KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan's Alex Bump, Owen Michaels and Tim Washe have been selected as nominees for the Hobey Baker Award, which was announced this morning. 

The Hobey Baker Award is given annually to the nation's top player. In its history, Western Michigan has had four finalists for the award. WMU's trio joins 94 other players on the nomination list. 

Bump has been exceptional this season, averaging a point per game in his sophomore campaign. Through 20 games, the Prior Lake, Minn. native has 20 points on nine goals and 11 assists. He serves as an assistant captain for the team and has a point in eight of his last 10 games. 

Michaels has taken over the goal scoring duties for the Broncos this season, leading the team with 10 tallies. Along with his goal scoring, the versatile forward has chipped in six assists. Good things tend to happen when he's on the ice, as he boasts a team-leading +16 rating. He's also blocked 14 shots this season. 

Washe is the team's captain, leading the Brown and Gold to one of its best starts in program history. He's had a very balanced year, scoring eight goals while handing out seven assists. The veteran center has gotten it done on both ends this season, scoring five game-winning goals while blocking 16 shots. He is +11 through 20 games. 

The group of 97 players will be narrowed down to 10 on March 19 with Division I coaches voting for three players from their conference and three players from the rest of college hockey. A fan vote will also play a role in narrowing down the field. 

Once the field is narrowed down to 10, a 30-member committee will help shrink the list to the three most deserving players. Another fan vote will commence as well. 

The Hobey Baker Award winner will be announced at the Frozen Four in St. Louis, Mo. on April 11.