Leonard, Buium, Howard named Hobey Baker finalists
Boston College forward Ryan Leonard, Denver defenseman Zeev Buium, and Michigan State forward Isaac Howard were announced Thursday as this year's Hobey Baker Award finalists.
The Hobey Baker is presented annually to the top NCAA men's hockey player. San Jose Sharks rookie Macklin Celebrini won the award in 2024 with Boston University.
Leonard leads the nation with 30 goals in 37 games and topped Boston College with 49 points. His Eagles ranked No. 1 heading into the NCAA championship tournament but lost to Denver in the Manchester regional final. The feisty winger turned pro on Monday, signing a three-year, entry-level contract with the Washington Capitals, who drafted him eighth overall in 2023. Leonard won MVP at the world juniors in January.
Johnny Gaudreau is the most recent Boston College player to win the Hobey Baker, earning the honor in 2014.
Buium leads all college defensemen in scoring with 48 points in 40 games. The sophomore helped Denver advance to the Frozen Four with a goal and an assist against Boston College in the regional final and is the only Hobey Baker finalist still vying for the national title. The Minnesota Wild drafted Buium 12th overall last summer.
Defenseman Will Butcher in 2017 was the last Pioneer to win the Hobey Baker.
Howard ranks fifth in the NCAA in scoring with 52 points in 37 contests, but he leads the nation in points per game (1.41). His 26 goals are tied for third in the country. The Tampa Bay Lightning drafted the Michigan State standout 31st overall in 2022. Howard completed his junior campaign with the Spartans' loss against Cornell but has been unable to sign with the Lightning due to the team's cap restraints.
A Michigan State player hasn't won the Hobey Baker since Ryan Miller captured the award in 2001.
The Hobey Baker Award will be handed out April 11.