Hobey Baker finalists down to 3: Aston-Reese, Butcher, Vecchione

Northeastern's Zach Aston-Reese, Denver's Will Butcher, and Union's Mike Vecchione were named the final three candidates for the Hobey Baker Award, the selection committee announced Thursday.

The honor is given annually to the top U.S. college hockey player, and the final three are revealed each year as the 'Hobey Baker Hat Trick.'

Aston-Reese led the nation with 31 goals and tied for top spot on the NCAA Division I points list with 63 in 38 games for the Huskies in his senior season.

He signed an entry-level deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins earlier this month, and will spend the rest of this season with the AHL's Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on an amateur tryout.

Butcher is the first defenseman to be named a Hobey Baker Hat Trick finalist since 2009 winner Matt Gilroy. Butcher ranked second in the nation in points (36) by a blue-liner and was named Offensive Defenseman of the Year in the NCHC.

He's a major reason the top-ranked Pioneers are heading to the Frozen Four, and once his NCAA season ends, the Colorado Avalanche will have until Aug. 15 to sign the graduating rearguard to a contract after making him a fifth-round pick in 2013.

Vecchione finished second behind Aston-Reese with 29 goals and tied him for top spot in the country with 63 points. Vecchione was named ECAC Player of the Year and was a finalist for the conference's Best Defensive Forward award.