2022-23 Hobey Baker Watch: Week 1
The Hobey Baker award is given to the top NCAA player who best "exhibits strength of character both on and off the ice" and "contributes to the team's integrity and displays outstanding skills in all phases of the game."
The Hobey Baker Award is an annual award to the top National Collegiate Athletic Association men's ice hockey player.
Predicting the winner of the Hobey Baker award is always very difficult at the beginning of the season. There are so many different elements the committee thinks about when deciding who takes home the award at the end of the season.
The committee is almost always going to choose an upper-classmen and a player that also shows good leadership for their team. The award is always up for grabs, and any position can claim the award.
Many returning players this season who finished top 10 in voting last year for the award. Defenseman Luke Hughes, and are the early favorites for the award because they are highly talented returning players.
Luke Hughes, D, Michigan
Hughes scored 17 goals last season and set Michigan’s single-season record for points by a freshman with 39 in 41 games. These numbers stand out right away to the committee, and that’s what makes him an obvious favorite to start the season.
Last season Hughes was a threat offensively and defensively. Hughes was great at both ends of the Ice which made him such a dangerous player and fun player to watch.
Hughes's D-partner last season was star defenseman Owen Power. With the departure of Power, this means a heavy workload for Hughes, who most likely will quarterback the young Michigan power play.
Last season Michigan had the number one power play in the country, and Hughes would be a huge reason they succeed again this season.
The only downside for Hughes coming into this season was that he got injured during the summer World Juniors and only just resumed skating a few weeks ago. Regardless of Hughes's injury status, he should make a huge impact right out of the gate.
Matt Coronato, RW, Havard
The Calgary Flames' 13th overall pick had a very strong freshman season putting up 36 points in 34 games as a freshman last season. Coronato looks to have an even bigger year on a very talented team offensively. One thing that jumps out on tape is that Coronato is just a pure goal scorer.
Before his freshman season, Coronato scored 48 goals in 51 USHL games for the Chicago Steel. Last year he ended the season with a total of 18 goals, but looks to make a huge jump this season and is hunting for a 25-30 goal season.
Scoring 25+ goals in Division 1 hockey is very tough, but if anyone could do it Coronato is the guy. He has a lot of talent around him, with players like another first-round pick Sean Farrell.
Logan Cooley, C, Minnesota
Logan Cooley was selected 3rd overall by the Arizona Coyotes in this past year's NHL Draft. Cooley is a sleeper pick coming into this season because he is a freshman, but he has a lot of potential to be a breakout player in his first season.
Last season Cooley played for the USA development team, racking up 27 goals and 48 assists. Heading into his first college hockey season he looks to be a big contributor as he most likely will play center on the top line for the Gophers.
There will be many opportunities for him to shine in the Gopher's highly talented offense. It’s tough for a freshman to win this award, but Cooley will have lots of opportunities to put up big numbers as he will see a lot of power play time and around 20 minutes a night.
Christian Holtzapple is a third-year majoring in Journalism. To contact him, email cmh7064@psu.edu.
