In Flin Flon, Devin Buffalo was a brick wall in the Bomber crease. In the US, he has a chance to be named the country’s top college hockey player.
Buffalo was nominated for the Hobey Baker Award, given to the NCAA’s top player. Originally from Wetaskiwin, Alta., The 23-year-old goaltender is in his fourth season with the Dartmouth Big Green, sporting a 2.90 goals-against-average and .905 save percentage through 17 games.
“It’s actually been exciting and unexpected,” said Buffalo in an interview on the SJHL’s website.
“I was getting ready for practice a few days ago and a couple guys mentioned seeing the list that came out and my name was on it. I didn’t believe them and I had to go and check it out.”
Before the Ivy League came calling, Buffalo was a three-year starter for the Bombers, playing more than 100 games in Flin Flon’s crease before being dealt to the AJHL’s Drumheller Dragons in his final junior season. Buffalo was named the SJHL’s Rookie of the Year in 2012.
Buffalo isn’t the first Bomber goalie to be nominated for the award. Former Bombers Zane Kalemba and Carsen Chubak were both nominated for their play with Princeton in 2009 and Niagara University in 2013, respectively.
A total of 74 players have been nominated in the first phase of voting, with includes a fan vote. The Bombers have linked to the voting on social media, encouraging fans to vote for Buffalo.
The class will later be narrowed down to 10 players before a final winner is chosen.
