Isaac Howard, a promising forward for the Tampa Bay Lightning, recently received the Hobey Baker Memorial Award for 2025. At just 21, Howard is a junior at Michigan State and was recognized as the top men’s player in NCAA ice hockey, beating out stiff competition from Boston College’s Ryan Leonard and Denver’s Zeev Buium.
This win made Howard the third player from Michigan State to earn this prestigious honor, following Kip Miller in 1990 and Ryan Miller in 2001. After the award ceremony in St. Louis, he expressed his gratitude: “It’s an incredible honor. When my name was called, it was super exciting.” He highlighted that this award reflects a great season and spoke fondly about his transition to Michigan State. Howard led the team with 52 points, scoring 26 goals and providing 26 assists over 37 games, placing him fifth overall in the NCAA.
His impressive performance earned him the title of Big Ten Player of the Year, marking his second year with the Spartans after transferring from Minnesota Duluth. Howard’s 26 goals this season are the highest for a Michigan State player since Sean Berens scored 36 goals back in 1998. He also accumulated the most points in a single season since Shawn Horcoff achieved 65 points over 20 years ago.
Looking ahead, Howard is eager to return for his senior year, with his sights set on a national championship. “I want to win a national championship. I didn’t play to win a Hobey. We’ve got to be ready and not leave anything on the table,” he said. Unfortunately, Michigan State faced an early exit from the NCAA Tournament, losing 4-3 to Cornell in the first round.
Meanwhile, fellow finalist Ryan Leonard, who was picked eighth overall in the 2023 NHL Draft, is making waves in the NHL. He signed with the Washington Capitals and scored his first NHL goal in just his third game. Leonard had a standout college season, becoming the first NCAA player since Cam Atkinson to record back-to-back 30-goal seasons. He also captained the U.S. team to a gold medal at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship.
On the other hand, Zeev Buium, a standout defenseman at Denver, currently leads the NCAA in points among defensemen. He was named the National Collegiate Hockey Conference Player of the Year and made waves with the U.S. team at the World Juniors, contributing six points and averaging over 25 minutes of ice time per game.
This year’s Hobey Baker Award highlights not just personal achievements but also the competitive landscape of college hockey, where talent is thriving. With players like Howard, Leonard, and Buium showcasing their skills, the future of hockey looks bright.
For more insights into the Hobey Baker Award and statistics from NCAA hockey, you can visit the [NCAA official website](http://www.ncaa.com).
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