The NCAA hockey regular season has come to a close, and with that the seasons of many teams’ notable prospects. Last month, I took stock of the best NCAA player within each Eastern Conference pipeline. A month later, it is time to head over to the Western Conference.  

Central Division

Colorado Avalanche – Jake Fisher (C)

The prospect-scape in the Avalanche system is admittedly a bit barren, but Jake Fisher stands out as a could-be NHLer if things pan out right for the 19-year-old. Things have not been easy for the 6-2 freshman, but he still has had some success in a bottom-six role for the University of Denver. He is a hardworking player and has a genuinely good shot, particularly on one-timers, though he doesn’t often find opportunities to use it. His bread and butter is his willingness to get into the dirty areas and use his work ethic to break up plays from a defensive standpoint, both at even strength and on the penalty kill. Fisher could be the quintessential hard-working, fourth-line center injury call-up who will provide steady defensive play at the expense of offensive output.

34 Games Played: 7 G | 6 A | 13 TP | 8 PIM | 47 SOG | 14.9 SH%

*

Chicago Blackhawks – Sam Rinzel (RHD)

Rinzel has turned his high draft-year potential into a solid sophomore campaign at the University of Minnesota, currently sitting tied for fourth in the NCAA in defenseman scoring. He is long and lanky (6-4, 190 pounds) and will need to fill out a bit more over the next couple of seasons, but he already has the makings of a legitimate two-way project. His best asset is his skating, which is fluid and explosive. Rinzel does his best work with the puck on his stick, and though he has a way to go off-puck, particularly in the sense that it feels like he often scrambles, he is a legitimate transition threat that you don’t often see from a blueliner. He is not overly physical, either, rather relying on nifty stick-work to break up plays as they develop. In a couple of years, there is a second-pairing, all-situations, two-way defenseman here.

39 Games Played: 10 G | 21 A | 31 TP | 12 PIM | 93 SOG | 10.8 SH%

Honorable Mention: Oliver Moore (C) – To me, Moore is one of the more exciting prospects across the entire NHL to watch. His skating ability is legitimately otherworldly and he can make a difference with just that asset already. He would already be one of the fastest and most explosive skaters in the NHL, but he is equally great at using his edges to create space and separation, with and without the puck on his stick. Moore is a master of creating opportunities for himself, and it truly does boil down to his feet. His shot and playmaking abilities are solid enough, though he does struggle at times to pot home the opportunities he does create for himself. Whereas some have him penciled in as a (much) more skilled Miles Wood, who will cap out in the middle-six, I believe there is some top six potential if he can figure out how to capitalize more.  

37 Games Played: 12 G | 20 A | 32 TP | 6 PIM | 104 SOG | 11.5 SH%

*

Dallas Stars – Aram Minnetian (RHD)

The points have not necessarily been there for Minnetian, but he does project as a solid two-way defenseman who can play bottom-four minutes. He is a steady, physically unafraid presence on the back end who does not shy away from getting in shooting lanes and using his body to separate attackers from the puck, particularly in board battles. His offensive upside is somewhat limited, but he can move the puck on occasion and has strong legs. Where Minnetian will struggle is in his occasional dip in decision-making, but he’s ironed that out a bit more this season and looks much more polished. I am not wholly confident that he’ll end up as a consistent NHLer, but the framework is certainly there. 

32 Games Played: 2 G | 12 A | 14 TP | 16 PIM | 38 SOG | 5.3 SH%

*

Minnesota Wild – Zeev Buium (D)

Even when he was drafted, Buium was touted as a steal – and for good reason. He has inarguably been college’s best defenseman over the last two seasons, putting up record-breaking point totals in his freshman year and pacing for a similar campaign in his sophomore season. His call to fame will be his unearthly offensive instincts – he is one of the smartest defensemen I’ve ever had the pleasure of watching. His skating is well above average, though I wouldn’t call it elite, and he has the hands to beat defenders one-on-one. Buium has elevated his defensive play to boot, quashing concerns that draft-year scouts had about his potential as a two-way defenseman. He truly profiles as a top-pairing, upper-echelon defender who can and will garner All-Star nominations year in and year out. 

33 Games Played: 8 G | 30 A | 38 TP | 38 PIM | 71 SOG | 11.3 SH%

*

Nashville Predators – Matthew Wood (LW/C)

Wood is a bit of a divisive player in the sense that I really, really like his toolkit outside of the two major things that will hold him back at the NHL level: his skating and his compete. His feet are pretty weak, having neither top-end speed nor quickness, though I think his edges are a bit better than most give credit for. When combining that lack of skating ability with no sense of urgency or motivation without the puck on his stick, things get a bit dicier. Wood has an average-to-above-average shot but is a genuinely excellent playmaker with a high hockey IQ in the offensive zone. Again, none of that really matters if he does not have the work ethic off-puck, and there is a chance he doesn’t mesh well with certain coaches who value more than one’s intrinsic skill-set. If he can iron that out and improve a bit on his skating, there is a middle-six, playmaking, passenger winger with second-power-play upside. If not, he is going to struggle to get consistent playing time and may cap out as an offensively inclined fourth-liner.

