Hobey Baker Watch: Week 5
With just three weeks to go before college hockey’s winter break, the Hobey Baker race is starting to take shape. Here are a few players who are among the best in college hockey so far this year:
Cooper Marody, F, Michigan
After a disappointing start to his junior year, Marody turned a switch at the end of October in a series against Penn State, scoring six points in two games against the Nittany Lions.
Marody started the season with one point in his first four games. Since then, he has scored multiple points in all of Michigan’s eight games.
The Philadelphia Flyers’ draft pick has become the Wolverines’ No. 1 playmaker. He has 16 assists this season, with 15 of them coming in his last eight games. In terms of goal-scoring, Marody has scored four times this year. His goal-scoring can definitely get better, but his playmaking is what sets him apart.
Marody has soared to the top of the scoring ranks. Right now, Marody is on an absolute tear and is fourth in the nation with 20 points. Look out for Marody to keep piling up the assists and stay near the top of the scoring charts.
Colt Conrad, F, Western Michigan
Conrad blazed out of the gates this season with a four-point game in Western Michigan’s first game of the year against Ferris State.
The junior forward is one of the biggest reasons for No. 11 Western Michigan’s climb up the rankings.
He has nine goals and nine assists in 13 games. Conrad has scored in all but two games this year and the balanced scoring bodes well for him going forward. If he has any trouble scoring goals, he will still be able to set up his teammates and continue picking up points.
Western Michigan’s ascension up the rankings will keep Conrad in the spotlight for the rest of the season and everyone will be watching to see if he remains one of the nation’s top scorers. If he can keep up with the rest of the top scorers in the country, there is no reason he shouldn’t be considered for the Hobey Baker.
Dylan McLaughlin, F, Canisius
McLaughlin has been impressive this year for the Griffins, totaling 18 points on seven goals and 11 assists.
The junior has been pretty consistent too. He has only been held off the score sheet once all season and tallied multiple points six times in 11 games for Canisius. McLaughlin has three power play goals for the Griffins this year and has only taken one minor penalty all season, so he should continue to log a decent amount of minutes.
His best game of the year came in a 7-3 shellacking of Mercyhurst on November 11. In that game, McLaughlin netted a hat trick and added an assist for good measure.
Canisius is not included in the rankings at the moment, so McLaughlin may not start to get recognized unless the Griffins can open some eyes as a team. At 6-4-1, they have played well and if they keep winning, McLaughlin has a good chance to become a part of the Hobey Baker conversation.
Josh Starr is a freshman majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email joshlstarr16@gmail.com.
