On Campus: Devils prospect Hughes among top defensemen this season

The top player in college hockey receives the Hobey Baker Award. The best goalie takes home the Mike Richter Award.

But there is no trophy for the player adjudged to be the best defenseman in college hockey, which is unfortunate.
There are at least four former NCAA greats who no doubt would be proud to have their name on a best defenseman award. Take your pick,from Rod Langway (New Hampshire), Chris Chelios (Wisconsin), Brian Leetch (Boston College) or Rob Blake (Bowling Green).
After college, each moved to the NHL and won the Norris Trophy as the League's top defenseman.
Chelios won it three times (1989, 1993, 1996), Langway (1983, 1984) and Leetch (1992, 1997) each won it twice, and Blake once (1998). All four players are enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.
Here's hoping that down the road, there will be a trophy for the top defenseman in the NCAA.
While we wait for that day, here are 10 players who would be worthy of consideration for a best defenseman award this season (listed in alphabetical order).
Dylan Anhorn, St. Cloud State University
The 23-year-old, who transferred to St. Cloud after three seasons at Union College, is having a breakout season.
He leads NCAA defensemen with 21 points (five goals, 16 assists) in 18 games after he had 20 points (seven goals, 13 assists) in 29 games for Union last season.
Anhorn, an undrafted free agent, attended development camp with the Calgary Flames this offseason.
Mike Benning, University of Denver
Benning was named Most Outstanding Player in the 2022 Frozen Four to help Denver win the NCAA championship.
He has 19 points (seven goals, 12 assists) in 20 games this season.
The 20-year-old was selected by the Florida Panthers in the fourth round (No. 95) at the 2020 NHL Draft.
His brother, Matt Benning, is a San Jose Sharks defenseman. His father, Brian Benning, and uncle, Jim Benning, were NHL defensemen.
Brock Faber, University of Minnesota
Faber is the captain and a workhorse at both ends of the ice for Minnesota.
He has 15 points (three goals, 12 assists) in 20 games this season and his plus-18 is tied for second among NCAA players.
The 20-year-old was selected by the Los Angeles Kings in the second round (No. 45) at the 2020 NHL Draft. His rights were traded to the Minnesota Wild, along with a first-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft (No. 19, forward
Liam Ohgren
) for forward Kevin Fiala on June 29.

Luke Hughes, University of Michigan
The 19-year-old is expected to be a strong contender for the Hobey Baker Award.
Hughes has 18 points (three goals, 15 assists) in 20 games this season, and is a dynamic skater with high-end offensive skills. He's also the captain for the United States at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship.
The New Jersey Devils selected Hughes in the first round (No. 4) of the 2021 NHL Draft. He's expected to sign with New Jersey when Michigan's season ends.
He is the younger brother of Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes and Devils forward Jack Hughes.
Lane Hutson, Boston University
The 18-year-old has elite hockey sense and offensive creativity. Hutson leads freshmen defensemen with 18 points (seven goals, 11 assists) in 16 games. He has three game-winning goals, including two in overtime.
Hutson was selected by the Montreal Canadiens in the second round (No. 62) of the 2022 draft.
Jackson LaCombe, University of Minnesota
LaCombe is second among NCAA defensemen with 20 points (four goals, 16 assists) in 20 games.
The 21-year-old was chosen by the Anaheim Ducks in the second round (No. 39) of the 2019 NHL Draft.
Jayson Lee, University of Denver
The spotlight always shines brightest on defensemen who put up points, which isn't Lee's game. But his hard-nosed, defense-first approach and leadership for the defending NCAA champion deserves recognition.
An undrafted free agent, the 22-year-old attended development camp with the Arizona Coyotes during the offseason.
Jake Livingstone, Minnesota State University
The 23-year-old was named CCHA Defenseman of the Year last season and is off to a good start this season with 17 points (three goals, 14 assists) in 20 games. He is an undrafted free agent.
Scott Morrow, University of Massachusetts
The 20-year-old is particularly dangerous on the power play, where Massachusetts leads all NCAA teams with a 32.5-percent success rate.
Morrow has 13 points (four goals, nine assists) and two power-play goals in 16 games.
He was chosen by the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round (No. 40) of the 2021 draft.

Henry Thrun, Harvard University
With 14 points (three goals, 11 assists) in 11 games, Thrun's average of 1.27 points per game is second among NCAA defensemen.
The 21-year-old was selected by the Anaheim Ducks in the fourth round (No. 101) of the 2019 draft.
Top Photo: Michigan Photography