Hutson, Gauthier, Celebrini highlight NCAA’s 2024 Hobey Baker top 10 finalists

We know the top 10 finalists for one of college hockey’s most prestigious awards.

On Wednesday, the Hobey Baker Memorial Award Committee revealed the top 10 candidates for the award that honors college hockey’s best player.

The 2024 nominees are Jackson Blake (So., North Dakota), Macklin Celebrini (Fr., Boston University), Jack Devine (Jr., Denver), Cutter Gauthier (So., Boston College), Collin Graf (Jr., Quinnipiac), Lane Hutson (So., Boston University), Kyle McClellan (Sr., Wisconsin), Liam McLinskey (Jr., Holy Cross), Sam Morton (Gr., Minnesota State) and Will Smith (Fr., Boston College).

Smith was the nation’s leading scorer, leading the Eagles with 58 points this season. He, along with Anaheim Ducks’ prospect Cutter Gauthier, powered a BC team to the top of the polls, coming into the postseason as the no. 1 team in the country. Gauthier leads the NCAA with 32 goals.

A couple of crosstown rivals are also finalists for the award. Macklin Celebrini and Lane Hutson have been leading a Boston University side through the Hockey East Tournament with the expectation that they advance to the Frozen Four. Celebrini, the odds-on pick to be drafted first overall this summer, is third in the nation with 55 points.

North Dakota’s Jackson Blake is helping the Fighting Hawks return to contendership this season, as Blake led the best team in the NCHC with 57 points. Denver’s Jack Devine also had a great season with the Pioneers, sitting fourth in the nation with 54 points.

Graf and McLinskey each led their respective conferences in scoring. The Bobcats’ Graf ended up tied for 10th in the country with 48 points, the most in the ECAC, while McLinskey led Atlantic Hockey by scoring 47 points for the Crusaders.

Sam Morton was the driving force behind a retooled Minnesota State team this year, and ended up leading the CCHA with 24 goals. He is expected to sign a contract with the Calgary Flames in the near future.

McClellan was one of the top netminders in the country. He helped a revitalized Wisconsin program finish second in the Big Ten, leading the NCAA in shutouts (7) and
tied for the best save percentage in the NCAA (.931).