BUFFALO, N.Y. - Massachusetts sophomore defenseman Cale Makar (Calgary, Alta.) has been awarded the 2019 Hobey Baker Memorial Award given annually to the best player in NCAA Division I men's ice hockey it was announced tonight. Criteria for the award includes displaying outstanding skills in all phases of the game, strength of character on and off the ice, sportsmanship and scholastic achievements. The award was presented in conjunction with the 2019 Frozen Four in Buffalo, N.Y. Makar was also named to the CCM/AHCA All-American First Team.

Makar becomes the 11th player in Hockey East history to collect college hockey's highest individual award and the second in as many years after Northeastern's Adam Gaudette took home the title in 2018. It marks the first time since Boston College's Johnny Gaudreau and Boston University's Jack Eichel were so honored in consecutive seasons in 2014 and 2015 that a conference has taken the Hobey Baker in back-to-back seasons. It is the fourth Hobey Baker award for Hockey East in the last six seasons and the third time a league defenseman took home the award (Mike Mottau, Boston College, 2000; Matt Gilroy, Boston University, 2009.)

Makar continues a historic 2018-19 season after becoming the first Massachusetts player to be named the Hockey East Player of the Year and the first defenseman to win the award outright since Chris Imes (Maine) collected that title in 1994-95. Makar currently leads Hockey East in overall scoring, putting up 16 goals and 33 assists for 49 points and is just one point away from tying for the national lead ahead of his appearance in the 2019 national title game on Saturday. A defenseman has never led the NCAA in overall points.

Among all national players, his 49 overall points rank third. The sophomore also finished second in Hockey East conference scoring, netting eight goals and a league-best 22 helpers for 30 points and had the best on-ice rating with a plus- 21 in 24 league contests. Makar leads all national defensemen in on-ice rating (+33) and shots on goal (135.) Makar also led all Hockey East defenders in overall goals (16), assists (33), points (49), points per game (1.23), a plus- 33 rating, and 135 shots on goal. Makar totaled 30 points in 24 Hockey East games on eight goals and 21 assists, ranking second in points per-game (1.25) and first in on-ice rating (+21). Makar was named Hockey East Player of the Week three times, once on back-to-back occasions (Oct. 15, Oct. 22) as well as on March 18, Hockey East Defensive Player of the Week on January 14 and March 4, and Hockey East Player of the Month for October. Named the only unanimous

Hockey East First Team All-Star, Makar was also unanimously selected as Player of the Year.

The Calgary, Alberta native has helped elevate Massachusetts to unprecedented success in 2018-19, including program records in wins (31), conference wins (18) and the team 's first-ever Hockey East Regular Season Championship. He is the eighth defenseman to be named college hockey's best player in the 39-year history of the award. On Saturday, Massachusetts will skate against defending national champion Minnesota Duluth in the Minutemen's first-ever title game appearance.