The three finalists for the Hobey Baker Award have been named, and top prospect Gavin McKenna has missed the mark.
It was announced Thursday that Michigan forward T.J. Hughes, Minnesota Duluth forward Max Plante and Denver defenceman Eric Pohlkamp were named the three finalists for the prestigious award, given to college hockey's top player.
Hughes, a native of Hamilton, Ont., and the captain of the Michigan Wolverines, has enjoyed a productive senior year, tallying 21 goals and 35 assists in 39 games while leading his side to the semifinals of the NCAA D1 men's hockey championship.
An undrafted forward, Hughes has spent four years in Ann Arbor, but managed to put it all together for his age-24 campaign, finishing second in D1 scoring behind only Ethan Wyttenbach of Quinnipiac University.
Plante, 20, is in his sophomore season with the Bulldogs and is a Detroit Red Wings prospect, having been drafted 47th overall by the team in 2024.
A native of Duluth, Minn., the left winger has enjoyed a breakout year, tallying 52 points (25 goals, 27 assists) in 40 games and helping his side to the Regional Final of the NCAA D1 men's hockey tournament.
Pohlkamp, 22, has spent the last two seasons at the University of Denver after starting his collegiate career at Bemidji State University.
A fifth-round selection of the San Jose Sharks in 2023, the Baxter, Minn., native has 39 points (18 goals, 21 assists) in 41 games for the Pioneers in his junior season. He and the rest of his Denver squad are set to face Hughes and Michigan in the Frozen Four semifinals next week.
McKenna is a notable omission from the list of finalists, as the freshman led the Big Ten in scoring with 38 points (11 goals, 27 assists) in 24 conference games. He was also named the Big Ten freshman of the year.
The Whitehorse, Yukon, native may hear his name called first overall at the upcoming NHL Draft in June.
The winner of the Hobey Baker Award is set to be announced on April 10.
