General | 4/11/2025 7:11:14 PM

Isaac Howard (NTDP, Michigan State) was announced as the recipient of the Hobey Baker Memorial Award, marking the sixth consecutive season that a USHL alum has earned college hockey’s top honor, and Jacob Fowler (Youngstown Phantoms, Boston College) was named the Mike Richter Award winner as the most outstanding goalie in Division I college hockey.

Additionally, 20 USHL alumni were named American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) All-Americans, including nine on First Teams.
In his junior year, Howard led the Spartans with 52 points in 37 games with 26 goals and 26 assists. He scored the second-most goals in the NCAA and registered the third-most points (52). Prior to his collegiate career, the Wisconsin native and Tampa Bay Lightning prospect played two seasons with the NTDP where he registered 27 goals and 43 assists from 2020-22.  

Fowler went 25-7-2 for the Eagles this season, posting a 1.63 goals-against average, second best in the NCAA, .940 save percentage, third best in the NCAA, and seven shutouts, second-most in the NCAA. Fowler was 38-13-4 with a 2.25 goals-against average and .923 save percentage in two seasons with the Phantoms. 

Each year, the Hobey Baker Award is presented to the player who best exemplifies strength of character on and off the ice, contributes to the integrity of the game, and displays outstanding skills in all phases of play. Eight of the last 10 Hobey Baker winners played in the USHL, including the last five: Macklin Celebrini (2024, Boston University, Chicago Steel), Adam Fantilli (2023, Michigan, Chicago Steel), Dryden McKay (2022, Minnesota State, Madison Capitols), Cole Caufield (2021, Wisconsin, NTDP), and Scott Perunovich (2020, Minnesota Duluth, Cedar Rapids RoughRiders).

Zeev Buium (NTDP/Denver) and Ryan Leonard (NTDP/Boston College) were named Hobey Baker Hat Trick finalists alongside Howard. Seven of the top 10 finalists for this year’s Hobey Baker Award and three of the top four finalists for the Mike Richter Award were USHL alumni. Cole Hutson (NTDP, Boston University) was named the Tim Taylor Rookie of the Year by the Hockey Commissioners Association. He has 47 points in 38 total games ahead of Boston University's matchup with Western Michigan in the National Championship on April 12. 

Instituted in 2014, the Mike Richter Award recognizes the most outstanding goalie in Division I Hockey. USHL alumni have won more than half the honors with Zane McIntyre (North Dakota, Fargo Force), Thatcher Demko (Boston College, Omaha Lancers), Cale Morris (Notre Dame, Chicago Steel/Waterloo Black Hawks), Cayden Primeau (Northeastern, Lincoln Stars), Jeremy Swayman (Maine, Sioux Falls Stampede) and Kyle McClellan (Wisconsin, Omaha Lancers) all receiving the honor as the most outstanding goalie in Division I college hockey.

First Team East
Jacob Fowler, G, Boston College, Youngstown Phantoms
Cole Hutson, D, Boston University, NTDP
Ryan Leonard, F, Boston College, NTDP
Ayrton Martino, F, Clarkson, Omaha Lancers
Cole O’Hara, F, UMass, Tri-City Storm
 
First Team West
Trey Augustine, G, Michigan State, NTDP
Zeev Buium, D, Denver, NTDP
Sam Rinzel, D, Minnesota, Waterloo Black Hawks
Alex Bump, F, Western Michigan, Omaha Lancers/Tri-City Storm
Jack Devine, F, Denver, NTDP
Isaac Howard, F, Michigan State, NTDP
 
Second Team West
Alex Tracy, G, Minnesota State, Sioux City Musketeers
Matt Basgall, D, Michigan State, Omaha Lancers/Tri-City Storm
Jake Livanavage, D, North Dakota, Chicago Steel
Artem Shlaine, F, Arizona State, Muskegon Lumberjacks
Jimmy Snuggerud, F, Minnesota, NTDP,
 
Second Team East
Eamon Powell, D, Boston College, NTDP
Trey Taylor, D, Clarkson, Youngstown Phantoms
Joey Muldowney, F, Des Moines Buccaneers
Gabe Perreault, F, Boston College, NTDP
 
About the USHL

The United States Hockey League and its 16 member clubs are committed to being the leading 16–20-year-old junior hockey league in the world. More than half of Division I men’s hockey roster spots are held by USHL alumni and more than 195 alumni were listed on NHL rosters at the start of the 2024-25 season.

The league's player-first approach, including a 2:1 practice-to-game ratio and a schedule with 92% of games played on weekends, provides its players with the optimal environment for athletic and personal growth, creating pathways for the next generation of stars like Kyle Connor (Youngstown Phantoms), Macklin Celebrini (Chicago Steel), Cole Caufield (NTDP), Adam Fantilli (Chicago Steel) and Jeremy Swayman (Sioux Falls Stampede). More.