Spencer Abbott of Maine, Jack Connolly of Minnesota-Duluth and Austin Smith of Colgate were named Thursday as the finalists for the Hobey Baker award, given to the nation’s top college hockey player.

The Hobey Baker Memorial Award Foundation identified the three seniors from a list of 10 candidates for the award.

Abbott leads the nation in scoring and assists, with 21 goals and 41 assists. He has signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Connolly won the WCHA scoring title and was the league’s player of the year. He had 20 goals and 40 assists.

Smith had 36 goals and 21 assists to win the ECAC scoring title.

Smith, the conference player of the year, was drafted in the fifth round by Dallas.

This year’s Hobey Baker winner will be announced April 6 in Tampa, Fla., during the NCAA Frozen Four.

NHL SIGNINGS: Forwards Abbott and Brian Flynn agreed to NHL one-year entry level professional contracts, bringing to three the number of Black Bears who have moved on to the pros.

Abbott, an undrafted free agent, signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs and accepted an amateur tryout contract with the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League, where he will play for the rest of the regular season and playoffs.

Abbott had 54 goals and 92 assists in his collegiate career with Maine.

Flynn, also an undrafted free agent, joined the Buffalo Sabres and will finish the season with the Rochester Americans of the AHL.

Flynn had 18 goals and 30 assists this season, capping his four seasons at Maine with 69 goals and 87 assists.

Defenseman Will O’Neill signed with the Winnipeg Jets eariler this week.