Macklin Celebrini wins 2024 Hobey Baker Award

After weeks and weeks of waiting, a winner has been announced. The prestigious Hobey Baker Award has been given to the nation’s most outstanding player.

Three finalists sat on a stage in St. Paul, Minnesota hoping that their name would be called, Jackson Blake, Cutter Gauthier and Macklin Celebrini.

Only one could take home the award, and after a tremendous season, Boston University’s Macklin Celebrini was awarded the Hobey Baker Award.

The freshman took the nation by storm. At just 17 years old, Celebrini lit up scoresheets every weekend since October.

In 38 games this season, Celebrini found the back of the net 32 times. He sits first in the country for goals among freshmen, and second nationally.

He was also good at setting up his teammates, dishing out 32 assists to make up half of the 64 points he tallied total.

He is one of four freshmen to ever post at least 30 goals and 30 assists this century.

Celebrini is the kind of player that can do it all. He can create offense, especially off the rush. His creativity and agility make him such a standout player who makes his presence known regularly.

You can trust him defensively with his high IQ and even though he’s only 17, his strength helps him win battles in the dirty areas of the ice.

With this award, he’s become the youngest player to ever be given the Hobey Baker. Jack Eichel was previously the youngest player to have the Hobey Baker at 18, also a Terrier.

Celebrini is now the fourth freshman to win the honor since it was first awarded in 1981. He joins Paul Kariya (1993 winner), Jack Eichel (2015) and Adam Fantilli (2023).

Celebrini has been projected as the first overall pick in the upcoming NHL draft. This award has solidified his spot as the consensus No. 1 pick.

Boston University was a great team this season, making it to the Frozen Four for a second straight year. The Terriers have talent all up and down the lineup, but Celebrini was in the driver’s seat leading the program to another impressive season.

The Hobey Baker puts the cherry on top of a season full of accolades. Celebrini was named Hockey East Player of the Year, Hockey East Rookie of the Year.

He was named to the Hockey East First Team and First Team All-American by the American Hockey Coaches Association.

While Boston University’s season ended in defeat, Celebrini’s career is just getting started.

His skill will carry him a long way when he makes the jump to the NHL. Celebrini has all the right stuff to make him a force at every level of play.

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