It’s the heart of the college hockey season, and multiple players jump out as potential candidates for the Hobey Baker Award.

There are names worth considering from Arizona State to teams such as Northeastern. It’s anyone’s race with several weeks remaining in the season, but some skaters and goaltenders alike have established themselves as serious candidates.

Although players such as Michigan’s Kent Johnson, his teammate in future Saber Owen Power, or Western Michigan’s Drew Worrad did not make this week’s Hobey Baker watch, there is still time for them to emerge as more serious candidates.

With that being said, here are five players that may end up winning the Hobey Baker Award.

Devon Levi (Goaltender-Northeastern)

Northeastern sophomore goaltender and future Buffalo Saber Devon Levi has played a solid season in net, helping the No. 15 Huskies to a 16-5-1 record. Levi leads the nation with a .953 save percentage and ranks third in goals against average with 1.375 per game.

There is a legitimate chance for Levi to take home the award not just because of his numbers, but because he has been a key player for a very good team in big games.

One of Levi’s best games came against what was at the time the no. 6/7 ranked Harvard squad when he only allowed one goal in a 2-1 win.

Yaniv Perets (Goaltender-Quinnipiac)

Quinnipiac goaltender Yaniv Perets has been very impressive, especially as a freshman. The Quebec native leads college hockey in goals against average with an allowed .742 per game. Perets is also second in college hockey in terms of save percentage with .952.

With the 2021-22 season being the first for Perets, it is clear that the future is very bright for the young goaltender assuming he continues playing like this.

He is arguably the best goaltender in college hockey and could win the Hobey Baker sooner rather than later.

Hank Crone (Forward-Northern Michigan)

Hank Crone, a junior from Dallas, Texas, may well be the best offensive playmaker in college hockey right now. Crone leads college hockey with 24 assists and is second in points with 33.

By the end of the season, he might lead college hockey in both categories.

Colin Theisen (Forward-Arizona State)

Sun Devil Colin Theisen is a similar player to Crone in terms of his playmaking abilities. The graduate student from Monroe, Michigan ranks high in goal scoring as well as points, which is a testament to his capabilities as a player.

Theisen is tied for third in total points with 32 while averaging 1.19 points per game. The Arizona State product is also in a three-way tie for second in most goals scored with 16.

If Theisen can put the puck in the back of the net consistently against upcoming opponent Minnesota State, he may establish himself as the most likely skater candidate.

Dryden McKay (Goaltender-Minnesota State)

Speaking of Minnesota State, Colin Theisen will have trouble scoring goals with Dryden McKay in the net. McKay, a senior, is second in goals against average with 1.249 goals allowed per game.

Meanwhile, he is seventh in save percentage with .932. McKay has plenty of time to get that save percentage into the top three to make himself even more of a serious candidate.

Nolan Wick is a first-year majoring in journalism. To contact him, email nhw5046@psu.edu.