ECH Preview: Hobey Baker Top 10
written By Alex Berger - October 4th, 2023The Hobey Baker Award is arguably the single-most recognizable award in all of college hockey. Given to the best player in the sport, the award is meant to signify not only a student-athlete's talent, but other qualities including sportsmanship and character. Past winners of the award include future NHL superstars (i.e. Cale Makar in 2019), freshman phenoms (Adam Fantilli in 2023 and Jack Eichel in 2015), and four-year career superstars (Dryden McKay in 2022).
The preseason picks for award has never felt more stacked yet more wide open heading into this season, especially out east. There are honestly too many names to name: Lane Hutson, Cutter Gauthier, Collin Graf, Macklin Celebrini, and Will Smith are all prime candidates to breakout and lead their teams in scoring this year. However, that's not to say there isn't talent out west. ECH chose ten players to put on our preseason Hobey Baker watch list. Make sure to let us know who we got right, and who you think is going to win the annual award in St. Paul this April.
- Riese Gaber, F
School: University of North Dakota
Class: Senior
Hometown: Gilbert Plains, Manitoba
2022-'23 Stats: 20 Goals - 17 Assists - 37 Points, 11 PPG , 145 shots on goal
Why?
Named captain for the upcoming season. North Dakota forward Riese Gaber returns for his senior season and looks to lead the Fighting Hawks back to the NCAA Tournament after failing to qualify in 2022-'23. Gaber has turned into NoDak's top scoring option, especially on the power play. He's led North Dakota in both goals and power play goals the last two seasons, and has ranked first and second in points respectively in the last two seasons.
Gaber also has the pleasure of playing with Jackson Blake, who you can read about later in our top 10. Blake is one of the premier returning playmakers ranking top-25 in assists in all of college hockey, and really started to turn it on the second half of the year. Blake had five games after January 1st where he tallied two assists, and should only get better heading into his sophomore year. Playing with that talented of a player should not only allow Gaber to play with less of a focus on him, but will allow him to tally up points with another elite playmaker on the ice.
Photo Credit: Mark Kuhlmann UNO Athletics
- Jimmy Snuggerud, F
School: University of Minnesota
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Chaska, Minnesota
2023 Stats: 21 Goals -29 Assists - 50 Points, +35 plus/minus rating, 149 shots, 8 PPG
Why?
After getting the pleasure of playing with now NHL stars Logan Cooley and Matthew Knies, first-round pick Jimmy Snuggerud is the only player remaining at Mariucci from the Gophers top line a season ago. The hometown kid posted some ridiculous numbers during his freshman year, ranking top ten in the country in goals (21), points (50), shots (149), powerplay goals (8), and plus/minus rating (+35). After Colin Graf of Quinnipiac, Snuggerud is the top returning scorer in the country.
Although Snuggerud won't be able to play with two Hobey Hat Trick finalists on the same line, he won't be the only star player on the ice. Incoming freshman and #19 overall draft pick Oliver Moore should immediately slide into the first-line center role and give Snuggerud another option to work with.
The Gophers should be a top-five team this season, and Snuggerud is arguably the best player on that team. He'll get all the looks on the first line, first-team power play, with the extra attacker, and a full workload at even strength. Experiencing the full grind of the NCAA season as a freshman should pay huge dividends for his sophomore season outlook. He's one of the most talented players on one of the best teams in the country. He should be on every fans watchlist despite all the losses the Gophers experienced this offseason.
Photo Credit: The Athletic Jeremy Rutherford
- Collin Graf, F
School: Quinnipiac University
Class: Junior
Hometown: Lincoln, Massachusetts
2023 Stats: 21 Goals - 38 Assists - 59 Points, 8 PPG, 117 shots, +31 plus/minus rating
Why?
College hockey's top retuning scorer from a season ago returns as a national champion and with his entire top line playing with him. Colin Graf ranked third in the country in points (59) trailing only Hobey Hat Trick finalists Adam Fantilli and Logan Cooley. A season after transferring from Union, Graf led the Bobcats in most statistical categories, including goals, assists, points, and power play goals. He also delivered in the clutch, posting four points in four NCAA tournament games and scoring the game-tying goal late in the third period in the championship against Minnesota.
Playing alongside Sam Lipkin (43 points) and Jacob Quillan (38), Graf should only get better alongside his linemates. That chemistry is irreplaceble, and should lead to some crazy numbers for the defending champs. Graf is one of just three returning Hobey Baker finalists from a season ago and is primed to take the next step as one of college hockey's elite scorers.
