Hobey Baker Watch: Preseason Edition

Hockey is back and the NCAA is ready to see action from all across the nation. There are so many exciting players to watch in the upcoming 2023-24 hockey season, so let’s take a look at a few early candidates for the Hobey Baker.

Cutter Gauthier, Forward, Boston College

Gauthier announced that he was going back to Boston College because he had some unfinished business. After a strong freshman campaign where he totaled 37 points in 32 games, Gauthier is now a part of one of the most explosive offenses in the NCAA.

He is now going to roll with Will Smith, Ryan Leonard and Gabe Perreault, players who had extremely good seasons with the United States National Development Team. With the new freshman class, Gauthier will look to take them under his wing and become a top contender for the national championship.

Massimo Rizzo, Forward, Denver

His collegiate play has been as good as his name. Rizzo is coming back to the Pioneers for his third season with the program. After a season where he netted 46 points, Rizzo looked like one of the most dangerous offensive threats in the NCAA.

Over the offseason, Rizzo was traded from the Carolina Hurricanes to the Philadelphia Flyers, a team that has allowed a lot of young players to get a shot at the roster. That could work as extra motivation for Rizzo to get the contract and make an appearance in burnt orange.

Jimmy Snuggerud, Forward, Minnesota

Snuggerud is another player who is returning to college for a second year. The St. Louis Blues prospect will have a new line to work with as Logan Cooley and Matthew Knies moved on to the NHL. Now, he’ll look to build off of his 50-point freshman season with new teammates such as Oliver Moore, a fleet-footed dynamo who was also a part of the USA development team.

Just like Gauthier, Snuggerud will have to take the reins and lead a different core of Golden Gophers in hopes of repeated success. The Blues are looking to retool pieces of their team and Snuggerud can be a key piece to a young core.

Will Smith, Forward, Boston College

Speaking of dynamos, Will Smith brings a versatile, silky offensive style of game that can turn the tide of a contest. You think you have him locked down but just like that, he’s behind you dangling the pads off your goalie. The fourth-overall pick in the 2023 NHL draft has made a name for himself, and it’s not the famous actor.

Between the USA Development Team and the USHL, Smith tallied a total of 169 points. The San Jose Sharks prospect is one of the most talented players entering the NCAA this season, and putting him on the Boston College roster can create problems for opponents.

Lane Hutson, Defenseman, Boston University

Hutson is looking to be the top defenseman in the NCAA this season after being a nominee for the Hobey Baker last season. 48 points in 39 games as a defenseman will put anyone in the conversation for best blue-liner. The Boston University Terriers are ranked No. 1 on USCHO’s preseason ranking and the talent pops off the roster.

Hutson is a key piece to BU’s success, and if the Terriers want to win a national championship, they need Hutson to be at the level they’ve seen for a while now.

Anthony Desher is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email acd5698@psu.edu.