Macklin Celebrini named as 2024 Hobey Hat Trick finalist
Macklin Celebrini is a Hobey finalist.
Celebrini, the consensus No. 1 pick for the 2024 NHL Draft, was announced to the Hobey Hat Trick on Thursday as one of three finalists for the Hobey Baker Award as the top player in men’s college hockey. The 17-year-old freshman has 64 points (32 goals, 32 assists) in 37 games — both the second-highest points-per-game mark and overall total in the NCAA. He has 12 power-play goals and four game-winning goals amongst his totals.
“As a 17-year-old in the NCAA, it would have been easy to see Celebrini get pushed around and willed out of games by older and larger opponents, but that’s not what happened,” FCHockey crossover scout Brandon Holmes said.
“Celebrini was one of the most dominant scorers in college hockey this year, showing a well-rounded dual-threat game that allowed him to put up the highest point total by a U18 NCAA skater since the 1980’s. Celebrini crushed any doubt there was that his game could translate to higher levels of play with more structure and bigger opponents, and showed himself to be a true elite offensive talent.”
Celebrini, the youngest player in the NCAA, has helped Boston University into the Frozen Four later this month.
He has already been named Hockey East Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year, named to Hockey East First Team, All Rookie Team, and is the 2023-24 Hockey East Scoring Champion.
Celebrini is a finalist alongside Anaheim Ducks prospect forward Cutter Gauthier and Carolina Hurricanes prospect forward Jackson Blake.
The Hobey Baker Award winner will be announced on Friday, April 12, 2024 during the NCAA Men’s Frozen Four.