Men's Ice Hockey

Sam Morton Named Top 10 Finalist for Hobey Baker

The 2024 Hobey Baker Memorial Award has narrowed its field to the Top 10 Finalists and Minnesota State senior Sam Morton is the lone student-athlete selected from the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA). The award is given annually to the top player in NCAA Division I Men's Hockey. 
 
The CCHA Forward of the Year and Player of the Year, Morton (Lafayette, Colo.) paced all CCHA skaters in goals (15), goals per game (0.63), power-play goals (8), shots (102), face-off wins (292) and face-off wins per game (12.2), during conference play. Adding six assists, he was fourth in points (21) and face-off percentage (56.3%). The CCHA Forward of the Month in January after totaling six goals and three assists for nine points, he had four multi-point games, including three points on three different occasions. He opened the Mavericks’ CCHA schedule with a five-game point streak (six goals, 4 assists) and added a six-game streak in January (4 goals, 2 assists).

In 37 games overall, Morton had 24 goals and 10 assists for 34 points. His nine power-play tallies rank eighth nationally, and he also had one game-winner. Totaling 151 shots on goal, he has blocked 27 shots defensively and won 55.5% of his face-offs (433-of-780). He has nine multi-point games to his credit, with a five and seven-game point streak. The CCHA Player of the Month in January, he paced all conference skaters in goals (6), goals per game (0.75), shots (38), shots per game (4.75), power-play goals (2) and plus-minus (+6).

Morton signed an with the Calgary Flames organization on March 19 and registered an assist in his first professional game for the Calgary Wranglers (AHL).

The "Top 10 Finalists" list includes: Jackson Blake (North Dakota), Macklin Celebrini (Boston University), Jack Devine (University of Denver) Cutter Gauthier (Boston College), Collin Graf (Quinnipiac University), Lane Hutson (Boston University), Kyle McClellan (University of Wisconsin), Liam McLinskey (College of the Holy Cross), Sam Morton (Minnesota State University) and Will Smith (Boston College)
 
Fans can read each student-athletes detailed bios by following the links on each candidate by clicking hobeybaker.com/2024-nominees.
 
Award criteria include candidates exhibiting the exceptional character traits of the award's namesake, Hobey Baker. A legendary American hero, Baker was a World War I fighter pilot and was known as America's greatest amateur athlete in his day, excelling at hockey and football at Princeton University. Award candidates must demonstrate strength of character both on and off the ice, contribute to the integrity of his team and display outstanding skills in all phases of the game. Consideration should be given to scholastic achievement and sportsmanship.

In 2021-22, Mavericks goaltender Dryden McKay became the first player in program history to earn the prestigious honor. 

The announcement of the final three finalists will take place on April 4, with the winner being announced on Friday, April 12. For more information on the award, visit hobeybaker.com.