38 Games Played: 17 G | 21 A | 38 TP | 14 PIM | 121 SOG | 14.0 SH%

Honorable Mention: Aiden Fink (RW) – I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Aiden Fink’s marvelous sophomore season. He is currently leading the NCAA in scoring and has shown a level of upside that most did not expect. He is the stereotypical tiny player (5-10, 161 pounds) who possesses extremely tantalizing skill but fell to the latter rounds of the draft by proxy of his size. His hockey sense is above-average, but where he really shines is in his puck skills. He has a wide array of dekes and dangles, which he uses creatively to beat defenders in one-on-one and even one-on-several situations. He has an NHL-caliber shot as well as explosiveness and solid edge-work, though his top-end speed is unimpressive because of his poor mechanics. I’m partial to small, fun players, and Fink is no exception to this rule. He either has top-six potential or will be a career AHLer – there is no in-between. 

36 Games Played: 23 G | 28 A | 51 TP | 10 PIM | 130 SOG | 17.7 SH%

*

St. Louis Blues – Jimmy Snuggerud (RW)

Snuggerud has been the University of Minnesota’s most valuable forward for a couple of seasons now, and it isn’t just because of his undeniable offensive capabilities. His shot is electric, with a quick, deceptive release that he can get off in extremely tight spaces if need be. He can make plays as well, but his calling card has been and always will be his shot. He is a relatively average skater, with middling top-end speed and meh quickness and edge work, but his motor is incessant and he is an absolute puck-hound in the offensive zone. That trickles over into his 200-foot game, too, where he will contribute on the defensive side of things and is unafraid to get himself tied up into a board battle, where he will earn the puck back more often than not. He has good size (6-2, 187 pounds) for what he brings to the ice and will most likely make his money as a middle-sixer with special teams upside on both ends. 

39 Games Played: 22 G | 27 A | 49 TP | 29 PIM | 157 SOG | 14.0 SH%

*

Utah Hockey Club – Michael Hrabal (G)

Watching Hrabal, the first thing that stands out is his giant stature. At 6-7, he takes up an immense portion of the net and is not afraid to let that size to the majority of the work for him. He is generally extremely calm, again allowing that size to take up space for the shooters facing him. As with most goalies this age, consistency is his major issue. When he is locked in, he is locked in, but other times, he has trouble tracking the puck and is prone to getting beaten cleanly on seemingly innocuous chances. He needs another year of marination in the NCAA but can be an NHL-level backup or 1B in due time.

33 Games Played: 18-10-5 | .927 SV% | 2.32 GAA | 2 SO

*

Winnipeg Jets – Zachary Nehring (RW)

Much like Colorado, things are pretty barren on the NCAA level for the Winnipeg Jets. Their third-round pick from 2023, Nehring, though, does possess some NHL project-ability. He has put up some solid production for a middle-six freshman – he has utilized both his NHL-ready shot and underrated playmaking ability to contribute meaningfully all season. He has the frame to be a crash-and-bang-style winger at 6-3, but will need to fill out and add a bit more of a physical edge to make that work. He does try – Nehring has many a time made a power move with preemptive body contact to generate a scoring chance – but he will struggle to do so in the big leagues if he doesn’t put on a few pounds. I think he has third-line potential in the big leagues, though he may have an AHL-level ceiling if he doesn’t take a couple of steps in his development, skating-wise. 

34 Games Played: 13 G | 13 A | 26 TP | 29 PIM | 60 SOG | 21.7 SH%

*****

Pacific Division

Anaheim Ducks – Austin Burnevik (RW)

Burnevik has had an interesting development, going from an undrafted NTDP project to one of the USHL’s best forwards in one season. He is in the midst of his first college campaign, where he has made a legitimate impact as a middle-six power winger with St. Cloud University. He makes his money around the net, using his massive 6-4, 201-pound frame to create chaos amongst defenders at the goal mouth. He has a good sense of how to bully crease clearers away from the puck. Burnevik will desperately need to improve his legs if he wants to make the jump to the NHL, though, as it is a profound weakness in his game. Regardless of if the effort and work ethic is there, his skating just cannot keep up, especially once the competition gets a bit tougher. In the off-chance he gets that done, he could be a fourth-line grinder with a penchant for net-front play. 

33 Games Played: 13 G | 13 A | 26 TP | 8 PIM | 106 SOG | 12.3 SH%

*

Calgary Flames – Aydar Suniev (LW)

Suniev is a legitimate dual-threat winger – he can pass and shoot quite well. In fact, he is a pretty well-rounded player all around, outside of his skating, which needs improvement. His wrister is as good as his snap, which is as good as his one-timer. His playmaking is deceptive and confident, with the offensive wherewithal to know when a shot or pass is the better option. Suniev has shown aptitude at drawing defenders in before doling the puck off to an open teammate. He checks off the boxes for a solid passenger player, shifting his play style from being the primary shooter or primary playmaker depending on who he is playing with. He has middle-six, second power-play unit upside at the NHL level – that is, if he can work on his foot-speed. 

