Isaac Howard wins 2025 Hobey Baker Award for top men’s NCAA hockey player

As an increasing number of top NHL prospects opt for the NCAA over the CHL, competition for the top men’s college hockey player grows more fierce.

Michigan State’s Isaac Howard won that competition on Friday, taking home the 2025 Hobey Baker Award.

Selected 31st overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2022 NHL Draft, Howard, 21, scored 26 goals and had 26 assists for 52 points in 37 games this season. The five-foot-11 winger led the Big Ten in goal-scoring and finished second in total points.

Denver’s Zeev Buium (Minnesota Wild) and Boston College’s Ryan Leonard (Washington Capitals) were the other finalists.

Boston College’s Jacob Fowler won the Mike Richter Award for most outstanding goaltender in men’s NCAA hockey, becoming just the second Eagle to ever receive the honour. He is a Montreal Canadiens draft pick.

More to come.