Karabela Selected HCA National Rookie of the Month
4/16/2026 2:00:00 PM | Men's Ice Hockey
Freshman had nine points in five games
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State men's hockey forward Jake Karabela was named the Hockey Commissioners Association co-Rookie of the Month for March/April, the HCA announced Thursday. A native of Guelph, Ontario, Karabela led the Buckeyes and shared the lead among NCAA freshmen with nine points in the span, ranking first among all skaters nationally with 1.8 points per game.
In just five games, had four goals (two on the power play) and five assists for nine points, tying for first among rookies with .8 goals per game and standing second with 1.0 assists per outing. He was a Buckeye-best +5 and his four goals came on 10 shots.
Karabela earned a spot on the Big Ten All-Tournament Team, as the No. 5 seed Buckeyes upset NCAA Tournament teams No. 4 seed Wisconsin and No. 1 Michigan State before falling to No. 2 Michigan in the tournament final, all on the road.He ended the year on a seven-game point streak and four-game goal streak. In a 7-1 quarterfinal win on the road vs. the Badgers, he had two points with a goal and an assist. In a 3-2 overtime win in the semifinals vs. the Spartans, Karabela had a hand in each goal, with a tally and two helpers (including the primary assist on the overtime gamewinner). He also scored a goal against the Wolverines in the final. Karabela started March with three points in a series vs. Notre Dame, notching an assist in game one and a goal and an assist in game two.
On the year, Karabela led the Buckeyes in scoring with 37 points, sharing the goal lead with 15 and posting a team-best 22 assists. He earned a spot on the Big Ten All-Freshman Team.
In just five games, had four goals (two on the power play) and five assists for nine points, tying for first among rookies with .8 goals per game and standing second with 1.0 assists per outing. He was a Buckeye-best +5 and his four goals came on 10 shots.
Karabela earned a spot on the Big Ten All-Tournament Team, as the No. 5 seed Buckeyes upset NCAA Tournament teams No. 4 seed Wisconsin and No. 1 Michigan State before falling to No. 2 Michigan in the tournament final, all on the road.He ended the year on a seven-game point streak and four-game goal streak. In a 7-1 quarterfinal win on the road vs. the Badgers, he had two points with a goal and an assist. In a 3-2 overtime win in the semifinals vs. the Spartans, Karabela had a hand in each goal, with a tally and two helpers (including the primary assist on the overtime gamewinner). He also scored a goal against the Wolverines in the final. Karabela started March with three points in a series vs. Notre Dame, notching an assist in game one and a goal and an assist in game two.
On the year, Karabela led the Buckeyes in scoring with 37 points, sharing the goal lead with 15 and posting a team-best 22 assists. He earned a spot on the Big Ten All-Freshman Team.
Players Mentioned
Forward
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