RMU Hockey Players Up for Hobey Baker Award

Derek Schooley, coach for Robert Morris University’s men's ice hockey team, called it the “Heisman of college hockey.”

He’s talking about the Hobey Baker Award --- the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s annual honor for its top hockey player.

Two of RMU’s standout players, Nathan Longpre and Denny Urban, have made the cut for the award this year. They're among 68 players from around the country vying for the distinction.

Fans can vote from now through March 6 on Hobeybakeraward.com, but in the end,  a committee decides the winner of the prestigious award. The announcement comes April 8.

“These are two very special, talented young men,” said Schooley said.

“It’s a treat to be able to coach these guys, but even more so to just watch them play," he said.

“These are upper-echelon guys. There are 12 men on the ice at any given time, but your eyes can’t help but follow those two.”

Since its start in 2004, RMU hockey has emerged as a force to be reckoned with in the Division I hockey world. Schooley said seniors Longpre and Urban have been crucial to the team’s legacy -- already they’ve made their mark as the most productive duo in the team’s history.

“The five seniors that we have right now are all extremely talented players, but it’s their leadership that separates them from the rest of the team,” Schooley said. “These guys have all been through so much, and they’ve all been a big part of the program’s rise over the last few years.”

Longpre, a 6’0’’, 170-pound center from Ontario, and Urban,  a 5’10’’, 170-pound Pittsburgh native, joined RMU as freshman during the 2007-2008 season and made their presence known early.  The two shared the Continental Hockey Association All-Rookie status as well as the Colonials’ Rooking of the Year Honors. Since then, the accolades have continued to pile up.

Longpre has been an offensive juggernaut for the Colonials. He was the first player in team history to record four goals in one game, and he currently stands tied with the program’s all-time scoring leader, with 136 points. He needs just one more point to surpass Chris Margott as the most proficient scorer in Colonial hockey history.

“Nathan is lethal with the puck,” said Schooley. “But I love that fact that the majority of his points comes from assists. That just goes to show you the selflessness that he possesses, and his ability to create plays for his teammates.”

While Urban is listed as a defenseman, you wouldn’t know it by his stats -- he’s an active leader in the NCAA Division I in career points from a defenseman. He’s never had fewer than 21 points in a season, and he’s notched 38 so far this year.

“I couldn’t think of two more deserving, more qualified guys than Nathan and Denny,” Schooley said. “They’re not only great players, but their great ambassadors for the RMU program as well as the university.”