For Release 3:00 p.m. CT (4:00 p.m. ET)
April 3, 2025
Contact: Wally Shaver wshaver@hobeybaker.com

The Hobey Baker Memorial Award Foundation is pleased to announce the three Hobey Baker Hat Trick finalists for the 2025 award, honoring college hockey’s top player. Alphabetically, they are: Zeev Buium, (Boo-yum) a sophomore defenseman from the University of Denver; Isaac Howard, a junior forward from Michigan State University; and Ryan Leonard, a sophomore forward from Boston College.

The three finalists were selected from the initial list of Top Ten candidates by the 30-member Selection Committee and an additional round of online fan balloting to determine this year’s Hobey Baker Award winner. 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.

This year’s Hobey Baker Award winner will be announced Friday, April 11, 2025 during the Frozen Four weekend in St. Louis, MO. A one-hour live production will feature the Hobey Baker Award, the Mike Richter Award (top goalie in college hockey), the Hockey Humanitarian Award (college hockey’s finest citizen), and the East and West All-American teams, along with other national awards. The event will be televised live from the Stifel Theatre on the NHL Network and streamed on the Hobey Baker website at 5:00 p.m. CT.

Zeev Buium – University of Denver – Sophomore, Defense, San Diego, California
A highly gifted skater with tremendous play making capabilities, Zeev Buium (Boo-yum) has proved to be one of the premier defensemen in college hockey. Gunning for his second straight national title, he is first in the nation in points and assists by a defenseman. Buium’s huge numbers have him currently tied for eleventh overall in national scoring and second in assists behind his teammate and fellow Hobey finalist Jack Devine. For the second straight year he has garnered NCHC First Team all-conference honors and Offensive Defenseman of the Year, while also staking his claim to the NCHC Player of the Year Award. Buium logs a lot of icetime, chiming in with an average of 26:26 per game – third most minutes played in the nation.
• Has 13 goals, 35 assists for 48 points in 40 games – secured points in 30 of 40 games played
• Has won two straight gold medals for Team USA at the World Junior Championships
• Draft of Minnesota (1st round, 2024) – Communications major

Isaac Howard – Michigan State University – Junior, Forward, Hudson, Wisconsin
The Spartans have been at or near the top of the national rankings all season with key contributions from their prolific scorer Isaac Howard. Presently fifth in the nation in points, his 26 goals are tied for third in the country. He became the Big Ten conference Scoring Champion, First Team all-conference and the league’s Player of the Year. A dangerous scoring threat every shift, Howard averaged 1.41 points per game, tops in the nation. Howard tacked on five power play tallies and four game winning goals, helping Michigan State to the Big Ten regular season and playoff titles – both for the second straight season. Howard’s past accomplishments for Team USA include multiple medals in U-18 and World Junior Championship competitions.
• Finished with 26 goals, 26 assists for 52 points in 37 games – is 5th in the nation in shots on goal
• Tampa Bay draft (1st round, 2022) – had 14 multiple point games
• Played his freshman season at Minnesota Duluth – Communications major

Ryan Leonard – Boston College – Sophomore, Forward, Amherst, Massachusetts
A relentless competitor and clutch performer, Ryan Leonard was a driving force in elevating the Eagles to the nation’s number one ranking through their conference playoffs. His elite scoring prowess places him tenth in the nation in scoring after BC lost to defending national champion Denver in the Manchester Regional final. Leonard leads the country with 30 goals and nine game-winners. A high-volume shooter, Leonard is second in the nation in shots averaging 5.2 per game. Leonard has garnered several Hockey East awards including Scoring Champion, First Team all-conference and Player of the Year.
• Finished with 30 goals, 19 assists for 49 points in 37 games – had a 17-game point streak end in the regional final
• Communications major – his +30 is fifth in the nation – Washington draft (1st round, 2023) and recently signed a pro contract with the Capitals
• Won gold medal as Team USA captain at 2025 World Junior Championships

For more information on the Hobey Baker Memorial Award or to access the Hobey logo, visit hobeybaker.com/media. The website has additional bio info, statistics and video of the finalists. Check us out on Facebook at: facebook.com/TheHobey
The Hobey Baker Award winner will be announced on Friday, April 11 during a live broadcast on NHL Network and streamed at hobeybaker.com beginning at 5 p.m. CT. Additional national awards will also be announced during the show.
College Hockey National Awards Announcements
Friday Night at the Frozen Four
NHL Network and streamed at hobeybaker.com
Friday, April 11 at 5:00 p.m. CT (6:00 p.m. ET)
Hobey Baker Memorial Award – honoring college hockey’s top player
Mike Richter Award – honoring college hockey’s top goaltender
Hockey Humanitarian Award – honoring college hockey’s top citizen athlete
All-American Teams – First and Second teams from College Hockey Coaches Assoc.
Derek Hines Award – honoring the nation’s unsung hero
Tim Taylor Award – honoring the nation’s rookie of the year