Plante, Pohlkamp, Hughes Advance as Hobey Baker Finalists
Max Plante, Eric Pohlkamp, and T.J. Hughes have been named finalists for the prestigious Hobey Baker Memorial Award, which honors the best NCAA men’s hockey player. The announcement was made on Thursday, with the award winner set to be revealed during the Frozen Four on April 10, one day before the national championship game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Profiles of the Finalists
Max Plante
Max Plante is a 20-year-old sophomore forward prospect for the Detroit Red Wings. He currently ranks second in NCAA goals with 25 and third in points with 52 across 40 games. Plante notably had points in 29 games this season and finished with a five-game point streak, including three goals and four assists. His team, Minnesota Duluth, faced Michigan in the Regional Final on March 29, where Plante recorded an assist in a narrow 4-3 loss.
- Age: 20
- Goals: 25 (2nd in NCAA)
- Points: 52 (3rd in NCAA)
- NHL Draft: Detroit Red Wings, 2nd round (No. 47) in 2024
Eric Pohlkamp
Eric Pohlkamp, a 22-year-old junior defenseman, represents the San Jose Sharks. He is a standout player, leading all college defensemen with 39 points, including 18 goals and 21 assists from 41 games. Transferring from Bemidji State to Denver for the 2024-25 season, Pohlkamp played a crucial role in helping his team advance in the Frozen Four, contributing a goal and an assist in a 6-2 victory over Western Michigan. He could become Denver’s first Hobey Baker winner since Will Butcher in 2017.
- Age: 22
- Goals: 18 (college defenseman leader)
- Points: 39 (college defenseman leader)
- NHL Draft: San Jose Sharks, 5th round (No. 132) in 2023
T.J. Hughes
T.J. Hughes is a 24-year-old senior forward for Michigan. He boasts an impressive season with 56 points, comprising 21 goals and 35 assists. Hughes was recognized as the Big Ten Player of the Year and has led his team in scoring for two consecutive seasons. He ended a seven-game point streak during the Regional Final against Minnesota Duluth. Should he win, he would be Michigan’s second Hobey Baker champion in four years, following Adam Fantilli’s win in 2023.
- Age: 24
- Goals: 21
- Points: 56 (2nd in NCAA)
- Big Ten Player of the Year
Upcoming Frozen Four Details
The Frozen Four will feature intense matchups, including Minnesota Duluth facing Michigan. The semifinals are set for:
| Date | Matchup | Time (ET) | Broadcast |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 9 | Denver vs. Michigan | 8:30 p.m. | ESPN2 |
| April 10 | Wisconsin vs. North Dakota | 5:00 p.m. | ESPN2 |
This year’s Hobey Baker finalists showcase exceptional talent and skill, promising an exciting conclusion to the NCAA hockey season at El-Balad.
