Boston University star Macklin Celebrini has won the Hobey Baker Award as the top men’s NCAA hockey player for the 2023-24 season.
Celebrini beat out Boston College’s Cutter Gauthier (Anaheim Ducks) and North Dakota’s Jackson Blake (Carolina Hurricanes) to become the first 17-year-old to win the award.
And your 2024 recipient is…. pic.twitter.com/g7AVArLEvG
— Hobey Baker Award (@HobeyBakerAward) April 12, 2024
The Hobey Baker is awarded to the most outstanding NCAA player each year. Columbus Blue Jackets forward Adam Fantilli won it in 2023 after an incredible freshman season with the University of Michigan Wolverines. Other notable winners include Cole Caufield (2021), Cale Makar (2019), Jack Eichel (2015), Johnny Gaudreau (2014) and Ryan Miller (2001).
With 32 goals in 38 games, no U-18 player has ever scored more goals than Celebrini, and only two have more points than his 64. The consensus No. 1 pick in this year’s NHL Draft is third in college scoring, earning himself the Tim Taylor Award as rookie of the year, among other awards.
Celebrini is the fourth BU star to win the award. Former NHLers Chris Drury (1998) and Matt Gilroy (2009), as well as Vegas Golden Knights star Jack Eichel (2015), have also taken home the coveted award. Eichel won it as in his freshman season before turning pro with the Buffalo Sabres.
This year, Celebrini also led Canada in scoring at the 2024 World Junior Championship with four goals and eight points. Last year, the Vancouver, B.C. native led the USHL in goals (46) and points (86) en route to the league’s rookie and player of the year honors.
Celebrini’s BU Eagles were eliminated in overtime by Denver in the semifinal game on Thursday evening.
The NCAA will crown its national champion on Saturday, with Boston College Eagles taking on the Denver Pioneers. Puck drop is set for just after 6:00 PM ET in Saint Paul, Minnesota.