The Hobey Baker Memorial Award committee announced its 10 finalists for the 2025–26 season. The list is headlined by a pair of prolific freshmen: Gavin McKenna, the projected No. 1 pick for the 2026 NHL Draft, and Ethan Wyttenbach, a Calgary Flames prospect who finished as the nation's leading scorer.
The following players were named as finalists:
Trey Augustine, G, Michigan State (Detroit Red Wings)
James Hagens, F, Boston College (Boston Bruins)
T.J. Hughes, F, Michigan
Gavin McKenna, F, Penn State (2026 Draft Eligible)
Max Plante, F, Minnesota Duluth (Detroit Red Wings)
Eric Pohlkamp, D, Denver (San Jose Sharks)
Hayden Stavroff, F, Dartmouth
Charlie Stramel, F, Michigan State (Minnesota Wild)
Felix Trudeau, F, Sacred Heart
Ethan Wyttenbach, F, Quinnipiac (Calgary Flames)
McKenna lived up to the massive hype surrounding his move from the WHL. He led the Big Ten in scoring (38 points in conference play) and set a modern NCAA record with an eight-point performance against Ohio State in February.
Wyttenbach defied expectations by leading the entire country in points (58) as a true freshman. He set a Quinnipiac rookie record for scoring and was a unanimous All-ECAC First Team selection.
The backbone of the nation's No. 1 ranked team, Augustine became only the second goaltender to win back-to-back Big Ten Goalie of the Year honors. He is looking to become just the second netminder in 25 years to win the Hobey.
Pohlkamp established a new NCHC record for goals by a defenseman (17) while leading all blue liners in shots (166) and blocked shots (72).
The field will be narrowed to the "Hobey Hat Trick" (three finalists) on April 2. The winner will be officially announced on April 10, 2026, during the Frozen Four weekend at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