Photo Credit: Rob Rasmussen / P8photos.com
- Blake Pietila, G
School: Michigan Tech University
Class: Senior
Hometown: Howell, Michigan
2023 Stats: 23-11-2, 2.15 GAA, .924 SV%, 10 shutouts
Why?
Arguably the top returning goaltender in college hockey, Blake Pietila decided to stay at Michigan Tech for a fifth year after a senior season which saw him be named both a Hobey Baker and Mike Richter Award finalist. Similar to Quinnipiac's Colin Graf, Pietila is one of just three returning Hobey finalists, but for a vastly different reason. The Huskie was one of the biggest lockdown goaltenders in the NCAA last year, and ranked top ten in the country in wins (23), minutes played (2,174), GAA (2.15), shutouts (10), and save percentage (.924%).
There is nothing that says Pietila won't continue his dominance into 2023. The last two seasons as a full starter he has posted similar numbers, with 44 combined wins and 17 shutouts from 2021 to 2023. Michigan Tech is a better team on paper than it was last season, which should put less pressure on him to carry the team to another NCAA Tournament appearance. The sky is the limit for the Huskies this year, and Pietila is the biggest reason why.
Photo Credit: Michigan Tech Athletics
- Lane Hutson, D
School: Boston University
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: North Barrington, Illinois
2023 Stats: 15 Goals - 33 Assists - 48 Points, 116 shots, +25 plus/minus rating
Why?
More often than not, the Hobey Baker Award goes to the player most deserving player on the best team in the country. With Boston University ranked #1 in the USCHO Poll, #1 in the USA Today/Rink Live Poll, and #2 in the Everything College Hockey Poll, the Terriers seem to be the consensus pick to be the best team this season. Having Lane Hutson certainly helps that ranking. The freshman defenseman was one of the most electric players in the game last year, especially when he found his footing in the second half of the year. Hutson is a one-man breakout, has elite skating ability, is one of the best transition players in the country, and can score from anywhere on the ice. He just missed out on the Hobey Hat Trick last year, and returns with a mission his sophomore season.
Hutson is returning as one of just three Hobey Baker Award finalists, and is the top returning scoring defenseman in the country. He tied with Michigan sophomore Luke Hughes for the defenseman scoring title in 2022-'23 with 48 total points, and ranked T-6th in the country among all skaters in assists (33) and T-7th in points.
In a stacked Hockey East, Boston University is going to rely on Hutson in a lot of close games. Luckily, they can trust him not only as one of their best scorers but also a good defenseman even with his small frame (5'10", 155 lbs.). His well-rounded game and elite offensive ability, along with the fact that he's playing on one of the best teams in the country, makes him the (arguable) preseason favorite for the Hobey Baker Award this year.
Photo Credit: Rich Gagnon BU Athletics
- Jackson Blake, F
School: University of North Dakota
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Eden Prairie, Minnesota
2023 Stats: 16 Goals - 26 Assists - 42 Points, six PPG, 99 shots
Why?
Jackson Blake returns to Grand Forks looking to take the mantle as the next in a long line of North Dakota hockey talents, and aims to be the first winner of the award since Ryan Duncan in 2007. [Quick fun fact, Duncan won the award while playing on the same line as Jonathan Toews and T.J. Oshie] Blake, the son of NCAA Champion and two-time Hobey Baker Award finalist Jason Blake, turned into one of the most exciting players on NoDak with Riese Gaber last season. The freshman led the team in points (42), and ranked second in both goals (16) and assists (26). Blake immediately became a playmaker for North Dakota, scoring six points in four games in back-to-back October weekends against Quinnipiac at home and Minnesota on the road.
Blake is a playmaker, combining elite puck handling skills with an even better passing ability. He'll also have a great core of young, speedy forwards to pass the puck to; including Jake Schmaltz, Dylan James, Owen McLaughlin, and of course Riese Gaber. A friend of the podcast, Blake has the skills to take the next step and be one of college hockey's scoring leaders in 2023-'24. The Fighting Hawks roster is reloaded and ready for a return to the NCAA Tournament. If NoDak makes it to St. Paul, Blake's name will certainly be in the conversation for Hobey Baker.
