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MAX PLANTE took home the 2026 Hobey Baker Memorial Award fol- lowing a standout sophomore season at the University of Minnesota Duluth. "It was really a lot like the draft," Plante, a 2024 second-round NHL Draft pick of the Detroit Red Wings, said. "You can't even really believe it. It feels like a dream, but it is your name. When your name is called, you have to stand up, and it was really super special to look around and see my family, and they're all right there. It was really cool." The 20-year-old from Hermantown, Minnesota, led the Bulldogs with 25 goals and 52 points, the most by a Minnesota Duluth player since 2011-12. Plante received numerous awards this season: National Collegiate Hockey Conference Player of the Year, NCHC Forward of the Year, First Team all-conference and College Hockey News Player of the Year. Plante was also a member of the U.S. National Junior Team the last two years, helping the U.S. win gold at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship. The NCHC Scholar-Athlete is a communications major and lends his spare time assisting at youth hockey clinics. The Hobey Baker Award criteria include displaying outstanding skills in all phases of the game, strength of character on and off the ice, sportsmanship, and scholastic achievements. Plante was selected from a group of ten finalists by a 30-member selec- tion committee and online fan balloting. REY AUGUSTINE was named the recipient of the 2026 Mike Richter Award, presented annually to the top goaltender in NCAA Division I men's hockey. "It's an honor and a privilege to receive this award," said Augustine. "So many great goalies before me have achieved this and to be up there with them means a lot." Augustine finished with a 24-9-1 record which included an 11-5-0 record against ranked opponents and a 10-2-0 record against teams ranked in the top five. He set a new career- best with a .929 save percentage on the season, alongside a 2.11 goals-against average and 947 saves. Augustine was a top ten finalist for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award in addition to being named Big Ten Goaltender of the Year and a First Team CCM/AHCA All-American for the second consecutive season. After signing his entry-level contract with the Detroit Red Wings on March 31, Augustine concluded his collegiate career second all-time in Michigan State program history with a .922 career save percentage, fifth all-time in goals-against average (2.40) and sixth in career wins (66) in just three seasons played. Plante Wins The Hobey Baker Award Augustine Wins Mike Richter Award COLLEGE HOCKEY VIDEO: The Hobey Baker Memorial Award Show O F F T HE D R AW PHOTOS BY Getty Images 8 // APRIL 2026 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM USA Hockey National Team Development Program Hobey Baker Memorial Award Winners Year Name School 2001-02 Jordan Leopold University of Minnesota 2005-06 Matt Carle University of Denver 2007-08 Kevin Porter University of Michigan 2009-10 Blake Geoffrion University of Wisconsin 2014-15 Jack Eichel Boston University 2016-17 Will Butcher University of Denver 2020-21 Cole Caufield University of Wisconsin 2024-25 Isaac Howard Michigan State University 2025-26 Max Plante University of Minnesota Duluth