Howard has had a standout junior season in the green and white. He was named First Team All-Big Ten, Big Ten Player of the Year and Big Ten Scoring Champion. In the Big Ten Tournament Championship, he delivered the game-winning goal in double overtime and posted a four-point performance. The junior recorded 26 goals and 26 assists in his second season at MSU.

Though Howard’s return to the team is impending, according to Elite Prospects, the forward is seeking a contract with his drafted team, the Tampa Bay Lightning. Due to cap space, the team could wait until they start their playoff run to sign the young star as the cap space is unlimited during the NHL playoffs. Spartan fans could see Howard in a blue and white jersey as early as mid-April.

Buium was one of just two defensemen among the Hobey Baker top 10. The Minnesota Wild’s 2024 first-round pick (No. 12 overall), Buium has tallied 13 goals and 35 assists in his sophomore season. He sealed Denver’s regional final win over Boston College with an empty-net goal. This marks his second straight season as a Hobey Baker nominee.

Leonard finished his sophomore season with 30 goals and 19 assists. His run in the NCAA Tournament came to an end at the hands of the Pioneers by a final score of 3-1. But the Massachusetts native made his way to TD Garden in Boston to make his NHL debut with the Washington Capitals against his hometown team. The sophomore was named the Hockey East Player of the Year and was the 73rd recipient of the Walter Brown award. Leonard was also the captain of Team USA during the IIHF U20 World Juniors Tournament, helping lead the team to back-to-back gold medals.

The winner of the Hobey Baker Memorial Award will be announced on Friday, April 11, at 6 p.m. ET. The ceremony will be streamed live on NHL Network.