The Hobey Baker Memorial Award Committee announced today the 2024 recipient of college hockey’s top individual prize is Macklin Celebrini from Boston University. The announcement came during a live broadcast on NHL Network and hobeybaker.com.

At just 17, Macklin Celebrini is the youngest player in college hockey and the youngest to win the Hobey Baker Award. He stands out as one of the country’s top centers, showcasing a comprehensive, 200-foot game that balances elite playmaking with diligent defensive responsibility. His blend of superior talent, hockey sense, competitive drive, and work ethic underscores his commitment to improvement, both on the ice and off it. Celebrini helped lead the Terriers to a 2024 Frozen Four appearance, and recorded 64 points in 38 games, including 32 assists, 12 power play goals and 4 game winning goals, ranking second nationally in goals, third nationally in points, and third in points per game averaging 1.68. Celebrini was named the Hockey East Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year, and also named to Hockey East First Team, All Rookie Team, is the Hockey East Scoring Champion. At the Sioux Falls Regional, he was named Most Outstanding Player and named to the All-Tournament team. Earlier today Celebrini was named the Tim Taylor National Rookie of the Year and First Team All-American. Celebrini has been marked a top prospect eligible for the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, coming in at the top of the list on NHL Central Scouting’s midterm rankings of top North American skaters.

Hobey Baker was the legendary Princeton (1914) hockey player known as America’s greatest amateur athlete over one hundred years ago. He redefined how the game was played with his coast-to-coast dashes in an era when hockey was contested by seven players and no forward passes. Baker, a member of the U.S. Army’s Air Corp, died testing a repaired aircraft at the end of World War I after he had completed his military service. The Hobey Baker Award criteria includes: displaying outstanding skills in all phases of the game, strength of character on and off the ice, sportsmanship and scholastic achievements.

A standout sophomore at UND, Jackson Blake has matched a rare feat by scoring over 40 points in his first two seasons, a level of performance not seen since Brock Boeser’s 60 points in the 2015-16 season. His scoring consistency included eight games with at least three points, contributing to a streak where he scored in 17 of the last 18 regular-season games. Poised to join Zach Parise as the second sophomore in the last 30 years to reach 100 career points at UND, he also shattered the NCHC single-season scoring record with 37 points in conference play. Remarkably, he led the team in points as a freshman, the first time this had been achieved at UND since 1980.

Cutter Gauthier is at the forefront nationally, boasting 32 goals and ranking fifth with 52 points, showcasing his knack for clutch moments with nine game-winners and proficiency on the power play with 10 goals. Throughout the season, he’s been a consistent force, hitting the score sheet in 30 out of 35 games and achieving multiple points in 14 games. 

Jack Devine dominates the team’s statistics, leading in goals (27), points (54), and shots (123) marking him as a key offensive player for University of Denver. He made history on January 19, 2024 as the quickest Pioneer to hit the 20-goal mark, in just 23 games, en route to becoming the most prolific scorer since 2005-06. His contributions include eight multi-goal games and a standout start to the season, earning him NCHC Forward of the Week, alongside reaching personal and career milestones such as his 100th career point in a landmark game against Colorado College. 

Collin Graf played in 31 games, amassing 22 goals, 26 assists, for 48 points, with eight of those goals coming on power plays and three being game-winners. He is currently fifth nationally in goals and is sixth in points per game.  His exceptional play earned him four ECAC Player of the Week honors and the ECAC Forward of the Month for December, and he led his team in multi-point, multi-assist, and multi-goal games. 

Lane Hutson impresses as a dynamic defenseman with exceptional skating and puck-handling skills that make him stand out every time he hits the ice. His hockey IQ and vision are unparalleled, complementing a defensive game that’s on a constant upward trajectory, underscored by leading the Terriers in ice time. This season Hutson has averaged 1.33 points per game, which ranks 13th nationally among all NCAA skaters, and is tied for first in points by a defenseman with 44.  Hutson also ranks third in goals by a defenseman (12) and tied for fourth in game winning goals by a defenseman (3). 

Already named the Big Ten Goaltender of the Year, and a finalist for Big Ten Player of the Year, Kyle McClellan ranks among the nation’s top goaltenders.  He leads the nation in save percentage (.931) and shutouts (7).  This season he has 24 victories and a 1.92 goals-against average which is second in the nation.  His seven shutouts place him second on UW’s all-time single-season list. Recognized for his excellence, he’s a semifinalist for the Mike Richter Award  also earning accolades such as the Hockey Commissioners Association’s National Goaltender of the Month for December. 

Liam McLinskey transferred to Holy Cross after a brief stint at Quinnipiac. He made an immediate impact. In 2022-23, he played all 40 games, scoring 25 points and setting a playoff record with nine goals in six games. This season, he elevated his game even further, leading the Crusaders with 47 points and earning numerous accolades, including Atlantic Hockey Player of the Year. Known for his dynamic skating and playmaking ability, McLinskey contributes both offensively and defensively while also actively engaging in community service initiatives, such as supporting and mentoring his Team Impact teammate. 

Sam Morton leads the CCHA in conference goals scored with 15 goals, 9 power-play goals, and the highest number of shots and face-off wins, contributing to his fourth-place ranking in overall points (34) and a 55.5% face-off win percentage. His performance across 37 games boasts 24 goals, 10 assists, and ranks him eighth nationally for power-play goals (9), with notable achievements in shot blocking, face-offs, and maintaining point streaks. Throughout his tenure with Minnesota State, Morton has accumulated 44 goals, 32 assists, and distinguished himself with 17 power-play goals and six game-winners.

Will Smith finished the regular season atop the NCAA scoring chart with 58 points, amassing 18 goals alongside a nation-leading 40 assists, and was a consistent force scoring in 31 out of 35 games, highlighted by a dominant 18-game point streak. Smith’s season was distinguished by 20 games with multiple points and pivotal performances against high-ranking opponents, earning accolades such as Hockey East Rookie of the Week and Player of the Month.