The Michigan-Michigan State hockey rivalry, which saw the two teams brawl in the third-place game of the Great Lakes Invitational in December, extends even to the Hobey Baker Award this season.
The Wolverines and Spartans each have a finalist for the award, given annually to college hockey’s best player. For Michigan, it’s defenseman Quinn Hughes, who had five goals and 28 assists in 32 games as a sophomore. For Michigan State, it’s forward Taro Hirose, who tied for the Division I lead in points, with 50, as a junior. Hirose had 15 goals and 35 assists for the Spartans before signing with the Detroit Red Wings last week.