Macklin Celebrini, the Boston University freshman who’s expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the NHL draft, picked up some hardware on Friday, winning the Hobey Baker Award as the top player in men’s college hockey.
Celebrini, whose Terriers lost 2-1 in overtime to Denver in Thursday’s NCAA Frozen Four semifinals, accepted the award at St. Paul’s RiverCentre.
“This is an honor to receive this award, and I’m really humbled to receive it,” Celebrini said. “It’s surreal. I’m kind of shaking right now.”
The youngest player in college hockey at 17, Celebrini ranks third nationally with 64 points on 32 goals and 32 assists. The Vancouver, British Columbia, native was the most outstanding player in the NCAA Sioux Falls Regional in leading the Terriers to the Frozen Four.
The other Hobey Hat Trick finalists were North Dakota forward Jackson Blake of Eden Prairie and Boston College sophomore forward Cutter Gauthier.
Blake, who signed with the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday, is tied for fourth nationally with 60 points on 22 goals and 38 assists. He helped the Fighting Hawks win the NCHC regular-season title and advance to the NCAA tournament.
Gauthier, of Scottsdale, Ariz., ranks second nationally with 65 points on a nation’s-best 38 goals plus 27 assists. He can add to that total on Saturday, when the Eagles meet Denver in the NCAA championship game.
Celebrini also won the Tim Taylor Rookie of the Year Award.