February 08, 2024 | SPORTS | By Lilly Asano
Known as the most prestigious recognition in college hockey, the Hobey Baker Memorial Award released its 2024 nominees on Jan. 26. Held with the same importance as football’s Heisman or basketball’s Wooden award, the list boasts D1 hockey’s best players. Two names of the 84 nominated players stand out: Colorado College’s Kaidan Mbereko ‘26 and Noah Laba ‘26.
The Hobey Baker Award, established in 1984, celebrates strength of character, contribution to a team’s integrity, outstanding skills in all game phases, and scholastic achievement in honor of the late Hobey Baker. According to the NCAA, nominations are submitted from all division head coaches who select three players within their conference and three players nationwide before the award committee compiles the final nomination list.
Colorado College stands as alma mater to two recipients: forwards Peter Sejna and Marty Sertich. The two were honored two years apart from each other, Sejna in 2003 and Marty in 2005.
This year’s nominations are no surprise. Amid a historic season for the Colorado College Tigers, Laba and Mbereko have been integral to the team’s success. With 16 wins under their belt, the Tigers hold their own in the Division 1 rankings, sitting ranked at No. 15.
After his first nomination last year, Mbereko is no stranger to the award process. The goaltender from Aspen ended the 2022-2023 season fifth in the country for save percentages, earning a position on the National Collegiate Hockey Conference’s All-Rookie Team and All-NCHC Second Team.
In his second year as a Tiger, Mbereko sets himself apart. The sophomore individually leads the NCHC in saves per game and save percentages in the current 2023-2024 season. He was named the NCHC Goalie of the months for December and January, along with four individual ‘Goalie of the Week’ titles.
Of 26 games played so far, Mbereko has answered the starting line-up call every time. He’s tallied 690 saves this season and 1,553 minutes in goal. His demeanor on the ice is collected and confident, and his ability to find the puck has left multiple opponents frustrated.
“[Mbereko] has the ability to make stuff look easy. We’re so fortunate to have a guy like that; we really are,” head coach Kris Mayotte said in a post-game press conference on Jan. 20. “The team doesn’t get emotional because he can calm things down so well. We give up big-time chances, and our guys don’t ride the roller coaster because they know they have Mbereko back there. He’s invaluable to what we’re doing.”
Laba, also in his second season under the Colorado College banner, is a powerful force in college hockey. In his 2022-2023 season, he finished second for the Tigers in points and was honored as an NCHC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete and All-Academic team member.
This year, Laba dominates the team’s points and national statistics. Following their Feb. 2 and Feb. 3 contest against St. Cloud State, Laba sits at the top of CC’s standings with 15 goals and 9 assists. Of those 15, seven of his goals have been game-winning goals.
Laba propelled the Tigers into the national rankings after his overtime goal against North Dakota on Dec. 8 and, since has tallied three more overtime goals. The “Laba Lamp,” as affectionately referred to, is currently first overall in the NCAA Division 1 standings for game-winning goals.
A New York Rangers 2022 draftee, the NHL team named Laba their Prospect of the Month for January 2024. He was honored in the same month as the NCHC’s Forward of the Month. This is Laba’s first Hobey Baker nomination, but his impact on the Tiger’s program is immeasurable.
Voting for the Hobey Baker Award will run throughout the end of the season before ten semifinalists will be chosen. The field is then cut down to three by the selection committee, and finalists will be awarded from that pool.
Accompanied by their team, Laba and Mbereko will appear next at Ed Robson Arena on Feb.15 and 16 to face the No. 2 University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks.