Lane Hutson was Snubbed
The three finalists for the Hobey Baker Award, the trophy given to College Hockey’s top player, were announced on Thursday. Shockingly, Lane Hutson was not one of the finalists. Instead, 2023 NHL Draft prospect Adam Fantilli, Coyotes Prospect Logan Cooley, and Leafs prospect Matthew Knies were named the finalists.
The Hobey Baker Memorial Award Committee is pleased to announce the three Hobey Baker Hat Trick finalists for the 2023 award, honoring college hockey’s top player. Alphabetically, they are: Logan Cooley, a freshman forward from the University of Minnesota; https://t.co/0Wyth7htuI… pic.twitter.com/q77cHp81L0
— Hobey Baker Award (@HobeyBakerAward) March 30, 2023
While all three players had exceptional seasons, it seems odd to leave Lane Hutson off the ballot after the season he just had. Hutson was the best player on Boston University, a team that won their conference and made it to the Frozen Four, just like the other three candidates. And in the process, he scored the most points for a defenseman his age since Hockey Hall of Famer Brian Leetch.
Lane Hutson did make the final ten, as did Sean Farrell, but both did not make the final cut down to three. Farrell, as good as a season he had, was not expected to be one of the three finalists, although it’s nice to see him get some recognition. Although maybe not the favourite to win it, Hutson should have been one of the three finalists. Having two players that not only play on the same team but the same line in the final three is just wrong.
For reference, when Cale Makar won the Hobey-Baker in 2019 he put up 49 points in 41 games.
— Hadi Kalakeche (@HadiK_Scouting) March 30, 2023
Lane Hutson’s season isn’t even done, and he has 48 points in 38 games… and doesn’t even make the final three nominees.
Makar was 20 in that season, Hutson just turned 19.
Snubbed.
I suspect Adam Fantilli will win the award, as he should after his incredible season for the Michigan Wolverines. If Connor Bedard wasn’t a prospect in this year’s draft, Fantilli would be the first overall pick. The draft-eligible centre put up 64 points in 35 games as a true freshman. Minnesota forward Logan Cooley also had a great season with 57 points in 37 games, also as a true freshman.
Fellow Minnesota Golden Gopher Matthew Knies finished third on his own team in scoring with 41 points in 39 games. Lane Hutson, a defenseman, had 48 points in 38 games. Of course, there’s more to hockey than points, but I’m just struggling to see the logic here. What more did Lane Hutson need to do to get the recognition he deserved? I feel confident in saying there were not three players better than Lane Hutson in college hockey this year. Clearly, the Hobey Baker voters disagreed.
As most Habs fans probably remember, Cole Caufield won this award in his second season in the NCAA, so Canadiens fans are not unfamiliar with the Hobey Baker. The good news for Hutson? It sounds as though Hutson will remain in the NCAA for another season after this one, and I don’t suspect Fantilli, Cooley, or Knies to be, so he should be the favorite heading into next season.
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