The Hobey Baker Memorial Award Committee announced today the 2021 recipient of college hockey’s top individual prize is Cole Caufield from the University of Wisconsin. The announcement came during a live broadcast on NHL Network and hobeybaker.com.

Known as a prolific scorer, Caufield soared to the top of the national scoring charts, leading the nation in total points, producing 30 goals and 22 assists for 52 points in 31 games. Additionally, he led the nation in a multitude of key offensive categories: most goals, averaging almost a goal per game; most power play points (24); most power play goals (11); most shots on goal (165); most shots per game (average 5.3 shots per game); and averaging 1.68 points per game.

In the eight-year history of the Big Ten hockey conference, Caufield became the first player to win back-to-back scoring titles and was honored as the Big Ten’s Player of the Year and First Team all-conference. The sophomore forward from Stevens Point, Wisconsin finished his Badger career with a flurry, recording 15 multiple point games in his final 18 contests. Even in Wisconsin’s 6-3 loss to Bemidji in the opening game of the recent Bridgeport NCAA Regional, Cole chipped in with two goals and an assist while pounding out 13 shots on goal.

Caufield becomes the second Wisconsin Badger to win the Hobey after Blake Geoffrion in 2010. Caufield played for Team USA for each of the past two World Junior championships and helped them to a gold medal in 2021. He has also represented his county in an additional six international tournaments, including tying Alexander Ovechkin’s tournament goal-scoring record of 14 goals at the 2019 IIHF Under-18 World Championship in Sweden. As a two-year member of the U.S. National Team Development Program, he shattered goal-scoring records for single-season (Auston Matthews – 55) and career goals (Phil Kessel – 104) with 72 and 126, respectively. Cole has an older brother Brock who also plays for the Wisconsin Badgers.

• Finished his season with 30 goals, 22 assists for 52 points in 31 games
• Averaged 1.68 points per game to lead the nation
• Led the nation with 24 power play points and 11 power play goals
• Montreal draft (1st round – 15th overall) –
• Signed a pro contract after the season

For two straight years, McKay is a Hobey Baker and Mike Richter Award top ten finalist, making the final three for each this past season. For the second straight campaign, he has posted a national best 10 shutouts, and his three-year body of work totals 24 shutouts – second all-time in NCAA history (Hobey 2001 winner Ryan Miller holds the record with 26). McKay backstopped the Mavericks to a second straight WCHA regular season title and helped guide them to their first ever appearance at the NCAA Frozen Four. The WCHA rewarded him as Player of the Year, Goalie of the Year and First Team all-conference.

He is a coaches’ dream – a responsible, competitive 200-foot player, Pinto helped guide the Fighting Hawks to NCHC regular season and playoff titles. While winning the conference regular season scoring title, Pinto was honored with numerous league awards: Player of the Year, Forward of the Year, Defensive Forward of the Year and First Team all-conference. Dangerous in the faceoff circle, he won 61.9% of faceoffs, fifth best in the nation. His expertise on the power play saw him ranked top five nationally in both power play points and goals (7-7 for 14 points). Pinto finished the season tied for ninth in the nation in scoring and tied for seventh in goals.

A highly skilled power forward, Boldy has helped the Eagles to a #1 national ranking heading into their Hockey East semi-final game. He was second in the conference in scoring this past season and led the nation with three short-handed goals. Boldy is finishing the season on a fabulous scoring pace, picking up five goals and seven assists in the last seven games.

A repeat top ten candidate from last year, Farrance has continued his strong offensive flair on defense, earning him a second straight First Team Hockey East honor. Appearing in 10 of the Terriers 15 games played, he still managed 16 total points to tie for the team lead. His average of 1.6 points per game led all defensemen in the nation and is third overall.

Known as a fast powerful centerman, Holloway has had a terrific season. Sitting with 34 points in just 22 games, he’s tied for fourth in the nation in scoring and tied for fourth in assists. Named First Team all-conference in the Big Ten, he was honored as national player of the month for February when he collected 17 points in eight games.

Coaches like calm, measured goaltenders and Knight fits the bill perfectly. In 11 of his 19 starts, he has held opponents to two goals or less, earning him a fantastic 16-2-1 record. Several Hockey East awards have followed including: Player of the Year, Goalie of the Year and First Team all-conference. Knight is tied for second in the nation in saves percentage.

Referred to as the epitome of consistency, LaFontaine led the Big Ten conference in all key goaltending categories and was named Goalie of the Year and First Team all-conference. He’s allowed two or less in 21 of his 27 starts this season and posted five shutouts, second best in the nation. After securing the Big Ten playoff title, he’s third in the nation in goals against average, fourth in save percentage and first in wins.

At 6’5, Petruzzelli fills the net but his sound positioning makes him one of the nation’s best goalies. He’s fourth in the nation in goals against average and tied for first in games played, having started all 27 of the Bobcats games. The ECAC named him Goalie of the Year, First Team all-conference and a finalist for Player of the Year.

Possessing an amazing skill set, Tufto has been a wizard on faceoffs winning a national best 63% of his draws. Not only that, the playmaker extraordinaire has had four straight 30-point seasons and is presently second in the nation in scoring and first in assists. The ECAC named him Player of the Year and First Team all-conference.