The Oilers just acquired the 2025 Hobey Baker Award winner!

In a season that will be remembered for brilliance, leadership, and unrelenting consistency, Isaac Howard has officially earned the title of the best player in college hockey.

The standout forward from Michigan State University was named the 2025 Hobey Baker Award winner, capping off a spectacular junior season that saw him dominate in all facets of the game — scoring, skating, and shining under pressure. Howard beat out fellow finalists Cutter Gauthier (Boston College) and Lane Hutson (Boston University) to win college hockey’s most prestigious individual honor.

It’s the latest milestone in a career that continues to trend toward stardom — and the NHL is already on notice.

Isaac Howard’s Hobey Baker résumé reads like a checklist for greatness.

• Games played: 39
• Goals: 27
• Assists: 39
• Points: 66
• Game-Winning Goals: 5
• Power-Play Points: 21
• Plus/Minus: +28

Howard led the NCAA in points per game (1.69), ranked second in assists, and finished top five in goals scored—all while playing a complete 200-foot game. He was the catalyst behind Michigan State’s Frozen Four run, serving as captain and emotional leader in what has become the program’s best season in nearly two decades.

His versatility stood out: he played on the top line, quarterbacked the power play, and killed penalties with relentless energy. Whether burying goals from the left circle or backchecking into the defensive zone, Howard was everywhere.

“I’ve never coached a player who impacts the game in more ways than Isaac,” said MSU head coach Adam Nightingale. “He’s got the skill, sure — but his preparation, leadership, and desire to win? That’s what makes him special.”

Isaac Howard’s path to Hobey Baker glory hasn’t been linear. The Minnesota native first made headlines as a U.S. National Team Development Program star and was a first-round NHL Draft pick in 2022 (No. 31 overall, Tampa Bay Lightning).

After an up-and-down freshman year at Minnesota Duluth, he transferred to Michigan State in 2023. The move raised eyebrows — but it became one of the most important decisions of his life.

In East Lansing, Howard blossomed. Surrounded by a strong locker room culture, elite facilities, and a coaching staff that believed in his growth as a two-way force, Howard evolved from a flashy winger into a complete college hockey weapon.

In 2024–25, everything came together.

He elevated his play every week, thriving against top-tier competition in the Big Ten. He scored against ranked opponents, led dramatic third-period comebacks, and finished the season on a 13-game point streak.

The moment that cemented his Hobey campaign? A jaw-dropping five-point performance (2G, 3A) in the Big Ten Championship against Michigan, followed by a two-goal night in the NCAA Tournament opener.

While his stats are elite, Howard’s game is defined by details.

• Skating: Exceptional edgework, first-step acceleration, and agility in traffic
• Hockey IQ: Elite anticipation and ability to read defenders before they react
• Vision: High-level playmaker with one-touch pass accuracy and PP awareness
• Compete Level: Consistently wins board battles, tracks pucks, and pressures the puck carrier

Howard’s maturity also stands out. As team captain, he held his teammates accountable and never shied away from the media spotlight. He used NIL platforms to advocate for mental health awareness and spent off-ice hours mentoring local youth hockey players in Lansing.

“He’s more than a hockey player,” said linemate Tanner Kelly. “He’s the heartbeat of our team.”

Winning the Hobey Baker is never easy — and this year’s class was loaded.

• Cutter Gauthier (Boston College): The NCAA goals leader and a pure sniper who led BC to the Frozen Four.
• Lane Hutson (Boston University): The most electrifying offensive defenseman in the nation, producing 52 points in 38 games.

But in the end, the Hobey Committee couldn’t ignore Howard’s combination of scoring, leadership, and clutch play.

“He played like a pro,” one voter said. “If you had to win one game this season, you wanted Isaac on your roster.”

The next chapter is the NHL.

Howard has already signed his entry-level contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning, who still retain his rights after drafting him in 2022. He is expected to join the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch for their playoff push before making a strong push for Tampa’s main roster next fall.

Tampa Bay GM Julien BriseBois called Howard’s progression “remarkable.”

“He made the leap we hoped for and more,” BriseBois said. “He’s NHL-ready. We expect him to challenge for a top-nine role in training camp.”

His two-way acumen, special teams ability, and competitive fire make him a strong fit for a Lightning squad looking to infuse youth into a veteran core.

Howard’s Hobey Baker win is historic — the first in Michigan State hockey history. It cements his place among Spartan legends and caps off the program’s most successful stretch since the 2007 national title team.

MSU’s hockey resurgence is no longer a secret. With Nightingale at the helm, a strong incoming freshman class, and national respect back in full force, Howard’s Hobey could be just the start of something even bigger in East Lansing.

Adam Nightingale (MSU Head Coach):
“There’s no one more deserving. He’s been the most complete player in the country and a world-class representative of Michigan State.”

Cutter Gauthier (Finalist):
“Happy for Isaac. He pushed all of us to be better. That’s what great players do.”

Elliotte Friedman (Hockey Night in Canada):
“Howard’s IQ and drive remind me of Dylan Larkin. He’s got the tools to be a productive NHL player very quickly.”

Sarah Nurse (Team Canada):
“Love Isaac’s story — bet on himself with that transfer and worked every day to get here. That’s what makes a champion.”

Howard joins a legendary list of Hobey Baker winners, including:

• Paul Kariya (1993)
• Chris Drury (1998)
• Ryan Miller (2001)
• Johnny Gaudreau (2014)
• Cale Makar (2019)
• Adam Fantilli (2023)

Winning the Hobey is not just a collegiate honor—it’s a springboard to NHL stardom. And for Howard, it’s a moment that validates everything: the transfer, the grind, the vision.

Isaac Howard’s rise is the story every young hockey player dreams of — one where talent meets humility, hard work meets opportunity, and results speak louder than hype.

From an overlooked freshman to the top of college hockey, Howard’s journey has been defined by resilience and relentless commitment. He didn’t just win games. He won teammates, fans, and now, the Hobey Baker Award.

As he trades the green and white for the blue and white of Tampa Bay, one thing is certain: Isaac Howard’s story is far from over.

In fact, it may be just beginning.