Random rink notes: College hockey final today, local girls’ team’s journey ends at USA Hockey nationals

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A few hockey notes before we get to the Kings and Oilers today at Staples Center.

First, if you happened to see the name of the winner of the Hobey Baker Award as the top college hockey player and think his name sounded familiar, you’re right. Wisconsin’s Blake Geoffrion has some impressive bloodlines: his dad, Danny, played in the NHL; his grandfather, Bernie ‘Boom Boom’ Geoffrion is a Hall of Famer; and his great-grandfather, Howie Morenz, was one of the original inductees when the Hockey Hall of Fame was established. Blake grew up in Tennessee and was drafted by the Predators in the 2006 entry draft.

Two Ducks prospects will play alongside Geoffrion on Saturday when Wisconsin faces Boston College for the NCAA title at Detroit’s Ford Field. Jake Gardiner, a 2008 first-round pick by the Ducks, and Justin Schultz, a 2008 second-round selection, have been key players in the Badgers’ march to the title game.

Also, a shout-out to the L.A. Selects girls’ under-19 team, which won its first three games at the USA Hockey Tier I national championships at Green Bay, Wis., but lost in the quarterfinals on Saturday to Shattuck St. Mary’s, 6-2. It was a great run for a team that draws players from all over Southern California, many of whom spend a lot of money and a lot of time on freeways to pursue their passion.

-- Helene Elliott