Photo credit, Northeastern Athletics
By: Josh Brown
For the first time in Northeastern history, the best player in college hockey played his home games at Matthews Arena. A historic season for alternate captain Adam Gaudette officially concluded on Friday evening when he was presented with the Hobey Baker Award at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Gaudette beat out Harvard forward Ryan Donato and Denver forward Henrik Borgstrom for the nation’s most prestigious individual honor. Earlier in the evening, Gaudette along with teammates Dylan Sikura and Jeremy Davies were named CCM/ACHA First-Team All-Americans.
“Coming to Northeastern has been the biggest thing in my life,” said Gaudette. “It helped me prepare to be a pro, and I can’t thank the coaches and the staff enough for that. In saying so, my career at Northeastern has come to an end and I can’t wait to start my career with the Vancouver Canucks. I just want to thank Coach Madigan, Coach Keefe, Coach Smith, Coach McLaughlin for all they’ve done. I’m just really happy that they brought me in to be a Husky and they saw something in me that no one else did and their trust and loyalty really paid off and I can’t thank them enough for that.”
“This year at Northeastern has been one of the most memorable years of my life,” Gaudette added. “I wouldn’t be here without the guys on the team, and I especially wouldn’t be here without my two linemates, Dylan Sikura and Nolan Stevens. Playing on a line with those guys was the most fun I’ve ever had playing hockey. We accomplished a lot this year, winning a Beanpot for the first time in 30 years, and that’s something not a lot of people understand if you’re not from Boston. But that just meant so much to me personally and the team and the school and the community.”
A native of Braintree, Massachusetts, Gaudette ended the season atop the nation in goals (30) and points (60). He recorded 20 multi-point games in the 2017-2018 campaign (the most in college hockey), and he is just the tenth player in Northeastern history to rack up 60 points in a season. Earlier this year, he joined linemate Dylan Sikura, Boston College’s Johnny Gaudreau and St. Lawrence’s Greg Carey as just the fourth player since 2012-2013 to net 50+ points in consecutive seasons.
Despite being a junior, Gaudette ended the season first in the nation in both active career goals (68) and active career power play goals (32). Additionally, he was third in the nation in active career points (142).
“We are incredibly proud of Adam for this tremendous honor,” said Northeastern 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.”
Gaudette became the first Husky since Jason Guerriero in 2004-05 to win the Hockey East regular season scoring title (19 goals, 14 assists) this season. Of the now 10 Hobey Baker Award winners who have hailed from Hockey East, six won the conference scoring title (Jack Eichel, Johnny Gaudreau, Jason Krog, Paul Kariya, David Emma).
On March 19, Gaudette was named the Walter Brown Award Winner, given to the best American-born college hockey player in New England. He was also named the Beanpot MVP (4 goals, 2 assists) after leading the Huskies to their first tournament title since 1998.
Gaudette signed a three-year, entry level deal with the Vancouver Canucks on February 26. He has appeared in the team’s last four games.