By Jared Shafran, News Staff

When former Northeastern hockey goalie Brad Thiessen made the trip to Washington D.C. as a Hobey Baker Hat Trick Finalist, he said he was hoping to win the award. Although he came up short, he did not come home emptyhanded. Thiessen was named a first team All-American at a ceremony held at the Verizon Center where the Frozen Four was played.
As a Hobey finalist, Thiessen was recognized as one of the top three players in Division I college hockey.
Since the season ended a few weeks ago with a loss to Cornell in the NCAA tournament, Thiessen has still been busy, signing a two-year professional contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins last week.
Thiessen said he and his agent fielded calls from interested teams and narrowed down a list of five to seven teams they thought might need a goaltender.
Soon after, he made the decision to go with the Penguins, a team that also signed senior Husky captain Joe Vitale to a contract just days before.
Currently, Thiessen is a member of the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins, Pittsburgh’s AHL affiliate.
‘It’s nice [that Vitale is with Pittsburgh], but it wasn’t at the top of my list,’ Thiessen said. ‘Next year, I have a good chance of playing a lot in Wilkes Barre-Scranton. They have had a lot of very good teams there and I am looking forward to being a part of that.’
Thiessen played every minute in net for the Huskies this season and going into the NCAA Tournament, he led the nation in minutes and saves.
‘I am going to miss Matthews Arena, and playing in front of that crowd,’ Thiessen said. ‘I will always remember being part of the resurgence of NU hockey it was very special to be a part of and I will take it with me wherever I go.’
Boston University’s Matt Gilroy won the Hobey Baker Award, beating out Thiessen and fellow Terrier Colin Wilson.
The Terriers also won the national championship, defeating Miami (OH) Saturday in overtime.