The Spire

Courtney McKeen ’27

Staff Writer

Holy Cross Junior Liam McLinskey was recently named a top 10 finalist for the esteemed Hobey Baker Memorial Award, which is given to the top player in the NCAA men’s ice hockey league. 

The list of Hobey Baker Award recipients is a distinguished list of college hockey greats, so as the first player to be named a top 10 finalist is an incredible honor to bring to the legacy of Holy Cross Ice Hockey. As a team, the Crusaders held a 21-14-4 record this season, landing them a 2nd seed position for the playoffs after an impressive seven game win streak toward the end of their regular season. They played well in the playoffs, beating Canisius in game two of their 3-game series and progressing to the semi-finals, where they ultimately lost to 5th seed American International College after putting up a strong fight in the semi-finals. 

Named the Paul Hines Most Improved Player, McLinskey was an integral part of the team’s success this season. The 23-24 season was the second that he played at Holy Cross after joining the team from Quinnipiac University (ECAC) as a sophomore along with Head Coach Bill Riga, who joined Holy Cross after 13 years at Quinnipiac. McLinskey scored 21 goals in his first season for the Crusaders, which was the second highest goal scoring season by any player since the program moved to Division I. This year, as a junior, he scored 47 points comprised of 19 goals and 28 assists, leading not only Holy Cross but Atlantic Hockey in points, assists, and plus/minus (+23). He was named the statistical scoring champion for Atlantic Hockey, where he posted 11 goals and 20 assists for a combined 31 points. 

He was the first Crusader to be named Atlantic Hockey Player of the Year since 2006, and he was named to the Atlantic Hockey First-Team. Along with senior goaltender Jason Grande, he was named a New England Hockey Writers Association 2023-24 New England Division I Men’s All-Star, and a Semi-Finalist for the Walter Brown Award, which is awarded to the best New England hockey player born in the United States.

McLinskey has been a strong leader and player for the Crusaders, and as he is only a junior it is apparent that his skills will continue to help the team through his senior year. With eight seniors graduating from the program this year, including captain Jack Ricketts, who was also nominated for the Hobey Baker Award, the team will need strong players like McLinskey to take over in positions of leadership both on and off the ice. 

Copy Edited by Sophia Mariani ’26