ST. PAUL, Minn. – University of Maine men's ice hockey forward Justin Poirier has been named a nominee for the 2026 Hobey Baker Memorial Award, as announced on Wednesday by the Hobey Baker Memorial Award Foundation.
 
The Hobey Baker Award is presented annually to the top player in Division I men's ice hockey.
 
Poirier is fifth overall in the country and first among all rookies with 28 points. His 17 goals are the fifth-most among all players and first among first-year plays. The Valleyfield, Quebec native leads Maine in points, goals and shots on goal (89). Poirier has earned two Rookie of the Week honors, a Rookie of the Month and a Player of the Month honor from Hockey East this season. He was also named the National Co-Forward of the Month for December. Earlier this season, Poirier became the first DI men's player since the 2005-06 season to score 17 goals in their first 19 career games. He also recorded a hat trick in his collegiate debut on Oct. 10 against Holy Cross for the ninth hat trick by a player in their collegiate debut since the start of the 2002-03 season.

Fans can cast their vote by going to the voting website hobeybaker.com/vote. Fans can find their favorite player, then text to vote by following the instructions. Fans can select from this year's outstanding crop of 87 college hockey players representing 48 NCAA Division I schools.

There will then be a second phase of fan balloting coming from the list of Top Ten Hobey Baker finalists beginning March 18 and closing March 29. The Hobey Hat Trick will then be announced on April 2 with the winner to be awarded during the 2026 Frozen Four on April 10.