The 10 best players in NCAA men's hockey this season are about as exciting as it gets. Tony Ferrari sorts them in tiers to see who he thinks will be crowned the Hobey Baker winner.
The finalists for men's college hockey’s highest individual honor, the Hobey Baker Trophy, were announced on Wednesday.
The field for this year’s Hobey Baker has been wide-open all season. From future NHL superstars to players earning free agent contracts because of their NCAA play, this year’s final 10 is full of intriguing players.
It will be interesting to see who makes the Hobey Hat Trick, the three finalists for the award. The ultimate prize will be unveiled during the Frozen Four next month, when college hockey will crown a new national champion. In fact, many of the finalists have a legitimate shot at the title.
Everyone from this group deserves to be here, but there can only be one winner. Let’s look at what each finalist did to earn their nod for the Hobey Baker, arrange them into tiers and predict who will be crowned the best player in college hockey.
The Long Shots
Sam Morton, F, Minnesota State University (CGY)
Although he won’t have a chance to add to his point totals as Minnesota State’s season is over, Morton earned himself a contract with the Calgary Flames.
He missed a big chunk of last season because of an injury, so coming back for another season as a 24-year-old and finding himself as a Hobey finalist is a dream scenario.
Morton was named CCHA player of the year, but his 34 points likely aren’t enough to really keep him in the conversation with the rest of this group. He gives the CCHA some representation, but Morton’s focus is already on the Calgary Wranglers in the AHL, having already played two games.
Liam McLinskey, LW, College of the Holy Cross (Free Agent)
After 21 goals and just four assists last year, McLinskey rounded his game out and became a much better overall player. He racked up 19 goals and 28 assists, which put him in the top 12 scorers in the country.
McLinskey captured the Atlantic Hockey player of the year award recently as well. He hasn’t taken the most conventional path to get here, which makes the honor all the more special. The 23-year-old may not be one of the true contenders for the award but he is certainly deserving of some recognition.
The Dark Horses
Will Smith, C, Boston College (SJS)
The fourth overall pick in last year’s NHL draft has been nothing short of exceptional in his first NCAA season. He continues to be the catalyst down the middle for Ryan Leonard and Gabriel Perreault, his linemates since their days with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program. All three of them have been in the top 10 in scoring for most of their freshman seasons, and any of them could have been among the Hobey Baker finalists.
Smith gets the nod because he is the play-driver and current NCAA scoring leader. He also leads the nation in assists with 40.
The biggest drawbacks for Smith are that his linemates easily could have been named instead of him, and teammate Cutter Gauthier has been the nation's top goal-scorer to this point. Smith deserves to be here, but next season may be his time to win it.
Jack Devine, RW/LW, University of Denver (FLA)
The season that Devine just put together not only earned him some deserved recognition nationally at the NCAA level, but it probably gives him a much better shot at signing his entry-level deal with the Florida Panthers.
Devine is currently fourth in the country in scoring with 54 points, but he is ninth in points per game.
He’s been arguably the best player on the best team in the NCHC. Unfortunately, his numbers are not quite as impressive overall, making Devine one of the long shots to make the final three this year.
Collin Graf, C/W, Quinnipiac University (Free Agent)
Although an injury held him out of the lineup for a handful of contests earlier this year, the defending national champions' top returnee put together one heck of a season. He was top-10 in total scoring and top-five in points-per-game among players with at least 30 games played. He will be a hot commodity when the season ends as NHL teams will look to sign what many consider the top NCAA free agent.
He will be pivotal in Quinnipiac’s pursuit of defending its title. If he gets hot over the next couple of weeks, it wouldn’t be shocking to see his name amongst the Hobey Hat Trick. Otherwise, the injury may ultimately keep him out of the conversation.
Kyle McClellan, G, University of Wisconsin (Free Agent)
While many aren’t giving him much of a chance to get into the Hobey Hat Trick, McClellan is why the Wisconsin Badgers had one of their best seasons in recent years.
He has been the backbone for a team that finished atop the Big 10 despite finishing middle of the pack in goals-for. McClellan was a massive part of the Badgers allowing the second fewest goals against in the country.
McClellan put up an outstanding .931 save percentage and an NCAA-leading seven shutouts this season. He was the biggest reason that Wisconsin found ways to win on many nights, becoming a steadying presence between the pipes for a school that has been mediocre at best over the last handful of years. McClellan deserves to be in the Hobey Hat Trick, but he may just fall short because of the impressive seasons from the next group of players.
The Hat Trick Hopefuls
Macklin Celebrini, C, Boston University (2024)
The super freshman has been nothing short of remarkable this season. The 17-year-old became the fourth player in Hockey East history to earn both rookie and player of the year honors, following Jack Eichel (2015), Paul Kariya (1993) and Brian Leetch (1987). Not bad company to be in.
Celebrini sits third in the nation in scoring with 55 points and first when you look at his points per game. His 30 goals are second in the NCAA at the moment, just adding to his case. He is the youngest player to be nominated for the Hobey Baker so a win would make his season even more historic – and there’s a very good chance it happens.
Lane Hutson, D, Boston University (MTL)
After being arguably the biggest omission from last year’s Hobey Hat Trick, the Montreal Canadiens superstar defense prospect is back as a finalist again this year as the lone defender in the group. Hutson continues to dazzle with the puck on his stick and generates highlight reels like few players in college hockey.
His 44 points put him in a tie for first place among blueliners, and he will be a massive part of BU’s pursuit of a national title. Much like Will Smith, though, a teammate may ultimately steal the glory in the Hobey conversation, as Celebrini looks like one of the front-runners for the award.
Hutson’s brilliance deserves a spot in the final three, but it’s tough competition when you look at who he’s going up against.
Cutter Gauthier, C/LW, Boston College (ANA)
Although many of the headlines surrounding Gauthier this year were about forcing a trade at the NHL level, moving his rights from Philadelphia to Anaheim, Gauthier remained one of college hockey’s best players. His 32 goals pace the nation, and his 52 points are good for fifth in the NCAA. He blends power and skill seamlessly, allowing him to dominate at times.
Gauthier is one of the best drafted prospects in hockey, so it’s no surprise he is among the Hobey Baker finalists. He should be a catalyst for Boston College as it looks to capture a national championship. He’s led BC to the top of the college hockey rankings and should make them a tough out when the national tournament comes around.
Jackson Blake, RW, University of North Dakota (CAR)
The NoDak forward has had a tremendous season, sitting second in college hockey scoring to this point. He has been one of the most consistent scorers in college hockey this year, coming up big as the games mean more, with 18 points in his last 10 games. The Carolina Hurricanes prospect has been one of the hottest players in college.
He is the most likely non-Boston-based player to be named to the Hobey Hat Trick, and he certainly deserves to be there. Blake has looked like one of the most improved players in college over the last two years, and it’s becoming increasingly likely that the Hurricanes will try to get his name on a contract as soon as possible. A Hobey Baker win would be a big way to go out.
Hobey Hat Trick Predictions
Macklin Celebrini - Winner
Cutter Gauthier - Top-three finalist
Jackson Blake - Top-three finalist