The Hobey Baker Award is the top honor bestowed upon a NCAA college hockey player, with such notable winners in recent years like Macklin Celebrini, Cole Caufield, Cale Maker, Jack Eichel and Johnny Gaudreau. The top 10 finalists are decided by a panel consisting of all 64 Division 1 college head coaches, as well as online fan voting. The criteria for a player who is a finalist consist of:
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Displaying outstanding skills in all phases of the game.
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Strength of character on and off the ice.
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Sportsmanship.
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And scholastic achievements.
The winner will be announced on Friday, April 11th during the Frozen Four in St. Louis, Missouri. The top 10 finalists are:
Zeev Buium - Defense - University of Denver
Drafted 12th overall by the Minnesota Wild in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, Zeev Buium has excelled in what is likely to be his final season in the NCAA, notching 42 points in 36 games, as well as being a member of Team USA who recently won their second consecutive World Junior Hockey Championship.
Jack Devine - Forward - University of Denver
Drafted in the 7th round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft by the Florida Panthers, Jack Devine has notched 54 points in 39 games, his second consecutive 50 point season as well as receiving the NCHC Scoring Title. A Senior at Denver, Devine will be hoping to make an impact at the professional level this coming season with the Panthers.
Aiden Fink - Forward - Penn State University
Drafted in the 7th round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft by the Nashville Predators, Aiden Fink is the owner of the highest points per game average in all of NCAA, with 1.41 points per game. This has led him to a 52 point season in just 37 games, as well as First Team All-Conference honors.
Mac Gadowsky - Defense - Army West Point
Defensemen Mac Godowsky is the first Hobey Baker finalist to come from Army West Point, and he absolutely deserves it, putting up 42 points in 38 games, second in the nation amongst defensemen, as well as earning Defensemen of the Year.
Isaac Howard - Forward - Michigan State University
Michigan State has been an absolute wagon this season, and it's large in part due to the performance of Isaac Howard. Drafted 31st overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, Howard has 47 points in 35 games under his belt, including 24 goals which is tied for 3rd in the country.
Ryan Leonard - Forward - Boston College
Boston College currently ranks atop the NCAA rankings, and Ryan Leonard has been a massive part of that, with 47 points in 35 games, including leading the country with 29 goals. Drafted 8th overall by the Washington Capitals in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, Leonard also recently captained Team USA to their second consecutive World Junior Hockey Championship victory. Leonard will be hoping to make the jump to the NHL next season, and there is no doubt he’s immediately going to be an impact player.
Ayrton Martino - Forward - Clarkson University
Drafted in the 3rd round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft by the Dallas Stars, Ayrton Martino of Clarkson University notched 49 points in 37 games, becoming the ECAC Scoring Champion in the process. Martino also possesses an incredible clutch factor, with 8 game winning goals across the season.
Liam McLinskey - Forward - College of the Holy Cross
Repeating as Hobey Baker finalist from last season, Liam McLinskey deserves to have his name written amongst the best players in the country once again, putting up 51 points in 39 games for the College of the Holy Cross. McLinskey also developed the defensive side of his game this season, helping his team tie juggernaut Boston College as the most effective penalty killing team in the country,
Jimmy Snuggerud - Forward - University of Minnesota
Drafted 23rd overall by the St. Louis Blues in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, Jimmy Snuggerud finishes his Junior season with 49 points in 39 games, good for 5th in the country in total points. Snuggerud is sure to be competing for a spot with the Blues at the start of the 2025-2026 NHL Season.
Alex Tracy - Goalie - Minnesota State University
The sole netminder on this list, Alex Tracy is looking to follow in his predecessor Dryden McKay’s footsteps and become the second goalie from Minnesota State to win the Hobey Baker in 3 years. Tracy ranks at the top of the country in both goals against average and save percentage and is a big part of the reason Minnesota State has found themselves in the CCHA Championship Game.
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