For Release 3:15 p.m. CT (4:15 p.m. ET)  

April 2, 2026    

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 2026 award, honoring college hockey’s top player. Alphabetically, they are: TJ Hughes, a senior forward from the University of Michigan; Max Plante, a sophomore forward from the University of Minnesota Duluth; and Eric Pohlkamp, a junior defenseman from the University of Denver.

The three finalists were selected from the initial list of Top Ten candidates by the 30-member Selection Committee 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 10, 2026 during the Frozen Four weekend in Las Vegas, NV. 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 Park MGM Ballroom on the NHL Network and streamed on the Hobey Baker website at 5:00 p.m. PT (8:00 p.m. ET).

TJ Hughes – University of Michigan – Senior, Forward, Hamilton, Ontario

Setting a remarkable standard of consistency, Hughes has averaged over a point per game in each of the past three seasons, becoming the Big Ten’s all-time points leader in conference games. Topping Michigan in scoring for the second straight season, the team captain was named First Team all-conference and the Big Ten Player of the Year. The top-ranked Wolverines enter the Frozen Four tournament with Hughes second in the nation in scoring and third in assists. Along the way, he piled up 18 multiple point games.

• Has 21 goals, 35 assists for 56 points in 39 games – is 57.8% on faceoffs
• Is third in the nation in points per game (1.44) – is 10^th in the nation in goals
• Is a free agent – Sports Management major – has 3 goals, 6 assists in 5 playoff games

Max Plante – University of Minnesota Duluth – Sophomore, Forward, Hermantown, Minnesota

The apple didn’t fall far from the Plante family tree. Max is a Hobey finalist just like his dad Derek was back in 1993 while also playing for the Bulldogs. Playing on a line with his brother Zam and Jayson Shaugabay, Max started the season on fire collecting points in 11 of his first 13 games. His outstanding second season in Duluth was rewarded with First Team all-conference honors, NCHC Forward of the Year and the NCHC Player of the Year. Plante also played for Team USA at the 2026 World Junior Championship.

• Finished with 25 goals, 27 assists for 52 points in 40 games – Detroit draft (2^nd round, 2024)
• Had 8 power play goals and 15 multiple point games – is 3^rd in the nation in shots, 3^rd in points and is tied for 2^nd in goals
• Communications major and Scholar-Athlete – had 15 multiple point games

Eric Pohlkamp – University of Denver – Junior, Defense, Brainerd, Minnesota

Pohlkamp is the nation’s top scoring defenseman and his 18 goals so far is an NCHC record by a defenseman. That’s because he’s a prolific shooter, leading the nation with 185 shots (average 4.5 per game), 27 more than the next closest skater. He’s also launched 25 shots in four playoff games heading into the Frozen Four. Pohlkamp was recognized as First Team all-conference, the NCHC Offensive Defenseman of the Year and was a finalist for the NCHC Player of the Year. Pohlkamp leads the nation’s defensemen in points and goals.

• Has 18 goals, 21 assists for 39 points in 41 games – has 6 power play goals
• Communications major, Marketing minor –San Jose draft (5^th round, 2023)
• Member of the U.S. Selects of NCAA players at the Spengler Cup tourney in Switzerland in December – played his freshman season at Bemidji State Univ.

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 10 during a live broadcast on NHL Network and streamed at hobeybaker.com beginning at 5 p.m. PT. 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 10 at 5:00 p.m. PT (8:00 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