2025 College Free Agency Preview: Goaltenders And Defensemen
As is always the case at this time of year, we’ve seen an influx of collegiate signings in recent weeks which is likely to continue over the next little while. Generally speaking, college free agents are rarely coming in as impact prospects with high NHL ceilings but it’s an opportunity for teams to add some depth pieces that are further along in their development compared to players coming out of major junior.
We’re changing things up a bit in our annual preview this time around. Last month, Gabriel Foley took a closer look at the most prominent players from this year’s class. Meanwhile, we’re breaking down the rest of the class in two separate columns, one for forwards and one for the rest of the unsigned goaltenders and defensemen, the focus of this last piece.
As always, note that not all of these players will sign entry-level contracts as some will ultimately elect to return to college for another season (or more) while quite a few others not on this list have already signed or will sign NHL or AHL deals in the coming weeks.
Goalies
Matt Davis (Denver)
He took over as the starting goaltender last season and led the Pioneers to the NCAA title. This year, the 23-year-old put up even better numbers and Denver once again made it to the Frozen Four. While he’s smaller than teams like goalies nowadays (he stands 6’1), the recent track record of success in big games should garner him some interest in free agency.
Cameron Rowe (Western Michigan)
A two-year starter for the Broncos heading into this season, he wound up having to split time this year with Los Angeles prospect Hampton Slukynsky which probably won’t help his value. Still, the 23-year-old played quite well with a 2.00 GAA and a .924 SV% in his 17 outings while his 6’3 stature helps his appeal as well.
Alex Tracy (Minnesota State Mankato)
The lone goalie to land in the top ten in Hobey Baker voting, Tracy was the CCHA Goalie of the Year following a stellar performance that saw him put up a 1.42 GAA and a .946 SV% along with five shutouts in 38 games; his GAA and SV% led Division I. However, at 6’0, he’s on the smaller side and we’ve seen smaller Hobey Baker contenders have to settle for AHL contracts before. Tracy still has a year of eligibility left but his overall value hasn’t been this high before.
Defense
Boston Buckberger (Denver)
After an impressive freshman year, Buckberger showed that his output was no fluke as he landed in the top ten for scoring by a Division I blueliner. Still just 21, there is still plenty of developmental runway left which should appeal to NHL teams. However, at 5’11, he’s undersized but Buckberger has shown enough offensively while playing big minutes for a top team that he should be getting some inquiries about leaving with two years of eligibility left.
Frank Djurasevic (Maine)
The decision to transfer after his freshman year at Merrimack was a wise one as he went from a depth role there to a key one at Maine. He’s a bit of a later bloomer as he played three USHL seasons before going to college but after showing offensive upside at that level, he was in the top 20 for NCAA Division I defenders this season. A right-shot defender, he could get some interest now but staying in school for one more year might make more sense.
C.J. Foley (Dartmouth)
A lot of what was said about Buckberger could be said here. He’s an undersized but still-young (21) defender who took a step forward offensively this season with 30 points in 33 games. He’s only a year removed from being draft-eligible so it would be a bit surprising if he’s signed this spring but his play should have him on the radar after being a unanimous selection to the ECAC’s First-Team All-Conference.
Brandon Holt (Maine)
Holt was on the radar early in the year when he was averaging over a point per game through the first month of the season. However, he wasn’t able to sustain that over the back half of the season. That likely takes him off the NHL radar for now but with how strong his start was, you never know.
Jake Livanavage (North Dakota)
One of the youngest players on this list, Liavanage doesn’t turn 21 until next month and was draft-eligible last year. He had a very impressive freshman year last season but a 5’10 stature likely didn’t help his case. However, Liavanage flirted with the 30-point mark once again, showing that the strong start wasn’t the outlier. Like Foley, it would be a bit surprising if he signed so soon after being draft eligible but he should be on more radars now if nothing else.
