After an impressive freshman season, Celebrini earned a nod as a Hobey Baker finalist
With the Hobey Baker finalists being named yesterday, it has sparked debate amongst fans as to who should have been named a finalist and who should have been left off.
While there is certainly a case to be made for a number of players, let’s examine the case for Macklin Celebrini to win the Hobey Baker.
As the only freshman on the list, what Celebrini has been able to do in his first NCAA season has been nothing short of special. He was the youngest NCAA player this season and the youngest player to ever be named a finalist for the award.
With Boston University having a lot of great players in Lane and Quinn Hutson, Ryan Greene and Tom Willander to name a few, Celebrini took charge when it came to scoring, leading the Terriers with 64 points in 37 games. The next closest player to Celebrini when it comes to total points was Lane Hutson who finished with 49 points in 37 games.
One doesn’t have to look far for a comparison in terms of production as Adam Fantilli, in his freshman year with Michigan last season, finished with 65 points in 36 games and took home the Hobey Baker.
While finishing the season third in NCAA scoring is an impressive feat, the fashion in which Celebrini is able to take over a game at his age, playing against older competition, is hard to ignore.
While it may be a cliche, ‘the puck follows him everywhere’’ rings true for Celebrini.
Celebrini’s ability to process the game is already at an elite level. He is able to navigate himself in and out of open space with the puck with ease, recognizing lanes as they open up and taking the space with no hesitation.
He willingly attacks defenders and can beat them with a quick move through their feet or by mixing in a quick fake to get them to bite.
Celebrini is always scanning the ice to look for his next move and he has the ability to find players through seams in the slot even with layers of pressure around him.
One doesn’t have to look any further than the Terriers’ recent game against Minnesota. Celebrini beats the defender with a quick move between the legs and with a quick spin move is able to find Shane Lachance cross-seam where he is able to bury the pass to tie the game
At this point, all signs point to Celebrini’s game translating seamlessly to the NHL level. If his name is the one called on April 12, it will certainly be an award well deserved.
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