Hobey Baker Finalists Announced

The 2026 Hobey Baker Finalists have been announced. Many likely expected top draft prospect forward Gavin McKenna to make the cut, but he did not. The finalists are T.J. Hughes from Michigan, Max Plante from Minnesota-Duluth, who had their season ended last weekend by Michigan, and Eric Pohlkamp from Denver, who will face Michigan in the Frozen Four.

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T.J. Hughes

Hughes is an undrafted player playing for an ELC when Michigan’s season comes to an end. In 39 games, this season, has 56 points on 21 goals and 35 assists. He’s a +15with five power-play goals and four game-winning goals. He’s second in the country in points, tenth in goals, and third in assists.

Max Plante

Plante has his rights owned by the Detroit Red Wings. Detroit drafted him 47th overall in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. In 40 games this season, he had 52 points on 25 goals and 27 assists. He’s a +19 with eight power-play goals, two shorthanded goals, and six game-winning goals. He was also an assistant captain for Team USA in the WJC, where in three games he had a goal and was a minus-three. He’s third in the country in points, fourth in goals, 15th in assists. and tied for eighth in power-play goals.

Eric Pohlkamp

Pohlkamp is one of the finalists as a defenseman whose rights are owned by the San Jose Sharks. The Sharks drafted him 132nd overall in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. In 41 games, he has 39 points on 18 goals and 21 assists. He’s a +25 with six power-play goals, a shorthanded goal, and three game-winning goals.

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