Hobey Baker Top 10 Predictions
Image Courtesy: Hobey Baker Award
THE HOBEY BAKER AWARD TOP 10 IS RELEASED IN MARCH. WHO WILL SURVIVE THIS ROUND OF VOTING?
WRITTEN BY JAMES BLENNAU
The Hobey Baker Award is considered the “Hockey Heisman,” awarded annually to the best overall player in college hockey. This year's first list of nominees had 98 players, with each of the 64 teams nominating up to three players for the award. With a list of candidates including stars like Ryan Leonard, Aiden Fink and Jack Devine, who will make it to the top 10 this March?
Ryan Leonard
Leonard is just about the dictionary definition of an impact player. With 23 goals and 12 assists in 27 games played, he is undisputedly the best player on the #1 Eagles’ roster. Leonard also holds the third-best CHIP rating from CHN’s Hobey tracker. If he continues his performance from this season and with Team USA, he may be the favorite for the award come the top 10 list.
Image Courtesy: BC Interruption
Isaac Howard
Howard has been a shining star for the Big Ten’s best all year long. His relentless presence and point-per-game line so far this year reflect his beginnings at the famous Shattuck-St. Mary’s high school. If Sparty takes back the #1 spot in the USCHO poll, it may not just be Trey Augustine with a hand in that process.
Image Courtesy: The State News
JIMMY SNUGGERUD
Snuggy has been a Hobey candidate for as long as I can remember. The Golden Gophers’ captain in his junior season has done just about everything there is to earn a contract with the Blues. While his linemates have come and gone, 81 is putting up what could be his best campaign yet averaging just over 2 points per game. Don’t let his consistently overlooked as a star reputation fool you, he’s still one of the best forwards in the nation.
Image Courtesy: Star Tribune
JOEY MULDOWNEY
After seeing him play with UConn at CT Ice in person, it’s hard to leave this Husky underrated for too long. With 32 points in 27 games not to mention in an extremely competitive top of the Hockey East, his consistency is something Mike Cavanaugh’s squad would dearly miss in his absence. As the Huskies climb the polls, Muldowney continues to climb the Hobey candidate rankings.
Image Courtesy: Hockey East
QUINN FINLEY
A friend once told me Wisconsin was the “Quinn Finley Show” earlier this season, and while it may not still be that, 34 points in 30 games is nothing to be ashamed of. Finley’s star power this season helped Wisconsin stay relevant in an impossible Big Ten, and he’s been one of the key pieces in Mike Hastings’ coaching breakout in Madison. The Islanders will be keen to extend a deal to the sophomore if he continues this pace, possibly in the top 10 list.
Image Courtesy: Daily Faceoff
AIDEN FINK
Fink has been the driving force in Hockey Valley this season for a struggling Nittany Lions team. A small but quick sophomore, Fink has already surpassed his 2023-24 point total by seven with six games to go compared to last season’s. Penn State could break out in the Big Ten tournament, and it’s something we’ve seen before. Aiden Fink will be the key to this success, and if the breakout happens, look for 18 in the 10.
Image Courtesy: The Daily Collegian
TJ HUGHES
Hughes, while not by a long shot in the stats compared to Michael Hage, is Michigan’s best forward. With an assist in a massive Duel in the D game against rivals Michigan State, he shows up when it matters as juniors of his caliber always do. While he may not score as much as some of these candidates, Hughes’ presence is one of the best in the Big Ten setting up teammates left and right almost every game.
Image Courtesy: MLive.com
jack devine
Two-time national champion. That’s all you have to say when you talk about Devine. Not many players in this sport, with the portal and NHL signings, can say that. In what could be his best season yet for the Pios individually, they sure missed him during the winter skid. David Carle’s team is no stranger to the postseason, and Devine will surely be a part of their run leading to a potential Top 10 spot.
Image Courtesy: NHL.com
ty gallagher
Gallagher is having his best season in what will likely be his last, not just by eligibility but possibly an offer from a defensive-consistency-lacking Bruins team. With 46 blocked shots and a +5 rating, Gallagher has been keeping the Tigers’ back end strong leading to key wins over Denver, Arizona State and Western Michigan. A few more upsets would put the only defenseman in this list in my list of finalists.
Image Courtesy: Colorado College Athletics
harrison scott
Another candidate who surpassed his last season's point total last year, Scott has been a key in replacing the star power of Bradly Nadeau, who signed with the Hurricanes. His balanced game between goals and assists makes him a rare asset to a Hockey East top-six. The Black Bears have been close but never caught Boston College at the top of the conference, and if they were to knock them off, Scott’s production would be the key.
Image Courtesy: Maine Athletics
For now, we await an official announcement from the Hobey Baker committee with a vote mixed between fans and the committee. The Top-10 list is released on March 20th, and candidates are not set until all votes are counted. There’s still plenty of hockey to be played in the meantime, but this list will give you an idea of the greatness it takes to even compete for the sport’s most prestigious award.
