The junior forward from Hudson, Wisconsin has had a phenomenal season in helping guide the Spartans to the Big Ten conference regular season and playoff titles – both for the second straight season. Howard became a dangerous scoring threat every shift as he had the nation’s best points per game average, chiming in at 1.41 points per game. He finished his season with 26 goals and 26 assists for 52 points in 37 games. With just the national championship game to go, Howard sits fifth in the nation in scoring and is tied for third in goals.
Plenty of accolades followed including Big Ten Scoring Champion, First Team all-conference and the league’s Player of the Year. Additionally, he is a First Team All-American in the west. “Ike” as he is known around the team becomes the third Spartan to win the Hobey following goalie Ryan Miller in 2001 and forward Kip Miller in 1990.
Howard scored the majority of his goals at even strength but did add five power play tallies and notched four game winning goals. A prolific shooter, he fired 169 shots on goal to rank fifth in the country, while logging just over 19 minutes of ice time per game. He took only five minor penalties in his Hobey Baker season. Collecting points in 29 of his 37 games, Howard had 14 multiple point games including a four goal and one assist night versus Penn State.
After spending his freshman season at Minnesota Duluth, Howard transferred to the Spartans to continue his Communications Major. He was a first-round draft (31st overall) of the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2022. He spent two seasons with the U.S. National Team Development Program and earned multiple medals in U-18 and World Junior Championship competitions. He spends some off-ice time with the Spartans Triumph Together program assisting kids in Children’s Hospital.
Top Ten:
Has 24 goals, 23 assists for 47 points in 35 games – is 5th in the nation in shots on goal
Tampa Bay draft (1st round, 2022) – had 13 multiple point games
Played his freshman season at Minnesota Duluth – Communications major
Player Stats
| Type | Season | Team Name | League | Goals | Assists | Points | PIM | +/- |
|---|
2025 Runner Up
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. Tied with fellow Hobey nominee Mac Gadowsky for first in the nation in points by a D-man, the two are also tied for 14th overall in national scoring. Buium excels at initiating offense and is tied for second in assists amongst all players nationally. For the second straight year he has garnered First Team all-conference honors and is a finalist for NCHC Player of the Year and Offensive Defenseman of the Year.
- Has 10 goals, 32 assists for 42 points in 36 games – secured points in 27 of 36 games played
- Has won two straight gold medals for Team USA at the World Junior Championships
- Draft of Minnesota (1st round, 2024) – Communications major
Sophomore, Forward, Amherst, Massachusetts
A relentless competitor and clutch performer, Ryan Leonard has been a driving force in elevating the Eagles to the nation’s number one ranking. His elite scoring prowess ties him for eighth in the nation in scoring, but he leads the country with 29 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.
- Has 29 goals, 18 assists for 47 points in 35 games – currently riding a 16-game point streak
- Communications major – his +29 is third in the nation – Washington draft (1st round, 2023)
- Won gold medal as Team USA captain at 2025 World Junior Championships