Michael Mastrodomenico (Notre Dame)
If there’s such a thing as an ‘old 20’, Mastrodomenico might qualify. Turning 21 next weekend, he has already played three full college seasons and more than doubled his point total from a year ago. A right-shot defender, the more prudent move for him might be to play his senior season and then test the open market but if nothing else, he’ll be one to keep an eye on next spring.
Ben Robertson (Cornell)
There’s a theme for several players on this list – young and undersized. This is once again the case for Robertson who was passed up last year in the draft following a quality first NCAA season. This season, Robertson – who doesn’t turn 21 until September – played at a similar level. A quality playmaker in the USHL, he’d likely be better off staying in school for at least one more year and hope to take a step forward offensively before looking to sign. To that end, Mark Divver of the New England Hockey Journal suggests (Twitter link) that Notre Dame, Michigan, and Denver are among the schools interested in him.
College Notes: Boisvert, Perron, Conmy
After entering the transfer portal earlier this week, it appears that Blackhawks prospect Sacha Boisvert has found his next team. RDS reports that the 19-year-old will play at Boston University next season. Boisvert was the 18th-overall pick back in June and spent this season at the University of North Dakota where he led the team in scoring with 18 goals and 14 assists in 37 games. Boisvert becomes the second Chicago prospect committed to the Terriers for 2025-26 as Jack Pridham, a third-round pick from last year, will also suit up there next season.
Other college news involving NHL prospects:
- Hurricanes prospect Jayden Perron is expected to transfer to the University of Michigan next season, reports Elite Prospects’ Cam Robinson (Twitter link). The 20-year-old winger entered the portal late last month. A third-round pick back in 2023 (94th overall), Perron spent his first two college years at the University of North Dakota. After putting up 18 points in 38 games in his freshman year, Perron notched ten goals and nine assists in 31 outings this season, finishing seventh in team scoring.
- Kings prospect Ryan Conmy has entered the transfer portal, relays Mark Divver of the New England Hockey Journal (Twitter link). The 20-year-old was a sixth-round pick by Los Angeles in 2023, going 182nd overall. The winger’s first two seasons at the University of New Hampshire were solid, tallying 29 goals and 35 assists in 68 games, leading the team in scoring both seasons. He’ll now look to find a new school to play at and it will be interesting to see if he winds up with a program that can keep him on the top line or if he’ll look to play for a stronger team with more of a limited role.
Snapshots: Hertl, Thompson, Whitelaw, Boija
Golden Knights center Tomas Hertl rejoined the team for practice today, the team announced (Twitter link). It’s worth noting that he wasn’t cleared for contact so he’s not particularly close to returning. The 31-year-old suffered a shoulder injury a little more than a week ago, stalling what had been one of his better offensive seasons as he has 31 goals and 28 assists in 70 games. However, Pierre LeBrun reports in his latest piece for The Athletic (subscription link) that Hertl is expected to be ready for the start of the playoffs so while Hertl won’t be back in the immediate future, he won’t be out for much longer either.
Elsewhere around the hockey world:
- Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson suffered an upper-body injury in the first period tonight against Carolina, the team announced (Twitter link). While he finished the period, he did not return after that. The 27-year-old has done quite well in his first season with Washington, posting a 31-5-6 record with a 2.43 GAA and a .912 SV% in 42 games heading into tonight’s action, earning himself a six-year, $35.1MM extension back in January. While Washington has a big cushion for top spot in the Metropolitan Division, an extended absence certainly wouldn’t be ideal heading into the playoffs.
- Blue Jackets prospect William Whitelaw is looking for a new place to play next season as he has entered the NCAA transfer portal, relays Mark Divver of the New England Hockey Journal (Twitter link). The 20-year-old was an early third-round pick back in 2023, going 66th overall but has bounced around since then. He played at Wisconsin in his freshman year but after managing 10 goals and seven assists in 37 games, he entered the portal and wound up choosing to play at Michigan this year. The change of scenery didn’t yield much of an increase in production, just one extra goal in two fewer games so it appears he’s hoping the third time is the charm in terms of finding the right school to play at.