Photo Credit: Russell Hons UND Athletics
- Shay Donovan, D
School: Augustana University
Class: Graduate Senior
Hometown: Duluth, Minnesota
2023 Stats: 0 Goals - 1 Assists - 1 Point, nine shots in 11 games
Why?
Everything College Hockey's back-to-back "Glue Gun of the Year" winner is trading Wisconsin red for Augustana blue. The graduate senior defenseman played in 29 games over a four-year career with the Badgers, and registered his first career assist back in January against Ohio State.
Donavan transferred to Augustana for his fifth and final year of college hockey and will play for the Vikings in their first season in program history. As an inaugural member of the team, Donovan not only has the opportunity to be a leader on the ice, but also in setting the expectations for Augustana teams to come. A three-peat for "Glue Gun of the Year" isn't the only hardware on the radar this season.
Photo Credit: Wisconsin Athletics
- Ben Steeves, F
School: University of Minnesota-Duluth
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Bedford, New Hampshire
2023 Stats: 21 Goals - 7 Assists - 28 Points, 12 PPG, 125 shots
Why?
Coming to the North Shore undrafted, freshman forward Ben Steeves was a literal game breaker for Minnesota-Duluth during his freshman year. He led the Bulldogs in goals (21), scoring more than double the amount than anyone else, and tied for the team lead in points. The sophomore returns to college hockey tied for the second most goals from a season ago with Quinnipiac's Colin Graf, trailing only Wisconsin's David Silye (23) for the title. Like Silye, Steeves is also one of the most dangerous returning power play weapons in the country, as ranked T-2nd in the NCAA with 12 such tallies.
For a Minnesota-Duluth team that should be much better this upcoming season, Steeves looks to lead the way offensively alongside forward Dominic James and Blake Biondi. Bulldogs fans haven't seen as good of a season from a freshman since Brett Hull in the mid-1980's. It'll be exciting to see if he takes a second-year jump like the NHL legend did with the Bulldogs in 1985.
Photo Credit: NCAA.COM
- Seamus Casey, D
School: University of Michigan
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Fort Myers, FL
2023 Stats: 8 Goals - 21 Assists - 29 Points, 102 shots, +16 plus/minus rating
Why?
Often the odd-man out on last year's loaded Michigan team, Seamus Casey returns to Ann Arbor in 2023 as one of the Wolverines' top defenseman and best in the entire Big Ten. It was tough to choose between Casey and returning forwards Gavin Brindley and Rutger McGroarty, as all are talented and well deserving of the award. However, Casey plays at a premier position and returns as one of the lone defensemen in the country to put up the points he did a season ago (8-21-29).
During his freshman season, Casey got to play with and learn from Luke Hughes. The now New Jersey Devil posted 48 points a season ago, ranking T-7th in the country and leaving a large scoring void on the defensive line that will have to be filled. Casey not only has the talent to score 40+ points, but is playing on a Michigan team that is once again lined with NHL draft picks. It feels as though you could choose any Michigan player to be represented here, but Seamus Casey is as good a fit as any.
Photo Credit: Michigan Athletics
- Cutter Gauthier
School: Boston College
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Skelleftea, Sweden
2023 Stats: 16 Goals - 21 Assists - 37 Points, seven PPG, 130 shots
Why?
Last year's #5 overall pick posted good, but not great numbers at Boston College a year ago, at least compared to his high expectations. Yes, Cutter Gauthier led the Golden Eagles in goals (16) and points (37) and tied for the team lead in assists (37), but on a national scale he ranked just T-40th in goals, T-36th in points, and did not rank in the top-50 in the country in assists.
Gauthier still has the skills to be one of the elite players in college hockey this season, and now he has the talent around him to support him on offense. Three first round picks in Will Smith (#4 overall), Ryan Leonard (#8), and Gabe Perrault (#23) were selected in this year's NHL Draft, and should provide an immediate boost to Boston College's offensive game. Each of those four players has the skill and opportunity to post over 40 points this season.
As the most experienced of that quartet, Gauthier should take the lead offensively right out of the gate. Whether it's opportunities on the first line or first unit of the power play, the Swede now has a whole trio of high-end players who will be able to get the puck on his stick in prime scoring areas. Golden Eagles' fans and college hockey analysts alike expect big things from BC this upcoming season, and Gauthier looks to be the leader of that new high-flying offense.
Photo Credit: John Quackenbos / BC Athletics
