CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. — ECAC Hockey has announced three finalists for the 2023 Men’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Travis Mitchell (Cornell), Baker Shore (Harvard), and Matt Verboon (Colgate).
The ECAC’s Men’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year is an award annually presented to an ECAC Hockey male athlete who most embodies the qualities of excellence and leadership on the ice, in the classroom, and throughout their community.
In 2022, Union forward Josh Kosack was presented with the honor for his efforts on campus and in Schenectady, including “Kozi’s Kids,” Kosack’s charitable initiative to bring local kids to Union hockey games.
The winner of the award will be announced in conjunction with the 2023 ECAC Hockey Men’s Awards Banquet on Thursday, March 16, ahead of the 2023 ECAC Hockey Men’s Tournament in Lake Placid.
Travis Mitchell (Sr., Cornell)
Throughout his four years suiting up for the Big Red, senior defender Travis Mitchell has made a tangible impact not only on the ice, but also in the classroom with his peers and in the Ithaca community.
A Dean’s List honoree during every semester he was eligible, Mitchell is working towards his bachelor’s degree in applied economics and management with a minor in real estate. He has been a part of the Cornell Red Key Society, an honors program for student-athletes, and has balanced the rigor of a Division I hockey schedule with his Ivy League academics.
Off the ice, Mitchell has been active in the Ithaca community, wholly committed to giving back to those around him. As a leader of the team on and off the ice, Mitchell has spearheaded the program’s community service efforts while also taking initiative with his own charity work. He has been involved with the Racker Center, a local program providing aid and advocacy for individuals with disabilities, and has contributed to the growth of the game of hockey by volunteering at “Try Hockey for Free” camps in his native Michigan.
For the four years that he’s lacing up his skates to get on the ice at Lynah Rink, Mitchell has been one of the best two-way defenders the program has seen, contributing across the board on the power play and the penalty kill. He is a leader in every sense of the word, evidenced by a unanimous appointment to the captaincy ahead of the 2022-23 season.
Baker Shore (Sr., Harvard)
A senior forward and captain for the Crimson, Baker Shore has been a standout player and a standout individual since the moment he donned the Harvard crest during the 2018-2019 season.
Shore, an Economics major, has maintained a 3.826 grade point average over the course of his studies and consistently been one of the team’s top performers in the classroom. He is a three-time ECAC Hockey All-Academic Team honoree and a two-time Krampade All-American Scholar.
On the team, Shore has played an integral role in the program’s community involvement. He is a volunteer and fundraiser with One Summit, a program designed to build resilience in cancer patients, by participating in an annual skate with sick children. Shore has also helped grow the game through his work with Team IMPACT, which matches children facing serious illnesses to college teams to provide life-changing experiences for all parties involved. Shore personally worked with Team IMPACT athlete Parker Watson to help him get acclimated with the team.
Furthermore, Shore has been an asset to the Crimson on the ice and in the locker room. Named captain in advance of the 2022-23 season, Shore has helped Harvard to an 18-4-0 league record this season, putting up ten points and three game-winners during the regular season.
Matt Verboon (Sr., Colgate)
A senior forward at Colgate, Matt Verboon has been on the top of his game in every aspect of his life, from his tenacity on the ice to his hard work in the classroom and beyond.
Verboon is currently in his fourth year pursuing his bachelor’s degree in physics with an economics minor, and has maintained a 3.69 grade point average. He has spent seven semesters on Colgate’s Dean’s List and is a three-time Raider Academic Honor Roll selection and ECAC Hockey All-Academic Team selection (2019-2022). He has been a part of several research projects and is described as diligent, careful, and possessing a keen attention to detail.
An active contributor to the culture of Colgate and to the community initiatives around Hamilton, Verboon recently participated in a 3-on-3 hockey tournament to fundraise for Colgate’s Interfraternity Council. Off campus, he has volunteered at a local food pantry and been a part of a welcoming committee for Hamilton Central Schools.
On the ice, Verboon has been outstanding for the Raiders. His 15 goals and 32 points both rank second on the team, and is known for being a reliable leader among and mentor for his peers. Verboon possesses a “team-first” attitude and has a strong work ethic, powered by a passion for and commitment to success that set him apart from so many in the college hockey landscape.
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