ST. PAUL – Junior Center Adam Gaudette became the first Northeastern player in school history to capture the prestigious Hobey Baker Award, given annually to the NCAA's top Division I men's ice hockey player, on Friday at the legendary Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St. Paul, Minn. The CCM/ACHA First Team All-American is the 10thHockey East player to win college's hockey's highest individual award. 
 
"We are incredibly proud of Adam for this tremendous honor," said Northeastern's Fernie Flaman Men's Hockey Coach Jim Madigan. "What he was able to accomplish this season is something that many players would dream of doing over a career. Every accolade he's received this season is well-deserved, and to officially be recognized as college hockey's top player speaks to his determination and incredible work ethic that Adam brings to the rink every day. His future in this game is extremely bright, and we thank him for everything's he done for our hockey program and Northeastern University. We wish him the very best as he embarks on his professional career." 

The three finalists (Gaudette, Denver's Henrik Borgström and Harvard's Ryan Donato) and overall winner were selected from the initial list of Top Ten candidates by the 27-member Selection Committee and an additional round of online fan balloting to determine this year's Hobey Baker winner. Criteria for the award includes: displaying outstanding skills in all phases of the game, strength of character on and off the ice, sportsmanship and scholastic achievements.

Last week, Gaudette joined Zach Aston-Reese (2017) and Brad Thiessen (2009) as Northeastern's three Hobey Baker Hat Trick Finalists, while Dylan Sikura (2018), Jim Fahey (2002) and Sandy Beadle (1981) were named top ten finalists.

Gaudette, who leads the nation in scoring this season with 60 points (30 goals, 30 assists), is the Hockey East Player of the Year and Walter Brown Award winner. The Braintree, Mass. native is just the 11th player in program history to score 30 goals in a season and the seventh in the NCAA since the 2012-13 season. He finished his collegiate career with at least one point in 10 of his last 11 games and recorded points in 20 out of his last 24 games (22 goals, 20 assists).

Gaudette signed a three-year entry level contract with the Vancouver Canucks last week, and has played in four games.

"Adam has had a remarkable season and college career playing at Northeastern," said Vancouver general manager Jim Benning. "He's a very talented player and has shown an ability to score, make plays and contribute in all situations at the collegiate level. We're excited to have him join our team and continue his development as a professional."

His performance this season was tied for 10th in single-season scoring at Northeastern and tied for ninth in single-season goals. Gaudette sits in 11th in career goals (68) and is tied for 17th in career points (142) as a Husky. He also owns the school record for career power play goals (32), which he broke in just three seasons.

Gaudette is the sixth Husky in team history with 50 points in consecutive seasons. He's also the 16th Husky since 1953 to record two 20-goal seasons during his collegiate career, and the 15th to do it in consecutive seasons (last: J.F. Aube in 1994-95). He also captured the Hockey East regular season scoring title with 33 points (19 goals, 14 assists) in conference play. He is the first Husky to win the scoring crown since Jason Guerriero in 2004-05. Of Hockey East's 10 Hobey Baker Award winners, six won the conference scoring title (Gaudette, Jack Eichel, Johnny Gaudreau, Jason Krog, Paul Kariya, David Emma).

Together, Gaudette (60 points), Dylan Sikura (54 points) and captain Nolan Stevens (42 points), combined for 76 goals, including 36 on the power play. Northeastern's Big 3 were one of the most lethal offensive lines in the country, while making NU the only team in the NCAA to have three players with 40-plus points and 20-plus goals apiece.

During their careers on Huntington Avenue, the trio helped lead Northeastern to its first Hockey East championship since 1988 in 2016, first Beanpot title in 30 years this season, and brought the Huskies to the NCAA tournament two times in the last three seasons.