- University of Maine goaltender Albin Boija was one of the top goaltenders from this year’s college free agent class. However, he won’t be turning pro after all as Divver reports in a separate tweet that the 21-year-old has elected to return for his junior year. Boija took over as the starter for the Black Bears this season, posting a 1.82 GAA and a .926 SV% in 37 games, ranking him in the top ten in Division I in both categories.
Poll: Which College Signing Will Make The Biggest Impact In 2024-25?
A contract signing frenzy has broken out across the NHL as the NCAA season draws to a close. Teams are in a mad dash to lock up their star prospects, or sign impactful free agents who slipped through the cracks of the draft. The range of outcomes for these fresh pro recruits will stretch across the hockey world. Some will finish their seasons on amateur try-out contracts in the minor leagues, while others have earned a proud AHL shot, and even more find themselves suddenly thrust into the NHL lineup. The group of signees is headlined by prospects with years of anticipation behind them, joining teams with important games left on the docket. Those big additions lead to the natural next question – which college signing will make the biggest impact through the remainder of the year?
University of Minnesota star Jimmy Snuggerud may be an easy top guess. The
20-year-old right-wing has joined a St. Louis Blues team in the midst of a nine-game win-streak that’s propelled them into a confident playoff spot. St. Louis’ success has come in no small part thanks to rookie Zachary Bolduc, who has 16 goals and 31 points in 65 games this season. He’s been backed by other thriving young forwards, like Dylan Holloway and Jake Neighbours. The Blues have leaned into their youth movement by promoting top AHL scorer Dalibor Dvorsky to the top flight, after he potted 20 goals and 43 points in 57 minor league games. Now, St. Louis also adds the snappy shot of Snuggerud after he managed a dazzling 24 goals and 51 points in 40 games of his junior season. Snuggerud doesn’t shy away from physicality and plays a cool, calm, and collected game that should blend well with a Blues offense that’s firing on all cylinders since the calendar turned over.
But St. Louis’ Central Division rivals have a pair of new faces who could find their way to a big splash. The Chicago Blackhawks may be well outside of postseason contention, but they’ve received their own injection of young potential by signing Snuggerud’s UMN teammates, centerman Oliver Moore and defenseman Sam Rinzel. Both players filled top-end roles for the Gophers this season, to dazzling results. Rinzel took home the Big Ten’s ‘Defenseman of the Year’ honors this year, after recording 10 goals and 32 points in 40 games of his sophomore season. Moore just narrowly outscored him, potting 12 goals and 33 points in 38 games of his own. The pair have already made their NHL debuts – and while neither scored, they were both instantly noticeable amid a Blackhawks offense that’s slowed down as of late. Chicago is looking towards the future as the season draws to a close, and strong performances out of Moore or Rinzel could go a long way towards cementing their top-of-the-lineup role through next season. It seems Rinzel’s spot may already be locked up – after he recorded over 20 minutes of ice time and four shots on net in his debut.
There’s even more to watch from Gopher alums in the Central Division – with Matthew Wood inking a deal with the Nashville Predators after completing his junior year at UMN. Wood ranked second on the Gophers in scoring behind Snuggerud, with 17 goals and 39 points in 39 games this season. It was an impressive performance for the fresh-transfer – but perhaps even more impressive, it was Wood’s first time not leading his team in scoring since he made his junior hockey debut in the 2020-21 season. He’s a fierce shooter, with the heft and skating to push his way into space, even against top competition. He could quickly find a role on a Predators team that lost Mark Jankowski at the Trade Deadline – and one that’s in desperate need of a booming top prospect to spark hopes.
