Hobey Baker Watch: Week 9
With college hockey’s winter break concluding last weekend, it’s time to take another look at the some of the top players in the nation. Here are this week’s players to watch in college hockey:
Tanner Laczynski, F, Ohio State
After being drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the sixth round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, Laczynski kicked off his collegiate career with 32 points in 34 games, an eye-opening point total for a freshman in the Big Ten.
Laczynski is following up his solid freshman campaign with an even more impressive sophomore year. Past the halfway point, Laczynski has 10 goals and 19 assists for 29 points in 22 games.
He has points in 16 of his last 18 games for the Buckeyes and nine multi-point games during that stretch. As the postseason approaches, Laczynski will be key to Ohio State’s success.
C.J. Suess, F, Minnesota State
Suess is a new entry into the Hobey Baker race. He’s tallied 29 points in 22 games after scoring 13 goals and assisting on 16 more.
Suess has helped Minnesota State climb into the national picture and all the way up to their 7th ranked position in the Pairwise ratings. He has nine goals in his last six games, leading the Mavericks to five wins in those six games.
Suess is a late addition to the party, but if he maintains his recent scoring surge, he might just earn himself a spot as a finalist.
Dylan McLaughlin, F, Canisius
Although Canisius has dropped down in the rankings from earlier in the season, McLaughlin is still a deserving candidate for the Hobey Baker.
He has been held off of the scoreboard just twice in his 19 games this season. In those 19 games, he has 29 points on 12 goals and 17 assists.
McLaughlin is tied with Laczynski and Suess with 29 points but has done it in three fewer games than both of the other players.
He has a better points per game ratio than some of the other top contenders, but his team is further down in the rankings. Time will tell how that affects his Hobey Baker stock, but his numbers speak for themselves.
Josh Starr is a freshman majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email joshlstarr16@gmail.com.
