No. 11 Arizona State hockey nominates three players for Hobey Baker Award

Arizona State hockey is one of the hottest programs in the sport right now, rising to the No. 11 national ranking after winning 12 of its last 13 games played. The Sun Devils roster is loaded with incredible talent, including three NHL draft selections.

At the halfway point of the regular season, college hockey teams are nominating players to be considered for end-of-season awards, the most prestigious of which is the Hobey Baker Memorial Award. The trophy is awarded to the most outstanding individual player of the year, essentially the hockey equivalent of football’s Heisman Trophy.

ASU nominated three players, two forwards and a defenseman, to be considered for the honor by voters. Senior Ryan Kirwan, junior Bennett Schmeck and graduate Noah Beck will join the list and members of the media can choose from it until the end of the season. are

What is the Hobie Baker Award? Meet the three ASU nominees.

The Hobey Baker Memorial Award has been given in honor of his namesake and legacy since 1981, recognizing the most outstanding amateur hockey player in America. Past winners include current NHL standouts and former NCAA national champions such as Maclin Celebrini (2024), Adam Fantelli (2023) and Cole Caufield (2021).

Forward Ryan Kirwan (14G, 7A, 21P)

DeWitt, a senior from New York, has been an offensive powerhouse for the Sun Devils this season. His 14 red lights lead the team by a country mile, thanks to his clutch hat trick against then-No. 16 Cornell in the Desert Hockey Classic final.

Forward Bennett Schmeck (8g, 13a, 21p)

The junior from Mendota Heights, Minnesota is the only Sun Devil who comes close to Kirwan in goals and points, most recently twin Dante compared to then-No. 14 North Dakota. Schmeck has picked up points in five of his last six contests played, failing to get on the scoresheet just six times so far this season.

Defenseman Noah Beck (4G, 18A, 22P)

The graduate transfer from Clarkson leads the team in points and has been an assist machine from the blue line. Beck has recorded multiple points seven times this year, including a goal and an assist against then-No. 8 Colorado College. His knack for finding teammates in scoring positions has paid off big time as the squad sits atop the NCHC standings in his first year as a member.