While the Gophers look to take control of the Central Division, the Metropolitan Division could soon be controlled by Eagles. Boston College stars Ryan Leonard and Gabe Perreault have inked their first pro deals, signing with the Washington Capitals and New York Rangers respectively. The duo are absolute top prospects who have spent the vast majority of the last four seasons playing on the same line. Leonard is a beefy sniper capable of driving down the boards with speed and getting the puck on net quick. Perreault is a bit more nimble – and uses a strong drive to overwhelm opponents on the forecheck and quick hands to beat them in his paths to the net. Both have done nothing but sparkle with their individual efforts, and seem fully capable of translating at least some of their upside to the NHL right away. Leonard will join the best team in the league, while Perreault will join a squad currently in tight contention for the Eastern Conference’s second Wild Card. Both roles should lead to major roles that could lead the top names to quick scoring.
Plenty of other signings across the hockey world could pay off sooner rather than later. Even if they don’t, the chance to watch top prospects finally donning their NHL jerseys is hard no to be excited over. Who do you think will make the biggest impact? Vote below:
Which College Signing Will Make The Biggest Mark In 2024-25?
-
Jimmy Snuggerud (STL) 33% (303)
-
Ryan Leonard (WSH) 31% (292)
-
Gabriel Perreault (NYR) 15% (143)
-
Sam Rinzel (CHI) 10% (94)
-
Oliver Moore (CHI) 5% (46)
-
Matthew Wood (NSH) 3% (29)
Total votes: 930
For mobile users, click here to vote.
Photos courtesy of USA Today Sports.
Rangers Sign Callum Tung
4/1: The New York Rangers have officially signed Tung to a three-year, entry-level contract. Tung will turn pro after just one season in college. Tung will report to the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack for the remainder of the season, per Peter Baugh of The Athletic.
3/31: Earlier today, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that the Flames were interested in undrafted goaltender Callum Tung. It turns out they weren’t the only team seeking his services as Friedman reports (Twitter links) that the Rangers are closing in on signing the netminder with an official announcement expected on Tuesday.
The 21-year-old took over as the starting goalie at UConn down the stretch, playing in their first ever tournament games in school history in recent days where he beat Quinnipiac and lost to Penn State. On the season, he only suited up in 15 games, posting a 2.01 GAA and a .933 SV%. That earned him a spot on the Hockey East All-Rookie Team.
That’s Tung’s only NCAA experience as he spent last season with Alberni Valley of the BCHL where he put up a 2.80 GAA and a .917 SV% in 38 regular season games while recording a 2.11 GAA and a .940 SV% in 18 postseason contests. He seemed to be positioned to apprentice behind Florida prospect Tyler Muszelic for a year or two and then take over as the starter but Tung played his way into that role quicker than expected.
It’s rare for a goalie to make the jump after one college campaign, particularly one who played in fewer than half the games in that lone season. Knowing that, there’s a bit more risk-reward at play for New York. If this was just a late-season hot streak, New York will be committing three years largely based on that short stretch of games. On the other hand, if Tung is a later bloomer, they could have an intriguing prospect on their hands.
While Igor Shesterkin is entrenched as the starter for the long haul after signing an eight-year extension earlier this season, New York’s future second-string option is more up for grabs. Dylan Garand is the current favorite for that spot should the Rangers eventually promote from within once Jonathan Quick calls it a career. They also have Hugo Ollas and Talyn Boyko under contract but they’re more long shots to contend for an NHL spot. That should give Tung a chance to work his way up their depth chart over the next few seasons although that was the plan at the college level and he wound up beating that timeline well in advance.
Blackhawks Prospect Sacha Boisvert Enters Transfer Portal
It has been a busy few days for some of Chicago’s first-round picks. Over the weekend, the Blackhawks signed defenseman Sam Rinzel (a 2022 first-round pick) center Oliver Moore (a 2023 first-rounder) to entry-level contracts and gave them their NHL debuts on Sunday. One of their first-round picks from 2024 will have a new team as well, just not at the professional level.
Scott Powers of The Athletic reports (Twitter link) that center Sacha Boisvert has entered the NCAA transfer portal. After spending his freshman year at the University of North Dakota, he’ll be on the lookout for a new school to play for next season.
