small and needs to get strong and stronger on the puck.
Source: Detroit Free Press, HobeyBakerAward.com, RedWingsCentral.com, Morning Sentinal