32 Games Played: 17 G | 18 A | 35 TP | 22 PIM | 111 SOG | 15.3 SH%

*

Edmonton Oilers – Paul Fischer (LHD)

This spot was originally occupied by Shane LaChance, but he was traded to New Jersey. Fischer is still a quite effective player in his own right, though I would not necessarily say there is a particular strength in his game. He profiles more as a seventh defenseman than anything, but he possesses two-way qualities to make him have potential as a steady bottom-pairing defenseman. Fischer’s game is disciplined and controlled, he has a solid first-pass, strong enough skating to keep up, and the defensive wherewithal not to be a liability in his own zone. There is a possibility that he caps out as a sort of first-pairing AHL defenseman, but the tools are there to make an impression at the NHL level if things pan out.

35 Games Played: 2 G | 19 A | 21 TP | 16 PIM | 58 SOG | 3.4 SH%

*

Los Angeles Kings – Hampton Slukynsky (G)

More and more often we see goaltenders with gigantic frames garner all the attention, but at a relatively meager 6-2, Slukynsky takes over games with his sheer athleticism. He is one of the more mobile goalies you will see within the crease, tracking pucks exceptionally well side-to-side and dropping into the butterfly extremely quickly compared to his peers. He anticipates the flow of play like a pro and will rarely get caught out of position, though his size is a limiting factor in covering the upper quadrants of the net at times. Still, he looks like a could-be starting-caliber goalie in the big leagues.

17 Games Played: 11-5-1 / .920 SV% / 2.04 GAA / 1 SO

*

San Jose Sharks – Cameron Lund (C/W)

Lund is playing a gigantic role for Northeastern University, logging well over 20 minutes nightly as an all-situations center for the relatively middling program. He has performed well, too, having hummed at an above-point-per-game pace all season. His shot is NHL ready and he is a true gamer in every sense of the word — he is unafraid of physical contact and aggressively forechecking with the work ethic to get those pucks back — but there are legitimate concerns about his hockey sense. Lund can skate, and when things are clicking for him he can be a breakaway machine who plays well in transition. He can be caught both puck watching and with blinders on at times, but his positional variability at both center and on the wings in conjunction with his raw toolkit and work ethic will likely lead to a career as a plus-scoring bottom-six player. 

35 Games Played: 16 G | 21 A | 37 TP | 14 PIM | 168 SOG | 9.5 SH%

*

Seattle Kraken – Justin Janicke (LW/C)

Janicke has really burst onto the NCAA this season as a potential late-blooming steal. He is extraordinarily hardworking and consistent in his game, thriving on the forecheck and in pressuring defenders into turning the puck back over to him. Once he does regain possession, he is a heady player who can and will find open teammates or capitalize on his own chances well. Janicke is a solid skater with particularly strong explosiveness, making him a plus in transition with the puck on his stick. For a small-ish forward (6-0, 187 pounds), he is strong on the puck and will cut to the inside when warranted. By all accounts, he has the makings of a hard-working bottom-six player and is defying his status as a seventh-round pick. 

37 Games Played: 15 G | 19 A | 34 TP | 29 PIM | 67 SOG | 22.4 SH%

*

Vancouver Canucks – Tom Willander (RHD)

Watching Willander, it becomes clear that his best asset is his skating ability. He’s smooth and fast, with excellent mechanics that make it seem as though he is accelerating effortlessly. He can create gaps between himself and trailing defenders in transition at the drop of a hat and has the edge work to get around them with possession in tight space, too. In fact, there really isn’t much not to like about his well-rounded game. He is intelligent in all three zones, gets pucks on net, and is an extremely effective defender. Willander excels at stick checks, and though unafraid of physical contact to separate carriers from the puck, relies more on using that active stick to get the job done. There is some need for better offensive instincts while in the zone, but he already has the floor of a second-pairing, two-way, puck-carrying defenseman. 

33 Games Played: 2 G | 19 A | 21 TP | 8 PIM | 42 SOG | 4.8 SH%

*

Vegas Golden Knights – Trevor Connelly (LW)

He is having a bit of a down year considering his expectations, but Connelly still has the makings of a high-octane talent. He is extremely fast and can accelerate to top speed pretty quickly and has elite hands to go along with it. He is creative and can turn defenders inside out with a collection of moves he can pull out at any time. His playmaking is the better attribute between that and his shooting, having the hockey IQ to execute difficult passing plays in tight coverage and with dynamism. He is a pro at drawing defenders in before punishing them with a quick cut or deke and then finding open teammates in space. There are many instances in every game where Connolly turns a seemingly harmless play into a high-danger opportunity. Where he lacks is size — he is going to need to bulk up a bit but that is of practically no concern — and doing too much on occasion. Still, he profiles as a likely top-six playmaker who will be able to drive play well at the NHL level. 

21 Games Played: 4 G | 9 A | 13 TP | 29 PIM | 58 SOG | 6.9 SH%

JP Gambatese