Boisvert was the 18th-overall selection last June following a solid second year with USHL Muskegon. The 19-year-old recorded 36 goals and 32 assists in 61 games with the Lumberjacks last season which had him ranked in the 20s by most scouting services. Clearly, Chicago felt a little stronger about his upside, selecting him with one of the top post-lottery picks.
On the surface, Boisvert’s decision to play elsewhere is a bit surprising. He had a solid freshman year for the Fighting Hawks, tallying 18 goals and 14 assists in 37 games. His 32 points led the team which is particularly notable among a group of skaters that featured 14 NHL draft picks. Already getting a prominent role, he’ll look to find a better fit somewhere else in the coming weeks.
When he was drafted, Boisvert was viewed as a bit of a project selection who would need several years of college hockey before being ready to turn pro. This news doesn’t accelerate that timeline, instead likely cementing it. But after a strong first season of college, Boisvert seems to be on the right track development-wise, even if he’s setting out to chart a new path.
2025 College Free Agency Preview: Forwards
With the NCAA tournament in full force, we’ve seen an influx of collegiate signings in recent days which is likely to continue over the next couple of weeks. Generally speaking, college free agents are rarely coming in as impact prospects with high NHL ceilings but it’s an opportunity for teams to add some depth pieces that are further along in their development compared to players coming out of major junior.
We’re changing things up a bit in our annual preview this time around. Earlier this week, Gabriel Foley took a closer look at the most prominent players from this year’s class. Meanwhile, we’ll break down the rest of the class in two separate columns, one for forwards and one for goaltenders and defensemen. We’ll start with the forwards.
As always, note that not all of these players will sign entry-level contracts as some will ultimately elect to return to college for another season (or more) while quite a few others not on this list will sign NHL or AHL deals in the coming weeks.
Dalton Bancroft (Cornell)
A player who was on this list last year, Bancroft’s stock has dipped a bit this season after a much-improved sophomore season. Even so, he finished second on the Big Red in scoring while setting a new career-best in goals with 15. Bancroft’s size and skill set profile him as a physical fourth liner and with him having some power play success in the past, he should have some interest from teams looking to add some extra depth.
Josh Eernisse (Michigan)
It’s believed Eernisse had some NHL interest last year but he opted to return to the Wolverines with the hope that he could land a bigger role and have a better season. That didn’t happen as he wound up scoring just once in 36 games. Nonetheless, his size, physicality, and speed will make him appealing to teams looking to add a fourth-line energy player. That said, coming off a down year, he might be better off going back for his senior season and trying to boost his stock.
Christian Fitzgerald (Wisconsin)
Like Eernisse, Fitzgerald transferred to a more prominent program after his freshman year and has seen his production decline since then. Nonetheless, a 16-goal showing two years ago should have him on the radar for some teams but at this point, an AHL deal might be all he could land, making him a realistic candidate to return to the Badgers next season.
T.J. Hughes (Michigan)
Hughes has been a prominent scorer over his three years with the Wolverines, averaging more than a point per game over that stretch. Even with a bit of a quieter effort this season, he still led Michigan in scoring with 38 points in 36 games. Hughes is a top-six player but can he be that in the NHL? There might be some hesitance on that one but even if he’s viewed as a possible impactful AHL piece, that should generate some strong interest.
Carter King (Denver)
The Flames are among the teams known to be interested in King who is one of the top-scoring players in this year’s free agent class. He played a prominent role last season en route to the NCAA championship and he’s playing a bigger one this season. King is a bit undersized and is already 23 but as a two-way forward – he’s a nominee for NCHC Defensive Player of the Year – he can fit in enough roles that he should have strong interest.
Joey Larson (Michigan State)
It was a bit of a quieter year for Larson compared to last season where his performance landed him a bit of NHL interest and a spot on this list. Still, he often played with new Flyers prospect Karsen Dorwart which means he has been seen by plenty of scouts. Larson has been at NHL development camps for the last three seasons and should be at a fourth but this time as a full-fledged NHL prospect.
