Hobey Baker Award Finalists Announced
A pair of players each from Michigan and Minnesota State — the top two teams in the Pairwise — highlight the 10 finalists for this year's Hobey Baker Award.
There will be one more vote, after which a top three (a.k.a Hobey Hat Trick) will be announced, with the winner unveiled on the Friday between Frozen Four games in Boston on April 8.
U.S. Olympian Nathan Smith, Minnesota State's leading goal scorer, and goalie Dryden McKay, who broke the all-time shutouts record earlier this season and has previously been a finalist, are the selections from the Mavericks.
Meanwhile, Michigan's finalists are forward Matty Beniers and defenseman Luke Hughes, both of whom were top four picks in last year's NHL Draft.
Northeastern's Devon Levi, who leads the nation in save percentage, and Quinnipiac freshman Yanev Perets, who leads in goals against average, are the other two goaltenders among the finalists.
The other four finalists are all forwards — including the nation's top point scorer, Bobby Brink of Denver; Minnesota's Ben Meyers; Michigan Tech's Brian Halonen and Massachusetts' Bobby Trivigno.
None of the top four goal scorers in the country made the list, including this year's current top goal scorer Ethen Frank of Western Michigan, who has 26.
Go Blue! Ho Bey!
We've got two. Kind of a "pick a random name out of a hat" situation for Michigan with the roster and how the season has gone. If Luke comes back next year, he is probably the preseason favorite to win the award, if there can be such a thing; this year, though, he's an excellent player putting up stats that are very good for a defenseman, but not exactly a dominant player.
Word I've heard on social media is that no one has any idea who will win this; no obvious favorite. I expect at least one and maybe both Minnesota State guys to be hat-trick finalists. Maybe Brink. But I'm really just guessing here.
I was wondering about that (odds for who would win) as well and found the same shrug emoji from some folks who usually seem in the know. I would think Beniers would have a better shot because of his playing style and highlight reel (and maybe because he is gone next year while Hughes and some of the others might stay) but really I’m just guessing.
Related to Beniers, a lot of the hockey east types follow him and he gets a fair bit of press in Boston because a) he is from nearby and b) would have gone to Harvard but for COVID. I suppose it’s possible that that dynamic may help him get some addl. votes as well.
Give it to McKay. May or may not be a big time NHL goalie (there's a number of younger higher rated prospects) but man he has dominated the NCAAs. Phenomenal year.
I don’t know if voters factor in previous years but if that is the case he should for sure win it. Even for this season along from what I’ve seen of him he has looked great.