BU’s Celebrini: Hobey Baker candidate

The accolades are rolling in for Boston University freshman Macklin Celebrini.

On Wednesday morning, the forward was named Hockey East Rookie of the Year, as well as the league’s Player of the Year to become just the fourth player in the 40-year history of the league to win both in the same season, joining BU’s Jack Eichel (2014-15), Maine’s Paul Kariya (1992-93), and Boston College’s Brian Leetch (1986-87).

BC’s Greg Brown was named the conference’s Coach of the Year after the Eagles (295-1, 20-3-1) clinched their 18th regular-season title, becoming the first team to win 20 games in conference play since BC won 20 of 27 in 2010-11, and the most since Maine won 22 in 1992-93.

A few hours later, Celebrini was listed as one of the 10 candidates for the Hobey Baker Award as the nation’s top player. Other finalists with local connections included his teammate, defenseman Lane Hutson, BC forwards Cutter Gauthier and Will Smith of Lexington, Holy Cross forward Liam McLinskey, and Quinnipiac forward Collin Graf, a native of Lincoln.

The youngest player in college hockey at 17, Celebrini is second in the nation in goals (30), third in points (55) and shots (158), and fourth in power-play goals (11).

He leads all rookies in goals, shots, and power-play goals, and is tied for eighth with three game-winning tallies. His 30 goals are the most by a BU player since Chris Drury scored 38 in 1996-97.

Also on the Hobey Baker list are North Dakota forward Jackson Blake, Denver forward Jack Devine, Wisconsin goalie Kyle McClellan, and Minnesota State forward Sam Morton.

The Hobey Baker field will be whittled to three finalists on April 4, with the winner to be announced on Friday, April 12, during the Frozen Four weekend in St. Paul.