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Michigan State head coach Adam Nightingale: ‘His inner drive to be great is unique'

Trey Augustine, Max Plante and other top NHL prospects are also in line for the award.

Lightning forward prospect beats out Boston College wing Leonard, Denver defenseman Buium

St. Louis — Isaac Howard will have a hard time topping this season coming back for his senior year. That's because he ended it with college hockey's highest honor. After a career-best season that helped lead Michigan State to the top of the Big Ten, Howard took home the Hobey Baker Award Friday night at St. Louis' Stifel Theatre. Howard was one of three finalists in the Hobey Hat Trick, alongside Boston College forward Ryan Leonard and Denver defenseman Zeev Buium. From Hudson, Wis., Howard started his college career at Minnesota-Duluth, before transferring to Michigan State as a sophomore, reuniting with former U.S. National Team Development Program coach Adam Nightingale. Before he ever played a game in East Lansing, he had to recover from heart surgery to treat a defect found when he joined the Spartans. He never missed a game, putting up 36 points as a sophomore — more than double his previous production. This season as a junior, Howard finished the year with 26 goals (third in NCAA) and 52 points (fifth) in 37 games played. His 1.41 points per game led the country. Named Big Ten player of the year, Howard played an integral part in Michigan State's run to back-to-back Big Ten regular season and tournament championships, scoring the double overtime winner to beat Ohio State in this year's title game. Howard will return to Michigan State to play his senior year, The Detroit News confirmed earlier this week, after attempting to negotiate a contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning who drafted him 31st overall in the 2022 NHL Draft. More: ‘Magic players’ lift Western Michigan to double-OT triumph over Denver in Frozen Four Two Michigan State players have won the Hobey Baker: forward Kip Miller in 1990 and goaltender Ryan Miller in 2001. Among 2025's other award winners, Boston College goaltender Jacob Fowler won the Mike Richter Award as goaltender of the year, beating three other finalists including Michigan State's Trey Augustine, Maine's Albin Boija and Minnesota State's Alex Tracy. Michigan defenseman Jacob Truscott won the Derek Hines Unsung Hero Award. The Hobey Baker Legend of College Hockey Award went to longtime New Hampshire coach Dick Umile. St. Lawrence forward Sarah Thompson won the Hockey Humanitarian Award in her third nomination for the honor. Boston University defenseman Cole Hutson took home Tim Taylor Rookie of the Year. Three Michigan State players earned All-American honors this season: first-team selections Howard and Augustine, and second-team selection defenseman Matt Basgall. This is the Spartans' first season with multiple All-American hockey players since 1999. cearegood@detroitnews.com @ConnorEaregood Want to comment on this story? Become a subscriber today. Click here. This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: MSU's Isaac Howard wins Hobey Baker as top college hockey player

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University of Minnesota Duluth forward Max Plante was named the 2026 Hobey Baker Award winner on Friday. Plante beat out University of Denver defenceman Eric Pohlkamp and University of Michigan forward T.J. Hughes for the honours.