Cale Makar
Known as a dynamic player equally effective at both ends of the ice, Cale Makar was named Hockey East Player of the Year and First Team all-conference, becoming the circuit’s first defenseman in 20 years to lead Hockey East in scoring. On the season, Makar had 16 goals and 33 assists for 49 points in 41 games, finishing third in the nation in points; tops amongst all defensemen and just one point back of the national lead. Makar also finished third in the nation in assists and contributed 15 points on the power play. His attention to details in all three zones led to a plus/minus of +32, which was second amongst all college hockey players. Makar, a sophomore assistant captain from Calgary, Alberta helped guide the University of Massachusetts to several program firsts: a Hockey East regular season championship, their first ever number one national ranking and their first trip to the NCAA Frozen Four, culminating in an appearance in the national championship game. Upon conclusion of his college hockey season, Makar signed a pro contract with the Colorado Avalanche and became the first defenseman in NHL history to score a goal while making his NHL debut during the Stanley Cup playoffs. During the 2021-22 season, Makar was the second highest scoring defenseman in the NHL, won the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s top defenseman, was named the Conn Smythe Trophy winner as the MVP of the playoffs. Makar becomes the only player ever to win the Hobey, Calder Trophy (NHL Rookie of the Year), Norris Trophy, Conn Smythe and Stanley Cup. He just completed his seventh full season with the Avalanche, and is widely recognized as the top defenseman in the NHL.
Top Ten:
Career Stats
2019 Runner Up
After earning a Hobey Baker top ten finalist honor last season, Jimmy Schuldt (Shult) could have turned pro, but he wanted to return to the Huskies, becoming a three-time team captain. Schuldt helped St. Cloud to the NCHC regular season title, leading all defensemen in conference scoring. He was named NCHC Player of the Year, Defensive Defenseman of the Year, First Team all-conference and was a finalist for two other conference awards. Very durable, he never missed a game playing in 156 straight college hockey games.
What a brilliant career it has been so far for Adam Fox. In his first two years on campus, he was named a First Team All American and has followed that up with another outstanding season. The smooth skating playmaker has piled up the points, currently sitting tied for third in the nation in scoring while topping all players in the country in assists and points per game, averaging almost one and half points per outing. He accumulated 23 power play points while anchoring Harvard’s number one ranked power play. Fox was named ECAC Player of the Year, Ivy League Player of the Year and First Team ECAC.