Lessard, the Bulldogs’ alternate captain, became the seventh Bulldog to be named a Hobey Baker finalist. Lessard came away with top honors in the WCHA by securing a spot on the All-WCHA First Team, and claimed the illustrious honor of WCHA Player of the year for 2003-04. Lessard helped the Bulldogs advance to the Frozen Four for the first time in 11 years, and was rewarded for his efforts by being named to the NCAA Midwest All-Regional Tournament Team. He led the nation in points (61) and in goals (30). He was the WCHA co-scoring leader with 19 goals and 20 assists in league play. He also tied for second in the NCAA in power play goals (12) and ranked fourth in the NCAA in points per game at (1.46). His prolific goal scoring helped secure UMD to its highest (second) and the best regular season finish (23-10-4) in 11 years. Not withstanding his scoring ability, he was a +22 plus-minus on the season. After spending his first five years of pro hockey split between the NHL (Dallas, Tampa Bay) and several AHL teams, Lessard spent one season playing in Europe, and spent 2010-11 with Idaho in the ECHL. He has retired from pro hockey and resides in his hometown of St. Joseph deBeauce, Quebec.
Top Ten:
Player Stats
| Type | Season | Team Name | League | Goals | Assists | Points | PIM | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Season | 2024-2025 | St-Joseph Familiprix | LHCS | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Hobey Winning Season | 2003-2004 | Univ. of Minnesota-Duluth | NCAA | 32 | 31 | 63 | 34 |
2004 Runner Up
In 2004, goaltender Yann Danis of Brown University was named a “Hobey Hat Trick” finalist for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award, recognizing him as one of the top three players in NCAA men’s ice hockey that season. Danis delivered a stellar senior campaign, posting a 1.81 goals-against average and a .942 save percentage—one of the highest in the nation. His calm, consistent presence in net helped Brown remain competitive throughout the season, and he earned widespread respect for his technical skill, discipline, and leadership. Danis’s selection as a finalist highlighted the impact a dominant goaltender can have at the collegiate level and underscored his commitment to both athletic excellence and academic achievement.
Zach Parise had a stellar two-year career with the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks from 2002 to 2004. In his sophomore and final season in 2003-2004, he was a Top 10 finalist for the Hobey Baker Award. That year, he led his team in scoring with 55 points from 23 goals and 32 assists. His impressive performance also earned him a spot as an All-American and helped lead North Dakota to two NCAA Tournament appearances. He finished his college career with 116 points in just 76 games.
After his successful collegiate career, Parise went on to play in the National Hockey League (NHL) for 19 seasons. Drafted 17th overall by the New Jersey Devils in 2003, he became a star player known for his leadership, two-way game, and scoring ability. He spent seven seasons with the Devils, including a run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2012, before signing a long-term contract with his home state team, the Minnesota Wild. He finished his professional career with the New York Islanders and Colorado Avalanche, amassing 889 points in 1,254 games. He also won a silver medal with Team USA at the 2010 Winter Olympics.