SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – Senior forward Daniel Ciampini of Union College has been named one of 10 finalists for the Hobey Baker Award, given annually to the nation’s top collegiate player.
Ciampini was chosen from ballotting among the 59 NCAA Division I head coaches. The next round of voting will be conducted by a 27-member selection committee with the Hobey Baker Hat Trick (three finalists) being named April 2. The award winner will be announced on April 10 at the NCAA Frozen Four in Boston.
Ciampini becomes the third Hobey Baker finalist in four seasons for Union, joining defensemanShayne Gostisbehere (2014) and goaltender Troy Grosenick (2012). Ciampini incidentally, made his professional debut last night, joining Grosenick on the ice as a member of the AHL’s Worcester Sharks.
An economics major who just finished his last term at Union, Ciampini turned in one of the best offensive seasons in Union’s history in 2014-15. He tied the school’s single-season record points record (50), sharing team scoring honors with Mike Vecchione, and ranking ninth nationally with a 1.28 points per game average. He also led the team in goals (26), finishing one shy of the school season record, while ranking second in the nation in that category. In addition, Ciampini led the Dutchmen in shots (126), plus/minus (+21), power play goals (9) and game-winning goals (5) over the course of 39 games.
Ciampini was named National Player of the Month for January by the Hockey Commissioner’s Association (HCA) and was a two-time Player of the Month selection by ECAC Hockey. Among his season highlights were a six-point performance (three goals, three assists) against Rensselaer in the Capital District Mayor’s Cup (Jan. 24), which tied a Union single-game points record, and a five-point night (three goals, two assists) versus Princeton (Nov. 15). Ciampini stockpiled 25 points (16-9) over an 11-game span (Dec. 5-Jan. 30) and strung together a seven-game goal-scoring streak.
Off the ice, Ciampini started a program with a local hospital which allowed young cancer patients and their families the chance to attend home games at Messa Rink. He took time to meet with his guests after every game. Ciampini also joined his teammates in serving the annual Thanksgiving dinner at the Schenectady YMCA Residential Center and continued his tradition of giving away pucks to youngsters in the crowd as the last Dutchmen to leave the ice in pregame warm-ups.
“Anytime you’re up for the Hobey Baker Award, you’ve had a consistent year and Daniel did that,” said Union Head Coach Rick Bennett. “Daniel obviously put the puck in the back of the net better than a majority of the guys in the country. I think that really stuck out. Just as important were the things he did off the ice. He arranged for children and their families to attend our games and that was absolutely first class.”
The 24-year-old Ciampini finished his career with 63 goals and 55 assists for 118 points in 131 games. He ranks 12th on the school’s all-time scoring list.
