Macklin Celebrini won the 2024 Hobey Baker Memorial Award, given to the best player in college hockey.
Celebrini, the freshman forward from Boston University, is expected to be the No. 1 pick in this year’s NHL Draft.
Celebrini was a finalist with North Dakota’s Jackson Blake and Boston College’s Cutter Gauthier.
Advertisement
“It’s just surreal, I’m shaking right now,” Celebrini said. “I’m humbled and truly honored.”
This Hobey Baker Memorial Award is the most prestigious individual award in college hockey. Some big-name Hobey Baker winners who recently went on to NHL stardom include Jack Eichel, Cale Makar and Johnny Gaudreau. Celebrini’s next step could be playing for Team Canada for the upcoming World Championships. It’s a possibility he’ll join the team.
The superstar freshman — at age 17 — was a dynamic, two-way player for one of college hockey’s top teams. There’s no doubt a strong case for Gauthier, too, who led the nation with 37 goals. Gauthier’s 65 points were second in college hockey.
Celebrini had 64 points in 37 games, including 32 goals. His Terriers lost in Thursday’s Frozen Four semifinal to Denver in overtime. Celebrini has yet to decide if he’ll go pro after this season but knows it’ll be a busy few months.
“It’ll be a whirlwind,” he said.
Was Celebrini the right choice?
The award came down to Celebrini and Gauthier, who is an Anaheim Ducks prospect. Gauthier had a tremendous season with one of the highest goal marks by a college player in the modern era. However Gauthier was surrounded by elite college forwards at BC in Will Smith, Ryan Leonard and Gabe Perreault. I watched a lot of both teams this season and often Gauthier was not even the best forward on his team in a given night.
The same could not be said of Celebrini. BU had plenty of great players around him but he drove the bus for them night in and night out with dominant two-way play due to his great skill, speed and competitive attitude. He was the deserving winner. — Corey Pronman, senior NHL prospects writer
Required reading
- Boston College routs Michigan to reach Frozen Four championship game
- Denver rallies for overtime win over Boston University in Frozen Four semifinal
(Photo: Winslow Townson / Getty Images)