Josh Nadeau (Maine)
Not surprisingly, the departure of his brother Bradly to Carolina hurt Nadeau’s production this season after being a high-scoring freshman in 2023-24. Still, the 21-year-old finished second on the team in assists and third in points which will have him on the radar. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him return for his junior year to see if he can boost his stock but there should be some teams kicking the tires at least.
Rhett Pitlick (Minnesota State Mankato)
The former Canadiens prospect became a free agent last summer when he briefly entered free agency before turning to the transfer portal. He set new personal bests in assists (27) and points (40) this season, eclipsing the point-per-game mark for the first time. Will that be enough to earn an NHL deal or will he have to settle for an AHL pact? That’s what we’ll find out in the coming weeks.
Ondrej Psenicka (Cornell)
Psenicka drew some NHL interest after a strong 21-point freshman season in 2021-22. However, his output never improved much over the past three seasons with his best year being this season, a 22-point showing. But at 6’6, he can be a grinding winger on the boards and could fit on a fourth line down the road, even with limited upside. Now that his eligibility is exhausted, he’ll be signing somewhere but will it be an NHL or an AHL deal?
Harrison Scott (Maine)
While Nadeau saw his numbers drop following the departure of his brother, his teammate in Scott saw his improve in his senior year, leading the Black Bears in scoring with 35 points in 38 games. Already 24, there may not be a ton of developmental runway left but he fits the profile of a bottom-six energy forward who has shown a bit of scoring touch in his two seasons at Maine.
Jack Stockfish (Holy Cross)
He’s 6’4 and a right-shot center, both attributes that will catch the attention of scouts. On top of that, Stockfish has had two solid college seasons so far, including a 15-goal, 27-point effort this year. At 22, he’s one of the younger players on this list and while he has two years of eligibility left, this might be the right time to make the jump if some NHL entry-level offers present themselves.
Riley Thompson (Ohio State)
Thompson is one of the more intriguing players out of this group. He transferred from Alaska-Anchorage for this season, a move that worked out well as he finished second on the Buckeyes in scoring with 17 goals and 16 assists. He’s also a 6’4 center which will intrigue several teams. It appears that there’s enough interest for him to land an NHL deal now but would he be better suited going back for another year to hone his game and then look to turn pro with an even stronger market?
Zach Urdahl (Nebraska-Omaha)
After two quiet years at Wisconsin, Urdahl reached the double-digit goal mark in each of the last two seasons while finishing fourth on the team in scoring. His speed will help attract some attention, making him another player who profiles as a bottom-six piece if all goes well. With his eligibility now exhausted, someone will be signing him in the coming weeks.
Lack Of Cap Space An Impediment For Lightning And Isaac Howard
With more college teams starting to be eliminated, we’re seeing an influx of NHL prospects signing contracts. With Michigan State losing on Thursday, several of their prospects will be turning pro. While it’s expected that Lightning winger Isaac Howard will be one of them, his situation might take a little longer to resolve.
Scott Wheeler of The Athletic relays (Twitter links) that Howard’s desire is to burn a year of his entry-level deal right away and join Tampa Bay for the stretch run where he could play for them, including in the playoffs. However, that’s something they can’t afford to do. Per PuckPedia, the team has just $8,372 of cap space which obviously isn’t enough to fit Howard in. Even prorating by day, they’d likely only be able to sign him with two days left in the regular season. That’s still not for another roughly three weeks and it might be harder for the team to consider using him in the playoffs after sitting for so long.
Alternatively, the Lightning could push for Howard to go to AHL Syracuse. For that to happen, he’d have to sign an entry-level deal that begins next season (eliminating his NHL eligibility this season) or sign a tryout deal with the Crunch, play with them for a bit, and then sign an NHL deal with Tampa Bay beginning this year to be playoff-eligible. The latter route is rarely taken but there is a recent instance of a player doing that; Anaheim’s Sam Colangelo took that path last season.
