When we last left John-Michael Liles two weeks ago, he had just accidentally scored a goal on his own net, thus sealing MSU's season-ending 7-5 loss to Northern Michigan.
Afterward, the superlative senior defenseman was too distraught to talk to the media. His four-year Spartan career had just ended in a cruelly ironic manner, and MSU had failed to qualify for the NCAA Tournament for the first time in nine years.
But since that day, Liles has steadily moved through the healing process. He signed a professional contract with the Colorado Avalanche and is now playing with the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League.
Furthermore, this afternoon, he might become one of three finalists for the Hobey Baker Award, given annually to college hockey's outstanding player. Liles is one of 10 semifinalists hoping to make the cut.
"I think my chances are OK," Liles said from Norfolk, Va., where the Bears play tonight. "If I make it, I'll be really happy. But it's not the end of my life if I don't.
"I actually thought about it more when I was at school, but now I'm trying to focus on what I'm doing out here. It's kind of my time to move on."
Liles' Hobey fate is in the hands of the 25 coaches, media and pro scouts on the award Selection Committee. The three finalists will be honored at the Frozen Four next week in Buffalo, N.Y., and the recipient will be named April 11.
Liles isn't considered a front-runner for the award, but it wouldn't be a shock if he made the list of finalists.
Colorado College forward Peter Sejna and Ferris State forward Chris Kunitz - the nation's two leading scorers - appear to be the favorites, but Liles, Cornell goaltender Dave LeNeveu and Colorado College defenseman Tom Preissing are thought to be among the second tier of candidates.
In Liles' favor, he was the second-highest-scoring defenseman nationally with 50 points (16 goals, 34 assists) this year. He trailed only Preissing, who had 52 points and played three more games.
Liles also led MSU in points for the second straight season - a feat never before accomplished by a Spartan blueliner - and he won the CCHA's Best Offensive Defenseman award.
"He should have a chance, but I think it's an underdog chance," MSU head coach Rick Comley said. "I think he's a top-five guy, and hopefully higher."
Comley worries that because Kunitz is also from the CCHA, the Bulldog might steal some Midwest-based votes from Liles. Kunitz finished second in the nation with 79 points (35, 44).
"Kunitz has had an unbelievable year, but careerwise, I'd take Liles hands-down," Comley said.
Aside from Kunitz's proximity, MSU's sub-standard season (23-14-2) is also working against Liles. Sejna, Preissing, Kunitz and LeNeveu all play on teams ranked in the top five in the most recent USCHO.com poll.
But that doesn't matter to Alaska-Fairbanks head coach Guy Gadowsky, who got an eyeful of Liles four times this season.
"In my opinion, he's the best defenseman in the nation by a bunch," Gadowsky said. "His numbers are so astronomical that his ability defensively might be overshadowed. He does everything so well.
"I gained a whole new respect for him in the playoffs because he blocked so many shots, made so many defensive plays, controlled the play so well, and basically just sacrificed his body against us.
"And with the puck on his stick, he just kills you."
