The NCAA has announced their Hobey Baker Hat Trick Finalists. University of Michigan senior T.J. Hughes, University of Minnesota-Duluth sophomore Max Plante, and Universty of Denver junior Eric Pohlkamp will be the last in the race to win college hockey’s coveted MVP award. Hughes and Plante sit second and third in national scoring with 56 and 52 points respectively, while Pohlkamp leads all defenders with 39 points.
All three were true number-ones for their teams. Hughes’ veteran presence and ability away from the puck helped a young Michigan squad rival the top ranking in the country for most of the season. Plante, a Detroit Red Wings prospect, was the motor behind one of the most explosive offenses in the country – in tandem with his brother, Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Zam Plante. Pohlkamp, a San Jose Sharks prospect, embraced the top defender on a perennial National Championship contender and added onto it a starring role on the Spengler Cup’s U.S. Collegiate Selects lineup. Hughes and Pohlkamp remain have also reached the Frozen Four, set to kickoff on April 9th.
All three have strong cases for being named college hockey’s top players. It was another difficult year for the selection committee after having to decide between Isaac Howard, Ryan Leonard, and Zeev Buium last year.
Even with the pedigree on the ballot this year, the talent left in the Top 10 is suprising. Quinnipiac University winger, and Calgary Flames prospect, Ethan Wyttenbach leads the nation in scoring, as a freshman, with 59 points. He had a breakout year on the top offense in the country, one that he will be returning to next season. Michigan State University teammates Charlie Stramel and Trey Augustine also had standout years serving as the veteran leaders on a newly-assembled Spartans squad. Even Boston College, and Boston Bruins, center James Hagens and top 2026 NHL Draft prospect Gavin McKenna had strong cases for MVP honors. The 2025-26 season, and the first year of CHL eligiblity, brought a wealth of talent to the college flight.
Bad choices. Favoritism shown. Sad.
It’s all politics…
Please explain how this was all politics. With facts and data please, Thanks.
Hughes should have no shortage of NHL teams looking to sign him once his college career is over.
Best outcome for Wyttenbach. He’ll definitely benefit from another year of NCAA. I think the play callers want to see if he can do it again, seeing as he was a late draft pick. I’ve watched and read a lot of interviews with this kid. No wonder he won the Gaudreau Award. He just wants to always get better and prove that he can play this game really well. Prove people wrong in a sense. Just like Johnny Hockey.
This could be a HUGE find for the Flames.
5th round pick? It’s all gravy no matter how he lands.
Any other Hughes related?
@ Luke306 – If you’re asking whether T.J. Hughes is related to the three brothers, he doesn’t appear to be, according to EP.