Hobey Baker Memorial Award 42nd Annual Award Banquet & Golf Tournament

After two years of Covid influenced lockdowns, event cancellations and an American society that was significantly altered, some normalcy returned to the sports industry.

College hockey ramped back up for the 2021-22 season but was hindered by sporadic Covid outbreaks that forced some game postponements or cancellations, as well as some players having to miss games. But college hockey survived and was rewarded with sellout crowds at the national championship Frozen Four tournament held in Boston’s TD Garden.

The University of Denver won their ninth national title defeating Minnesota State 5-1 in the final. After two idle years of a formal national awards ceremony, the Hobey Baker Award committee renewed the live event and held it at Boston’s luxurious Encore Boston Harbor Resort. Once again, a live broadcast was carried on NHL Network and streamed live on Hobeybaker.com and hosted by Jamison Coyle.

The awards ceremonies commenced at 4:45 with the presentation of the Derek Hines Award given annually to college hockey’s unsung hero. This years’ recipient was Jordan Seyfert from Merrimack College. The program continued with the announcement of the Mike Richter Award given annually to college hockey’s top goalie: Northeastern University’s Devon Levi. Next up was the Hockey Humanitarian Award, presented annually to a college hockey player who gave back to the community with selfless volunteerism efforts. This year’s winner was Josh Kosack from Union College who conducted his “Kozi’s Kids” fundraiser to help raise money for Christmas presents for local kids. The American Hockey Coaches Association presented their annual East and West All-American teams along with the national rookie of the year winner, Devon Levi, again of Northeastern University.

Next up was the Hobey Baker Award carried live on TV and webcast. Coyle announced a short video on this year’s Legend of College Hockey Gino Gasparini from the University of North Dakota. The three Hobey hat trick finalists were then introduced: Bobby Brink from the University of Denver, Dryden McKay from Minnesota State University and Ben Meyers from the University of Minnesota.

2022 Hobey Baker committee chairman, Joe Santarelli opened the envelope and introduced Dryden McKay as the 42nd annual recipient of the Hobey. McKay became just the third goalie to win college hockey’s top individual prize and the first from Minnesota State. Upon completing his senior season, McKay signed a two-year contract with the Toronto Marlies of the AHL.