What is the Hobey Baker Award?
The Hobey Baker Memorial Award is presented each April to the top player in NCAA men's ice hockey. First awarded in 1981 and named for the Princeton forward who died flying in the First World War, it is unusual among major awards in writing character into the criteria: the published standard weighs scholarship, sportsmanship and character alongside on-ice performance, and the winner must be in good academic standing.[1] [2]
How is it decided?
By a two-stage process: Division I coaches nominate, a national fan vote and a selection committee of coaches, media and past winners narrow the field to ten finalists and then to three, and the winner is announced live during the Frozen Four. The women's equivalent, the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award, has been presented since 1998 on a parallel timetable.[1] [3]
Who won it most recently?
Minnesota Duluth sophomore forward Max Plante won the 2026 Hobey Baker Award, announced on 10 April 2026, after 25 goals and 27 assists for 52 points in 40 games.[2] [4]
Why does it matter?
Because NCAA hockey is one of the two principal development routes to the NHL — and since 2025 it has been open to major-junior players as well, deepening the field further. The Hobey names one player a year out of roughly 1,500 in Division I, on a ballot that includes the coaches who face them.[1] [3]
References
- Hobey Baker Award — official site. Accessed August 2026.
- Hobey Baker Award — Max Plante wins 2026 Hobey Baker Award. Accessed August 2026.
- NCAA.com — Hobey Baker Award: history, winners, selection process. Accessed August 2026.
- NHL.com — Plante wins Hobey Baker Award as top NCAA men's hockey player. Accessed August 2026.