Boston University freshman center Jack Eichel, a projected top-two pick at the 2015 NHL Draft, was announced Thursday as one of 10 finalists for the 2015 Hobey Baker Award presented annually to college hockey's top player.

The other finalists are left wing Daniel Ciampini of Union College; center Matt Garbowsky of Rochester Institute of Technology; center Zach Hyman (Florida Panthers) of the University of Michigan; center Tanner Kero of Michigan Tech; defenseman Joey LaLeggia (Edmonton Oilers) of the University of Denver; goalie Zane McIntyre (Boston Bruins) of the University of North Dakota; defenseman Mike Reilly (Columbus Blue Jackets) of the University of Minnesota; left wing Jimmy Vesey (Nashville Predators) of Harvard University; and left wing Cody Wydo of Robert Morris University.

Eichel, 18, leads the NCAA with 41 assists, 61 points and a plus-42 rating in 34 games. He could become the first freshman in 22 years to win the Hobey Baker; he's the first freshman to be named a finalist in 12 years.

The 10 candidates were selected by voting from all 59 Division I college hockey head coaches and by online fan balloting at www.hobeybakeraward.com. The 27-member selection committee and an additional round of online balloting will determine the 2015 winner.

The three finalists will be revealed April 2 and the Hobey Baker Award winner will be announced April 10 during the NCAA Frozen Four at Matthews Arena in Boston. The announcement will be televised live on the NHL Network at 5 p.m. ET.

The only college freshman to win Hobey Baker was Paul Kariya of the University of Maine in 1992-93. Kariya was the last freshman to lead the NCAA in scoring, with 100 points (25 goals, 75 assists) in 39 games. Kariya holds the record for highest point-per-game average (2.56) for an NHL draft-eligible freshman since 1992-93.

Eichel, No. 2 on NHL Central Scouting's midterm ranking of the top North American skaters eligible for the 2015 draft, is second on that list with a 1.79 points-per-game average.

Follow Mike Morreale on Twitter at: @mikemorrealeNHL