The Hobey Baker Memorial Award Committee announced today the 2024 recipient of college hockey’s top individual prize is Macklin Celebrini from Boston University. The announcement came during a live broadcast on NHL Network and hobeybaker.com.
At just 17, Macklin Celebrini is the youngest player in college hockey and the youngest to win the Hobey Baker Award. He 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. Celebrini helped lead the Terriers to a 2024 Frozen Four appearance, and recorded 64 points in 38 games, including 32 assists, 12 power play goals and 4 game winning goals, ranking second nationally in goals, third nationally in points, and third in points per game averaging 1.68. Celebrini was named the 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. At the Sioux Falls Regional, he was named Most Outstanding Player and named to the All-Tournament team. Earlier today Celebrini was named the Tim Taylor National Rookie of the Year and First Team All-American. Celebrini has been marked a top prospect eligible for the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, coming in at the top of the list on NHL Central Scouting’s midterm rankings of top North American skaters.
Hobey Baker was the legendary Princeton (1914) hockey player known as America’s greatest amateur athlete over one hundred years ago. He redefined how the game was played with his coast-to-coast dashes in an era when hockey was contested by seven players and no forward passes. Baker, a member of the U.S. Army’s Air Corp, died testing a repaired aircraft at the end of World War I after he had completed his military service. The Hobey Baker Award criteria includes: displaying outstanding skills in all phases of the game, strength of character on and off the ice, sportsmanship and scholastic achievements. Fantilli was selected from a group of ten finalists by a 30-member selection committee and online fan balloting.
NOTE: Members of the media can access a photo of Macklin Celebrini and the Hobey Baker trophy by visiting www.hobeybaker.com/media. Celebrini, along with the Hobey Baker Legend of College Hockey, Don Lucia, will be honored at an upcoming banquet and golf tournament August 8, at the Royal Golf Club in Lake Elmo, Minnesota. For more information on the Hobey or to access photos, please visit www.hobeybaker.com/media.