Howard started his college career at the University of Minnesota-Duluth in 2022-23 but went to Michigan State via the transfer portal the following year. He put up a point per game last season and found another gear offensively this year, tallying 26 goals and 26 assists in just 37 games, slotting him fifth in NCAA scoring while demonstrating he’s ready to make the jump to the pros. But with Tampa Bay’s cap situation, just how exactly he’s going to start his professional career remains in question.
Big Hype Prospects: Gadowsky, Boija, Hutson, Borgesi
College hockey has drawn into the center focus of the hockey world. The NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Tournament kicked off on Thursday, and plenty of players are calculating their next moves by entering the transfer portal or signing pro deals. That attention has lifted up the top athletes across the college world, giving us another reason to borrow from MLB Trade Rumors’ Big Hype Prospects series to share four names to watch with the season coming to an end.
Four Big Hype Prospects
Mac Gadowsky, LD, Army / U.S. Military Academy (NCAA, Atlantic Hockey America, NHL Free Agent)
38 GP – 16 G – 26 A – 42 TP – 6 PIM – +5
The final 10 Hobey Baker Finalists were revealed on March 19th. The list contains star NHL prospects like Zeev Buium and Ryan Leonard – but no name stands off the list quite like Army star Mac Gadowsky. Gadowsky was unstoppable this year, showing brazen confidence on the puck and the energy to make an all-three-zones impact on every single shift. He drove hard on and off of the puck and used his stocky six-foot-three, 185-pound frame to force opponents into tireless, gritty hockey. Gadowsky led all collegiate defensemen in goals scored, largely on the back of his ability to generate dangerous shots from the perimeter after leading the fast break. The sophomore defender found his way to 42 points this season – second among all defenders behind freshman star Cole Hutson – a significant stride forward from his 23 points in 28 games last year. Gadowsky’s motor and grit have been clear for a while, but his scoring was shielded through two years in the NAHL before he moved to Army. He’s broken out in full this year, and looks like a strong bet to earn college’s MVP title after emerging as Army’s top option.
Albin Boija, G, University of Maine (NCAA, Hockey East, NHL Free Agent)
36 GP – 23-7-6 record – .930 Sv% – 1.76 GAA
While Gadowsky sits at the center of Hobey Baker attention, star Maine goaltender Albin Boija will be close to the top of the list of snubs. He was a consistent impact for the Black Bears, working his way to the fifth-highest save percentage in the country while playing in the sixth-most games. The sophomore Boija grabbed firm control of Maine’s starter’s crease early in the season and never faltered enough to earn question. It was a performance that many expected from the 21-year-old netminder, after he posted a dazzling .916 in 18 games as Maine’s backup last season. Boija played behind Seattle Kraken draft pick Victor Ostman last season – and far outperformed the latter’s .892 save percentage. Boija’s breakout year was built on flashes of great athleticism and locked-in movements throughout the entire season. His movements and puck-tracking looked to be at a pro level through his high points this season, but he’s rumored to be headed for a return to college next year, per NHL.com’s Mark Divver. That news will be thrilling news for Maine, who gets back one of the hottest goaltenders across college, and gives Boija a chance to chase the MVP title with another dazzling year.
Quinn Hutson, F, Boston University (NCAA, Hockey East, NHL Free Agent)
34 GP – 21 G – 26 A – 47 TP – 29 PIM – +20
The Boston University Terriers ended the regular season with the most goals in their conference. At the core of their offense has been the Hutson brothers – Washington Capitals star prospect Cole, and emerging junior Quinn Hutson. Quinn has been a top scorer throughout his junior hockey career, netting a whopping 115 points in 104 games in the USHL before moving to BU in 2022-23. He’s grown in every season since, with 29 points as a freshman and 36 points as a sophomore. Both of those totals came narrowly below a point-per-game pace – a mark that Hutson blew out of the water with 21 goals and 47 points in 34 games this season. He’s shown an increased ability to create in the dangerous areas of the ice, getting pucks on net quickly in the slot and using short passes to open space with teammates. He’s not abundantly fast or strong, but plays a well-rounded game with a sharp eye for the net. Those traits, backed by a hard-nosed drive on the forecheck, will be enough to make Hutson a top pro free agent when the Terriers’ season ends.
