You got to love social media.

The Hobey Hat Trick, the top three finalists for the annual Hobey Baker award, which recognizes the best college hockey player, was announced a day early after one of the finalists, Boston College’s Cam Atkinson tweeted Wednesday morning that he had made the cut.  According to the awards website, the honorees were to be announced on Thursday.

Here’s an edited version of the WCHA’s press release …  
The Hobey Baker Memorial Award Foundation on Wednesday announced the three Hobey Hat Trick finalists for the 2011 Hobey Baker Memorial Award, honoring college hockey’s top player.  Alphabetically, they are: Cam Atkinson, Boston College junior forward;  Matt Frattin, North Dakota senior forward; and Andy Miele, senior forward from Miami.
 
The three finalists were selected from the initial list of Top Ten candidates by the 23-member Selection Committee and an additional round of online fan balloting to determine this year’s winner.  Criteria for the award includes: strength of character on and off the ice, displaying outstanding skills in all phases of the game, sportsmanship and scholastic achievements.
 
This year’s Hobey Baker Award winner will be announced Friday, April 8 from the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minn. during the Frozen Four.  The 31st annual announcement will be aired live on ESPNU at 5 p.m. Mountain.

Cam Atkinson – Boston College, Junior, Forward, Greenwich, Connecticut
The Boston College Eagles were led in scoring for the second straight year by Cam Atkinson. The Hockey East firts tema honoree finished second in conference scoring with 38 points in 27 games and led with 24 goals.

He ranks second in the nation in goals and has tallied 61 in the past two seasons.  The communications major recently signed a pro contract with Columbus.   
Matt Frattin – University of North Dakota, Senior, Forward, Edmonton, Alberta
Suspended by his team for the first half of last season, Matt Frattin earned an opportunity to rejoin the squad for the second half, then passed up pro hockey to return for his senior season.  It has paid off.

The WCHA Player of the Year and a first team honoree helped No. 1 North Dakota and the WCHA regular season and playoff titles and a berth in next week’s NCAA Frozen Four.  He led the conference with 22 goals and 40 points in 28 league games. Entering the Frozen Four, his 36 goals and 24 assists for 60 points, places him first in the nation in goals by a lofty 5-goal margin and second in points.  The Recreation and Tourism Studies major is a two-time all-academic honoree and is a draft pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
 
Andy Miele – Miami University of Ohio, Senior, Forward, Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan
He not only tops the nation with 71 points in 39 games, and has an 11-point cushion over Frattin.  He won the CCHA conference scoring title with 16 goals and 40 assists for 56 points in 28 games, the most points in 19 years in conference play.  His 40 assists were more than the second place player had points, a first in league history.  

The CCHA Player of the Year and firts etam honoree has 24 goals and 47 assists for 71 points.  His 47 assists also top the nation.  The assistant captain for the RedHawks is an American studies major with a coaching minor and a future pro free agent.