University of Massachusets Athletics
UMass' O'Hara And Suniev Named Candidates For 2025 Hobey Baker Award
January 22, 2025 | Hockey
AMHERST, Mass. – University of Massachusetts junior forward Cole O'Hara and sophomore forward Aydar Suniev are among 90+ nominees for the 2025 Hobey Baker Memorial Award. The list of candidates was announced on Wednesday, coinciding with the start of the Hobey Baker fan voting, which is now live and will run through Sunday, March 9 at midnight.
O'Hara, a 2022 fourth round draft selection of the Nashville Predators, is enjoying a breakout season offensively having set career highs in points (31), goals (12) and assists (19) through just 23 games played thus far this season. The Richmond Hill, Ontario native has five power-play goals and three game winners to his credit in 2024-25 and has logged multiple points in seven contests, including two four-point performances for a single-game career bests. He is currently tied for fifth in the nation in points, sixth in points per-game (1.35), tied for fourth in assists tied for 19th in goals and tied for 16th in power-play goals.
Suniev, a 2023 Calgary Flames third round draft pick, currently leads UMass in goals (14) and is second in points (27) to O'Hara in 23 games of action, surpassing both of his freshman year totals. He has matched his single-season high in assists with 13, as well, and is +7 with five power-play goals and three game winners. He ranks tied for 13th nationally in points, tied for 20th in points per-game (1.17), tied for sixth in goals and tied for 16th in power-play goals.
Phase two of fan balloting will come from the list of Top Ten Hobey Baker finalists beginning March 19 and closing March 30. The fans' vote accounts for a percentage of the total ballot in each phase in selecting this year's award recipient.
Award criteria include candidates exhibiting the exceptional character traits of 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.
The 2025 Hobey Baker Award winner will be announced from a field of three Hobey Hat Trick finalists on Friday, April 11, 2025 during the NCAA Frozen Four Championship in St. Louis, Missouri. The award ceremony will be broadcast nationally on NHL Network and streamed live at hobeybaker.com.
O'Hara, a 2022 fourth round draft selection of the Nashville Predators, is enjoying a breakout season offensively having set career highs in points (31), goals (12) and assists (19) through just 23 games played thus far this season. The Richmond Hill, Ontario native has five power-play goals and three game winners to his credit in 2024-25 and has logged multiple points in seven contests, including two four-point performances for a single-game career bests. He is currently tied for fifth in the nation in points, sixth in points per-game (1.35), tied for fourth in assists tied for 19th in goals and tied for 16th in power-play goals.
Suniev, a 2023 Calgary Flames third round draft pick, currently leads UMass in goals (14) and is second in points (27) to O'Hara in 23 games of action, surpassing both of his freshman year totals. He has matched his single-season high in assists with 13, as well, and is +7 with five power-play goals and three game winners. He ranks tied for 13th nationally in points, tied for 20th in points per-game (1.17), tied for sixth in goals and tied for 16th in power-play goals.
Phase two of fan balloting will come from the list of Top Ten Hobey Baker finalists beginning March 19 and closing March 30. The fans' vote accounts for a percentage of the total ballot in each phase in selecting this year's award recipient.
Award criteria include candidates exhibiting the exceptional character traits of 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.
The 2025 Hobey Baker Award winner will be announced from a field of three Hobey Hat Trick finalists on Friday, April 11, 2025 during the NCAA Frozen Four Championship in St. Louis, Missouri. The award ceremony will be broadcast nationally on NHL Network and streamed live at hobeybaker.com.
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