On Campus: Beniers, Power among Hobey Baker favorites
Levi, Sanderson other NHL prospects contending for award given to best in Division I
By
Mark Divver
NHL.com Independent Correspondent
Cole Caufield, now with the Montreal Canadiens, won the award in 2021 after scoring 30 goals and 52 points in 31 games for the University of Wisconsin.
Several favorites are expected to play in the 2022 Beijing Olympics from Feb. 4-20, and the time away from their college teams could impact their cases for the award.
The Hobey Baker winner will be announced at the Frozen Four in Boston on April 8.
Here are the 10 top contenders for the award (in alphabetical order):
Nicholas Abruzzese, Harvard University
The junior forward is back at the top of his game after not playing last season because of hip surgery and Harvard's season being cancelled because of COVID-19. He has scored 21 points (five goals, 16 assists) in 14 games. His average of 1.5 points per game is the best in the NCAA.
The 22-year-old, who was selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the fourth round (No. 124) of the 2019 NHL Draft, is on the roster for the United States Olympic team.
Matty Beniers, University of Michigan
There isn't a better 200-foot center in college hockey than Beniers, who was selected No. 2 by the Seattle Kraken in the 2021 NHL Draft.
The sophomore has scored 30 points (14 goals, 16 assists) in 24 games this season. He will play for the United States in Beijing.
Devon Levi, Northeastern University
Levi is looking to become the first goalie to win the award since Ryan Miller of Michigan State in 2001.
A strong candidate for to make the Canada's Olympic roster, which is expected to be announced next week, the sophomore is 16-5-1, having allowed 29 goals in 22 games. His .955 save percentage is the best among Division I goalies, and his 1.31 goals-against average is third.
The 20-year-old was selected by the Florida Panthers in the seventh round (No. 212) of the 2020 NHL Draft. He was traded to the Buffalo Sabres, along with a first-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, for forward Sam Reinhart on July 24, 2021.
Dryden McKay, Minnesota State University
McKay is a dominating presence in goal for the No. 2 ranked team in the country.
The senior is 21-4-0 with a .932 save percentage and a 1.25 goals-against average. His career record is 96-19-4.
Undrafted, the 24-year-old holds the NCAA Division I men's hockey record for career shutouts with 32. He has eight shutouts this season.
Marc McLaughlin, Boston College
Winner of the Hockey East Best Defensive Forward Award each of the past two seasons, McLaughlin has blossomed as a scorer this year and is tied for second in the country with 16 goals. The 22-year-old has scored 22 points in 21 games.
The senior will play for the United States in Beijing and should draw heavy free agent interest from NHL teams after the season.
Ben Meyers, University of Minnesota
Meyers is a well-rounded forward who competes all over the ice. Undrafted, the 23-year-old will be in demand by NHL teams when his season is finished.
The junior leads Minnesota in scoring with 24 points (nine goals, 15 assists) in 22 games. He'll play for the United States in the Olympics.
Owen Power, University of Michigan
Power leads all NCAA defensemen in scoring with 24 points (three goals, 21 assists) in 22 games.
The No. 1 pick in the 2021 NHL Draft by the Sabres, 19-year-old sophomore is expected to play for Canada in the Olympics.
Jake Sanderson, University of North Dakota
Sanderson, a sophomore defenseman, leads North Dakota in scoring with 22 points (six goals, 16 assists) in 17 games.
The 19-year-old, who will play for the United States in the Olympics, was selected by the Ottawa Senators in the first round (No. 5) of the 2020 draft.
Carter Savoie, Denver University
Savoie is a pure scorer with a dynamic shot. The 19-year-old forward has scored 26 points (13 goals, 13 assists) in 18 games.
The sophomore was selected by the Edmonton Oilers in the fourth round (No. 100) in the 2020 draft.
Nathan Smith, Minnesota State University
Smith leads the country in scoring with 35 points (13 goals, 22 assists) in 24 games, two points ahead of senior forward Hank Crone of Northern Michigan University.
A native of Florida, the junior forward was selected in the third round (No. 81) by the Winnipeg Jets in the 2018 NHL Draft. The 23-year-old will play for the U.S. in the Olympics.
Photos courtesy of Michigan Photography
