Hobey Baker Watch

[Lanny_McDonald]

This will be interesting to watch unfold. Ethan Wyttenbach has a nine point lead in scoring, but will that be enough to garner the award as the best collegiate player in the NCAA?

If you follow CHN (College Hockey News) and their Hobey Baker Tracker, it appears the award is almost a lock for Max Plante. Wyttenbach was 32nd coming into the weekend and jumped 8 places to 24th after his 3 point weekend.

Personally, I think their tracker is hot garbage, but to have Wyttenbach so far down their rankings tells you how little regard most freshmen get in this voting. You can also tell by Wyttenbach NOT being mentioned in the NCHC press release on possible candidates. These are the players mentioned in the press release.

2026 NCHC Hobey Baker Award Nominees
Owen Beckner, Colorado College, So., F
Boston Buckberger, Denver, Jr., D
Austin Burnevik, St. Cloud State, So., F
Matteo Giampa, Miami, Jr., F
Tyson Gross, St. Cloud State, Jr., F
Barrett Hall, St. Cloud State, Jr., F
Ty Hanson, Minnesota Duluth, So., D
Simon Latkoczy, Omaha, Sr., G
Jake Livanavage, North Dakota, Jr., D
Cruz Lucius, Arizona State, Sr., F
Kaidan Mbereko, Colorado College, Sr., G
Owen Michaels, Western Michigan, Jr., F
Max Plante, Minnesota Duluth, So., F
Zam Plante, Minnesota Duluth, So., F
Eric Pohlkamp, Denver, Jr., D
Bennett Schimek, Arizona State, Sr., F
Grant Slukynsky, Western Michigan, Jr., F
Hampton Slukynsky, Western Michigan, So., G

I think Wyttenbach deserves it but Pohlkamp and the Plante brothers have paid their dues. Unnamed Cole Hutson could be a darkhorse here as well.

The winner will be announced April 10th, during the Fozen Four Tournament in Las Vegas.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Boston Buckberger should win it because of name alone. That's a humdinger of a name.

[looooob]

I do know he now has more points as a freshman then last years winner had
In his first 2 NCAA seasons combined

[Reggie Dunlop]

Not this year. Too far out of left field.

The Hobey Baker Award winners seems to be trending toward draft pedigree in recent years, a pattern that will likely continue with major junior players crossing over.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Lanny_McDonald

You can also tell by Wyttenbach NOT being mentioned in the NCHC press release on possible candidates.

He doesn't play in the NCHC.

[Canada 02]

My top contenders, in no particular order

Ethan Wyttenbach
Michael Hage
TJ Hughes
Eric Pohlkamp
Trey Augustine
Max Plante
Bennett Schimick
Cole Hutson

I would not be surprised if Will Horcoff, Cruz Lucius or Hampton Slukynsky are in the mix

I think James Hagens, Porter Martone, Gavin Mckenna, Charlie Stramel could have name recognition on their side to get into the top 10. There will also be one or more players from smaller schools who casual fans have never heard of. It wide open this year

[Canada 02]