RMU Hockey: Cody Wydo Becomes First Hobey Baker Award Finalist In Program History
By Matt Gajtka
Robert Morris senior captain Cody Wydo (left) celebrates a goal in a game earlier this season. He was named a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award on Thursday. (Photo: RMU Athletics/Jason Cohn)
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Robert Morris University senior captain Cody Wydo continues to make program history, becoming the first Colonial to be named a Hobey Baker Award finalist, as announced Thursday by the award committee.
The Hobey Baker Award is college hockey’s most prestigious individual honor, as it annually recognizes the student-athlete judged to be the best player in the nation. The 10 finalists were selected by voting from all 59 Division I head coaches and online fan balloting at HobeyBakerAward.com.
“It’s an amazing feeling to be recognized on that list,” Wydo said. “I would not be there without my teammates’ help, so have to give them credit as well.”
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Wydo, who was also a Hobey Baker candidate last season, is RMU’s all-time leading scorer with 148 points in 150 career games. The winger from Southgate, Mich., is the active Division I leader in goals (84) and has recorded 41 points (19g, 22a) this season to lead the Colonials as they earned their first regular-season Atlantic Hockey Conference title.
“I want to congratulate Cody on a truly phenomenal season,” said RMU head coach Derek Schooley. “His accolades this season make him the most decorated player in Colonial hockey history and one of the most decorated Robert Morris athletes ever in any sport. Being a finalist for such a prestigious award is a tremendous achievement and the RMU players and staff couldn’t be happier for him.”
Wydo and the nine other Hobey Baker finalists will now enter the final round of scrutiny leading up to the presentation of the prize April 10 at the NCAA Frozen Four in Boston. The 27-member Hobey Baker selection committee – in addition to the final round of fan balloting online – will determine this year’s winner. Fans can vote for their favorite player once per day from March 19-29.
After playing his junior hockey for the Motor City (Mich.) Metal Jackets of the North American Hockey League, Wydo arrived on the RMU campus as a proven scorer. He has only burnished that reputation over the past four years, with his program-record 31-goal, 54-point junior season standing out as one of many highlights. Wydo is the Colonials’ all-time leader in goals (84), points (148), games played (150), shots on goal (480), plus-minus rating (plus-54) and shorthanded goals (six).
Making the Hobey Baker final 10 is just the latest recognition for Wydo. He was recently named to the All-AHC First Team for the second consecutive year, adding to an AHC tournament MVP last March and a spot on the 2013-14 All-USCHO Second Team, which was a first for the RMU program.
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Hobey Baker finalists are evaluated based on the following criteria: outstanding skills in all phases of the game, scholastic achievement, and strength of character on and off the ice. On top of his in-game accomplishments, Wydo was an AHC All-Academic Team honoree in each of his first three RMU seasons and is on track to earn his bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance.
Along with many of his teammates, Wydo has served as a volunteer for the Arctic Foxes youth hockey program and the Sewickley Harvest Festival, in addition to his previous role as coordinator of the Colonials’ roadside cleanup initiative.
Wydo and the Colonials will shoot for their second consecutive Atlantic Hockey postseason title – and NCAA tournament berth – this weekend in Rochester, N.Y. RMU faces in-state rival Mercyhurst in an AHC semifinal game at 5 p.m. Friday, with the winner advancing to play in Saturday’s championship contest.