St. Paul, Minn. -- The Hobey Baker Memorial Award Foundation is pleased to announce the Top Ten candidates for the 2024 award honoring college hockey’s top player. Alphabetically, they are: Jackson Blake, University of North Dakota; Macklin Celebrini, Boston University; Jack Devine, University of Denver; Cutter Gauthier, Boston College; Collin Graf, Quinnipiac University; Lane Hutson, Boston University; Kyle McClellan, University of Wisconsin; Liam McLinskey, College of the Holy Cross; Sam Morton, Minnesota State University; and Will Smith, Boston College.
The ten finalists were selected by voting from all 64 Division I college hockey head coaches and online fan balloting. This year’s Hobey Baker winner will be chosen from this group by the 30-member Selection Committee as well as an additional round of fan balloting running from March 20–March 31 on the Hobey Baker website hobeybaker.com. Criteria for the award are: displaying outstanding skills in all phases of the game, strength of character on and off the ice, sportsmanship, and scholastic achievements.
The Hobey Hat Trick (three finalists) will be announced on April 4th, 2024, and the Hobey Baker Award winner will be announced on Friday April 12, 2024 during the Frozen Four weekend in St Paul MN. The announcement will be televised live on the NHL Network and streamed on the Hobey Baker website at 6:00 p.m. ET.
Following, in alphabetical order, is a look at each Hockey East finalist.
Macklin Celebrini — Boston University – Freshman, Forward, Vancouver, British Columbia
At just 17, Macklin Celebrini stands out as one of the country's top centers, showcasing a comprehensive, 200-foot game that balances elite playmaking with diligent defensive responsibility. His blend of superior talent, hockey sense, competitive drive, and work ethic underscores his commitment to improvement, both on the ice and off it.
- Ranks second in NCAA scoring for goals (30) and ranks third in points (55)
- A top prospect eligible for the 2024 NHL Entry Draft ranked #1 on NHL Central Scouting’s midterm rankings of top North American skaters.
- Named Hockey East Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year, and also named to Hockey East First Team, All Rookie Team, is the Hockey East Scoring Champion
Cutter Gauthier – Boston College – Sophomore, Forward, Scottsdale, Arizona
Cutter Gauthier is at the forefront nationally, boasting 32 goals and ranking fifth with 52 points, showcasing his knack for clutch moments with nine game-winners and proficiency on the power play with 10 goals. Throughout the season, he's been a consistent force, hitting the score sheet in 30 out of 35 games and achieving multiple points in 14 games.
- Won gold with Team USA at the 2024 World Juniors Championship
- Was selected in the first round of the 2022 NHL Draft (fifth overall) by the Philadelphia Flyers, with his rights traded to the Anaheim Ducks in 2024
- Named to Hockey East First Team and was the runner-up for Player of the Year
- Is the NCAA goal-scoring leader
Lane Hutson – Boston University – Sophomore, Defenseman, Chicago, Illinois
Lane Hutson impresses as a dynamic defenseman with exceptional skating and puck-handling skills that make him stand out every time he hits the ice. His hockey IQ and vision are unparalleled, complementing a defensive game that's on a constant upward trajectory, underscored by leading the Terriers in ice time. This season Hutson has averaged 1.33 points per game, which ranks 13th nationally among all NCAA skaters, and is tied for first in points by a defenseman with 44. Hutson also ranks third in goals by a defenseman (12) and tied for fourth in game winning goals by a defenseman (3).
- Named to Hockey East First Team
- Won gold with Team USA at the 2024 World Juniors Championships, serving as the team alternate captain.
- Selected by the Montreal Canadiens in the second round (62 overall) at the 2022 NHL Draft
Will Smith — Boston College – Freshman, Forward, Lexington, Massachusetts
Will Smith finished the regular season atop the NCAA scoring chart with 58 points, amassing 18 goals alongside a nation-leading 40 assists, and was a consistent force scoring in 31 out of 35 games, highlighted by a dominant 18-game point streak. Smith’s season was distinguished by 20 games with multiple points and pivotal performances against high-ranking opponents, earning accolades such as Hockey East Rookie of the Week and Player of the Month.
- Named to Hockey East First Team, Hockey East All Rookie Team, and was the runner-up for Rookie of the Year
- Selected in the first round (4th overall) by the San Jose Sharks at the 2023 NHL Draft
- Won a gold medal for Team USA at the 2024 World Junior Championship
- Ranks first in the nation in assists (40) and in points (58)
Hobey Notes
- Candidates by conference: Hockey East – 4, NCHC – 2, AHA – 1, Big Ten – 1, CCHA -1, ECAC -1
- By position: Forwards – 8, Defense – 1, Goalie -1
- By class: Senior – 2, Junior – 3, Sophomore – 3, Freshmen – 2
- By nationality: U.S. – 9 (Mass. & Ill. – 2; 1 each NY, Colo., Mo., Ariz., Minn.), Canada – 1 (B.C.)
- Repeat Candidates: Collin Graf (’23), Lane Hutson (’23)
- Quinnipiac has a finalist for the third straight year and BU for the second straight
- Five of the ten finalists have been NHL draft picks with two selected in the first round (Gauthier and Smith)
