Matt Garbowsky Deserves a Hobey Baker

Matt Garbowsky is a Senior at the Rochester Institute of Technology. The St. George, Ontario native is currently studying Business Management. In his Sophomore year, Garbowsky led RIT in scoring with 11 goals and 22 assists in the 38 games that he played. The following year, his Junior year, Garbowsky was poised for a breakout year, until he was injured and missed 24 games. When he came back, Garbowsky was named captain and proved his worth, by going 2-5-7  in his 13 games. Now that Garbowsky has a full season to develop those stats, the 5’10”, 185 lb center is competing for college hockey’s most prestigious award, the Hobey Baker.

The former RIT rookie of the year is having a incredible year so far. Garbowsky has been a spark for the entire RIT offense. Last season, with Garbowsky mainly out of the lineup, RIT was scoring at a 2.54 goals per game rate. This year, Matt Garbowsky has lead his team to a 2.62 rating. Rochester also had a total of 94 goals last season through 37 games. This season RIT has 42 in 16 games. Their scoring rate would calculate them at approximately 97 goals in the same amount of time. RIT currently holds a 5-8-3  record overall, and are 4-5-3 within the Atlantic Hockey division.

Matt Garbowsky’s leadership as RIT captain is noteworthy, but his individual stats are worthy of a double-take. The Senior leads the nation in goals with 14. Even more impressive than that, is that 12 of his 14 goals came at even strength. Garbowsky has been at the right places and at the right times. He leads the nation in goals when his team is tied (7), and game tying goals (2). Matt has 4 multi-goal games, including a hat-trick. He has been absolutely dominant, and a really fun player to watch.

It may be tough to say the Matt Garbowsky has been the best player in college hockey, due to teen sensation Jack Eichel. The Boston College freshman has been basically already penciled in as a top 2 NHL draft pick. But as the old saying goes, numbers never lie.

Eichel may lead the nation in points, but Garbowsky is out playing Eichel when it comes to face-offs. Matt has won more face offs (258) than Eichel (165), and has a better face off percentage with a .580 over Eichel’s .439. Eichel is one of the better face off takers in the nation, and that makes Garbowsky’s numbers that much sweeter.

Another intriguing fact about Matt Garbowsky, is that he is an undrafted free agent. It will be interesting to see the amount of attention he will get from his strong Senior season he is having.

Between Garbowsky, Eichel, and maybe even Drake Caggiula out of North Dakota, it will be a fun race to watch for the Hobey Baker award. Garbowsky has the stats and leadership skills to promote for himself, and Eichel has the natural abilities to vie for himself. Either one is a good candidate.