Michigan State's Isaac Howard, a standout junior forward, captured the prestigious Hobey Baker Award, recognizing him as the best player in college hockey. At just 21 years old, Howard led the nation with an impressive average of 1.41 points per game. This accolade makes him the first Spartan to win since Ryan Miller in 2001, solidifying his place in the school's history. With 52 points from 26 goals and 26 assists in 37 games, he played a pivotal role in guiding Michigan State to both the Big Ten regular season and conference tournament titles.

Howard triumphed over finalists Zeev Buium from Denver and Ryan Leonard of Boston College, the latter already making waves in the NHL with the Washington Capitals. In related honors, Boston College's Jacob Fowler secured the Mike Richter Award as the top goalie, showcasing his exceptional skills with a .940 save percentage. As the NCAA Frozen Four approaches, the spotlight remains on Howard and his potential future in the NHL.