Vinny Borgesi, RD, Northeastern University (NCAA, Hockey East, NHL Free Agent)
32 GP – 5 G – 17 A – 22 TP – 16 PIM – +1
Five-foot-eight defenseman Vincent Borgesi has been easily overlooked across his juniors career. His scoring hasn’t jumped off the page dating back to his days in the USHL – and his 22 points this season fell just shy of the 28 points he totaled in 34 games last year. But Borgesi’s confidence on and off of the puck has grown exponentially over his three years at Northeastern University. He’s found new ways to use his bulky, 175-pound frame – engaging opponents in the corners and low-slot with far more effectiveness than in year’s past. Borgesi has added those traits while maintaining his quick and snappy abilities on the puck, sparking fast breakouts and seamlessly joining the rush. He was a key driver for the Huskies this season, and offers under-the-radar upside as a puck-mover capable of holding his own away from the puck. Borgesi won’t jump off the page in the same way as his Hockey East peers, but he’ll remain a key name to watch for minor-league squads looking to bolster their ranks before the playoffs.
Prospect Notes: Kirsanov, Pinelli, Hage
With the end of the season nearing, news surrounding some of the league’s top prospects is beginning to ramp up. The Los Angeles Kings are the focal point of the latest updates, after news that Russian defender Kirill Kirsanov could sign with the team at the end of the season, per Scott Coffman of Mayor’s Manor.
The Kings drafted Kirsanov in the third round of the 2021 NHL Draft, just months after his rookie season in Russia’s KHL came to a close. He tallied just three points in 29 games in his first pro year, but showed upside as a heavy and physical presence in the defensive end. Kirsanov continued to plant his feet in the KHL in the subsequent three seasons, routinely rivaling 25 games and a few points each year. He’s found a bit more stride with Novgorod Torpedo this season, with a career-high seven points in a career-high 34 KHL games – though his best impact remains close to his end boards. It will be the six-foot-two, 220-pound frame that Los Angeles looks forward to in signing the 22-year-old Russian, as they look to find the hefty compliment for impactful youngsters like Brandt Clarke and Jordan Spence.
Other notes across the prospect world:
- The Columbus Blue Jackets have assigned 2023 fourth-round draft pick Luca Pinelli to the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters. Pinelli’s OHL season with the Ottawa 67s came to an end on Sunday. He closed the season with a team-leading 37 goals and 71 points in 52 games. That’s just narrowly ahead of his scoring pace last season, when he potted 48 goals and 82 points in 68 games. But Pinelli’s story tood tall this year, as he led a 67s roster that struggled to score when he was off the ice. Ottawa managed just 205 goals as a team, good for third-lowest in the OHL. Pinelli is a speedy puck-handler who pushes transition – and carries surprising heft and strength on the puck for his five-foot-nine frame. He’ll be an interesting prospect to watch in the pros, after scoring 252 points in 246 career games, and four seasons, in the OHL.
- Top Montreal Canadiens prospect Michael Hage has decided to return to the University of Michigan for his sophomore season, per Marco D’Amico of RG Media. Montreal drafted Hage 21st overall in the 2024 NHL Draft, after he scored 33 goals and 75 points in 54 USHL games as the Chicago Steel’s top center. He followed that performance with 13 goals and 34 points in 33 games in Michigan’s top-role this year – good for second in scoring on the Wolverines behind 23-year-old junior T.J. Hughes‘ 38 points. Hughes is viewed by many as a top college free agent this summer. His signing could open a clear path for Hage to become Michigan’s true star scorer next year. On top of many returnees on a young roster, Hage will be joined by 2025 NHL Draft prospects Cole McKinney and Aidan Park in 2025-26.