SCHENECTADY, N.Y. -- Much has been said about Union College's Shayne Gostisbehere being one of the best players in college hockey.  Today those claims were validated.

The junior defenseman has been named one of 10 finalists for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award, given to college hockey's top player.  Also on the list: Josh Archibald (Nebraska-Omaha), Greg Carey (St. Lawrence), Nic Dowd (St. Cloud State), Ryan Dzingel (Ohio State), Johnny Gaudreau (Boston College), Kevin Hayes (Boston College), CJ Motte (Ferris State), Joe Rumpel (Wisconsin) and Adam Wilcox (Minnesota).

Gostisbehere is the second Union player to earn such an honor, joining goaltender Troy Grosenick who was a finalist in 2012.

A native of Margate, Fla., Gostisbehere ranks 10th nationally in defenseman scoring (0.78 ppg) and is a finalist for the ECAC Hockey Best Defensive Defenseman Award.  He has set a school record for shots in a season by a defenseman (141) and shares the team lead in plus/minus (+22), while ranking third in block shots (35) and fifth in scoring (28 points).

Gostisbehere received a record-setting 24,608 votes to win the first phase of Hobey Baker fan balloting.  Union fans can continue to Vote for Ghost at www.hobeybakerawardcom.

The ten Hobey finalists were chosen in voting conducted by head coaches from all 59 Division I programs.  A 27-member Selection Committee will determine this year's winner, which will be announced at the Frozen Four in Philadelphia on April 11.  Three finalists, known as the Hobey Baker Hat Trick,  will be announced April 2 to make the trip to Philadelphia.