The NCAA announced the 10 finalists for the 2022 Hobey Baker Award, given annually to the top men’s hockey player in Division 1 on Wednesday.
Hingham, Mass., native Matty Beniers was the only New England-born player to make the final round, but the University of Michigan sophomore and Seattle Kraken prospect carries a lot of notoriety and NHL promise after being drafted one spot after Wolverines teammate Owen Power in 2021 at second overall.
Three other Hobey Baker hopefuls from outside the region who play for New England schools are also in play for the award, as Quebec goaltenders Devon Levi (Northeastern) and Yaniv Perets (Quinnipiac) along with Empire Stater and UMass senior Bobby Trivigno join Beniers in the final 10.
Fans will have a chance to cast ballots for the award before the field is winnowed to three finalists. The Hobey Baker winner will then be announced prior to the Frozen Four championship game, which will be held at TD Garden in Boston April 9.
Matty Beniers, C, Michigan
Why he could win: A winning hockey player who plays the right way and has taken that next step offensively as a sophomore with 19 goals and 40 points in 33 games. Name recognition also plays a role in the selection process, and as a high NHL draft pick who is expected to sign with Seattle after Michigan’s season ends, he’s one of the more recognizable names among the 10.
What is working against him: His 1.21 points-per-game is solid, but he’s well behind other finalists such as the nation’s leading scorer in Denver University junior Bobby Brink (1.53) and second overall Nathan Smith of Minnesota State-Mankato (1.45). Smith was his teammate on the U.S. Olympic team, and they played the exact same number of games (33). Beniers had a tougher schedule competing in the Big Ten versus the WCHA, where Smith played the bulk of his schedule. The Olympics and limited World Jr. Championship play won’t factor into consideration, as the committee will focus on his college hockey achievements.
Prediction: Beniers is swimming upstream as a sophomore going against other upperclassmen with better numbers. He has major name recognition and will likely be skating in NHL areas soon, so he’s got a real shot to make the final 3.
Devon Levi, G, Northeastern
Why he could win: Although an academic sophomore, Levi dominated in his first year of college hockey, winning 21 games and leading the nation in save percentage with a .954, along with 10 shutouts and a minuscule 1.47 goals-against average. Levi does not possess pro size, generously listed at 6-foot, 185 pounds, but he plays like Godzilla in the net, swallowing up shots and playing with the kind of elite quickness and focus that used to rule NHL creases in decades past. He was instrumental in helping Northeastern capture the school’s first-ever Hockey East regular season title, and provides the Huskies with a major presence in net.
What is working against him: To be honest, there’s not much, but he’s only played one year of college hockey and has a smaller body of work than the other nominees.
Prediction: Levi will be a finalist. The Buffalo Sabres prospect’s eye-popping numbers, poise, and ability to play big in his net all season long, while earning the respect of his teammates makes him the embodiment for the award.
Bobby Trivigno, LW, UMass
Why he could win: After being a key piece of the 2021 NCAA championship won by the Minutemen, the Setauket, N.Y., product had his best year in Amherst. His 45 points and 1.32 points per game are fifth in the nation, and he has some room to keep climbing the ladder. The diminutive 5-foot-8, 152-pounder plays with pace, skill and smarts.
What is working against him: He’s a similar player to Denver’s Brink in terms of style and substance, but doesn’t have the same level of production. Trivigno is a candidate to sign in the NHL as an undrafted free agent, but not having a pro fan base to support him in the fan balloting means that the UMass supporters will have to stage a rally for him.
Prediction: He will be close and has the bona fides to be a finalist, but may fall short of the final three.
Yaniv Perets, G, Quinnipiac
Why he could win: The 6-foot-1, 190-pound sophomore was just named the ECAC’s Player of the Year after his 20 wins, 0.89 GAA and stopping 95.2 percent of the shots he faced, along with a nation-leading 11 shutouts. Statistically, he’s right there with Levi and there is little daylight between the two numbers-wise.
What is working against him: The third goaltender finalist, Dryden McKay of Minnesota State, is a senior who posted 34 wins. His other statistics aren’t as gaudy as that of Perets (and Levi), but he’s been a top performer over all four seasons with the Mavericks, and that will factor into the decision process.
Prediction: He had a tremendous season and deserves to be in the running, but Levi likely has the edge in statistics and with his current status as a NHL prospect, while McKay has the victories and senior status.
Projected Hobey Baker “Hat Trick” Finalists:
- Bobby Brink, Denver: The NCAA’s leading scorer, a second-round Flyers draft choice to boost the fan vote, and the underdog story as a smaller forward who isn’t an explosive skater checks out as a finalist.
- Devon Levi, Northeastern: The numbers don’t lie, and no player makes a more compelling case for MVP than he does.
- Dryden McKay, Minnesota State (Mankato): With 34 wins, he’s persevered as a senior and been a consistent performer over his four years in a top program.
Dark horses: Matty Beniers, Michigan; Bobby Trivigno, UMass.
