DENVER – Junior defensemen
Boston Buckberger and
Eric Pohlkamp of the University of Denver hockey team have been nominated for the 2026 Hobey Baker Award, given annually to the top player in college hockey.
The two DU defenders are among 18 players in the NCHC and 87 nationally that are up for this year's honor. The award will be announced on April 10 during the NCAA Frozen Four festivities in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Pohlkamp leads all NCAA defensemen and ranks tied for eighth among all skaters in the country with a career-high 14 goals this season. He is also first among players at his position in total scoring with 25 points, adding 11 assists in 25 games this year.
The Baxter, Minnesota, native took sole possession of ninth place in program history for goals by a D-man in a single season after tallying on Saturday at North Dakota.
Mike Benning was the last Denver blueliner to score more than 13 goals in a season when he netted 15 in 2021-22 and is currently next on the list for Pohlkamp to chase in eighth place.
Additionally, Pohlkamp leads the Pioneers in both goals, points and shots (115), ranks second in power-play goals (3-tied), power-play points (3g/4a-tied), game-winning goals (2-tied) and plus/minus rating (+12-tied) and is tied for third in assists (11).
Buckberger is on pace for career highs in all three scoring categories this season through 25 contests, as he's recorded seven goals and 14 assists for 21 points, ranking second behind Pohlkamp on the team. He has registered 10 points in the past 11 contests (4g/6a) and recorded points in 13 of the last 18 games dating back to Nov. 1 (7g/11a).
The Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, native recorded five goals in a five-game stretch from Nov. 14-29, which included a career-long, three-game streak from Nov. 14-21. It was the second time this season that a Denver D-man had tallied in three straight games, as he joined his defensive partner Pohlkamp, who did it in four straight from Nov. 1-14. He recorded his first career multi-goal game on Nov. 29 against Minnesota in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game at Ball Arena, including the tying marker in the final 23 seconds to force overtime.
Buckberger leads Denver in both power-play goals (4) and points (4g/6a), as well as plus-minus rating (+15). He is also tied for first with Pohlkamp and
Clarke Caswell in game-winning goals (2).
The Hobey Baker Award is given to the recipient that exhibits the exceptional character traits shown by the award's namesake, Hobey Baker. A legendary American hero, Baker was a World War I fighter pilot and was known as America's greatest amateur athlete in his day, excelling at hockey and football at Princeton University. Award candidates must demonstrate strength of character both on and off the ice, contribute to the integrity of his team and display outstanding skills in all phases of the game. Consideration should be given to scholastic achievement and sportsmanship, as well.
The annual first round of fan voting begins today, Jan. 21 and takes into account a percentage of the total ballot. Fans can cast their vote by visiting
https://www.hobeybaker.com/vote.
The top 10 finalists will be announced on March 18 and the three Hobey Hat Trick finalists will be named on April 2. The award will be presented on April 11 at the Frozen Four during a nationally-broadcast event on NHL Network. A second round of fan balloting is set for March 18-29 after the top-10 finalists are determined.
Each school was allowed to nominate up to three players for the award, while a committee ultimately votes on and selects the Hobey Baker Award finalists and winner.
The Pioneers have had two previous Hobey Baker Award winners in
Matt Carle in 2006 and
Will Butcher in 2017. Current NHLers'
Zeev Buium (2025) and
Boby Brink (2022) were Hobey Hat Trick Finalists from Denver over the past five years.
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