Michigan’s TJ Hughes, Max Plante of Minnesota-Duluth and Denver’s Eric Pohlkamp were named Hobey Baker Hat Trick Finalists on Thursday.
The award winner, given to collegiate hockey’s top player, will be announced on Apr. 10.
And your 2026 Hobey Baker Memorial Award Hat Trick Finalists are.... @drinkbodyarmor #hobeybaker pic.twitter.com/Mb9WmTte6Z
— Hobey Baker Award (@HobeyBakerAward) April 2, 2026
A 24-year-old native of Hamilton, Ont., Hughes and the top-ranked Wolverines are set to play Denver in the Frozen Four next week. Hughes appeared in 39 games this season, his senior year, recording 21 goals and 35 assists. The Michigan captain, Hughes has 178 points in 155 games over his four seasons. Hughes is looking to become the fourth Michigan player to claim the award and first since Adam Fantilli in 2023.
Plante, 20, is the son of Stanley Cup-winning winger Derek Plante, who appeared in 450 games over nine NHL seasons with the Buffalo Sabres, Dallas Stars, Chicago Blackhawks and Philadelphia Flyers. Playing for his hometown Bulldogs, Plante had 25 goals and 25 assists in 40 games this season, his sophomore campaign. The 47th overall selection of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft by the Detroit Red Wings, Plante suited up for the United States at the past two IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships, winning gold in 2025. A Minnesota-Duluth player has won the award on six prior occasions, most recently by Scott Perunovich in 2022.
A native of Brainerd, MN, the 22-year-old Pohlkamp was taken in the fifth-round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft by the San Jose Sharks. Pohlkamp has 18 goals and 21 assists in 41 games this season, his junior year and second with the Pioneers. A defenceman, Pohlkamp has helped Denver reach the Frozen Four for the first time. Pohlkamp played for the U.S. at the 2024 World Juniors. Pioneers players have won the Hobey Baker twice before - Will Butcher in 2017 and Matt Carle in 2006.
Last year’s winner was Michigan State winger Isaac Howard, now in his rookie season with the Edmonton Oilers.
