Colorado Avalanche Prospect Cale Makar Wins Hobey Baker Award

Colorado Avalanche defensive prospect, Cale Makar, earned top collegiate hockey honors when he was awarded the Hobey Baker Award.

The Colorado Avalanche’s top prospect, Cale Makar, won the Hobey Baker Award as the top NCAA men’s ice hockey player. Makar is the 39th Division 1 player to earn that award.

The 20-year-old defenseman, playing for the University of Massachusetts Minutemen, has been achieving a lot of success since the Avalanche drafted him in the 2017 NHL Draft. In 40 games with UMass this season, he recorded 49 points (16 goals, 33 assists) in 40 games so far. Last season as a freshman, he earned 21 points (5 goals, 6 assists) in 34 games.

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The UMass Amherst hockey program is not seen as being as prestigious as some other Division 1 schools, such as the University of North Dakota and Harvard University. In fact, the program looked to Makar, the highest draft pick the program has ever attracted, to lead it into the upper echelons.

Makar has done just that. Along with his teammates, of course, Cale led the team to its second-ever NCAA Tournament appearance, first-ever Frozen Four appearance, and now first-ever National Championship game.

En route to the Hobey Baker Award, Makar has been collecting other honors. He was honored as a CCM/AHCA Hockey All-American. He was named the Hockey East Player of the Year, by unanimous selection. He was named to the 2019 NCAA Ice Hockey Northeast Regional All-Tournament Team, and even named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player.

Cale Makar was also named to the All-Hockey East 35th Anniversary Team, which is comprised of the league’s top 35 forwards and top 35 defenders all-time. Olympian, All Star, Stanley Cup winner Jonathan Quick is on that team, too.

And now the Hobey Baker. Makar is only the fourth sophomore and seventh defenseman to earn the award. He’s the first-ever to come from UMass. Makar won over two other defensemen, Jimmy Schuldt of St. Cloud State and Adam Fox of Harvard. He said of the honor:

"“It’s a great honor to be the one picked for this award. Anyone of these guys could’ve easily have won the award. Three defensemen as finalists is pretty cool.”"

His UMass coach, Greg Carvel, gushed about his player:

"“It has been an honor and a pleasure coaching Cale Makar, a very worthy Hobey Baker winner. His hockey ability, combined with his high character and leadership abilities brought UMass hockey to prominence and he will forever be one of the greatest to wear the Minutemen jersey. I want to thank Cale on behalf of our staff, administration and team for being such a tremendous teammate and helping build a culture that will remain the foundation of UMass hockey for years to come.”"

Makar and the Minutemen defeated the local Denver University Pioneers in overtime last night to make it to the National Championship game. They’ll take on the reigning champs, Minnesota Duluth. The game is at 6 pm MT on ESPN2.

UMass made a touching video about Cale:

#HobeyHasMoreCale #NewMass | #Flagship 🚩 pic.twitter.com/LuPJ1JG6WH
— UMass Hockey (@UMassHockey) April 12, 2019

It’s largely thought Makar will turn pro with the Colorado Avalanche immediately after his game is over on Saturday. Many fans and sports writers even think he’ll sign his contract and suit up for the Avalanche’s Monday playoff game.

I’m a little more cautious. Because he’s already 20, playing even one game with Colorado burns a year off his entry-level contract. The Avs will then have to protect him in the expansion draft.

I also just think the 20-year-old might like to return to UMass with his teammates and celebrate the amazing weekend and overall season he’s had with his friends. People need time to reflect sometimes, and Makar earned his chance to take a breather before taking the next step in his career.

Regardless, Makar will be with the Colorado Avalanche soon enough. In the meantime, a hearty congratulations on his well-deserved honors.