Ian Mitchell

Perunovich Contract Likely To Open Up Deals For Other Top Collegiates

March 28, 2020 at 8:57 pm CDT | by Holger Stolzenberg Leave a Comment

While many undrafted college players have already signed in the last couple of weeks, only a handful of top collegiate players have inked new deals. One of the reasons is due to questions surrounding whether players could sign contracts for this year, since it the rest of the season remains in limbo. However, with the recent signing of defenseman Scott Perunovich with the St. Louis Blues to two different contracts, that could open up a flood of players who are ready to sign contacts, according to Scott Powers of The Athletic (subscription required).

Perunovich agreed to two contracts Friday, one that would start this year (assuming the season continues), while the other would start in the 2019-20 season, although both contracts would be two-year deals. The scribe notes that St. Louis had to get NHL approval of the two contracts, which now could open up possibilities for several college players, including Chicago Blackhawks’ Ian Mitchell, Vegas Golden Knights’ Jack Dugan and Winnipeg Jets’ Dylan Samberg.

Powers uses the example of Mitchell, who wrapped up his junior season at the University of Denver and has to sign a three-year, entry-level contract due to his age. Mitchell would prefer to sign starting this season as it would immediately burn that first year.

“Right now we are waiting to see what happens with the NHL season,” the 21-year-old Mitchell wrote. “There is a freeze on contracts being signed for this season. If I were to sign a contract now, I wouldn’t be able to play this year if the season resumes. So right now it is just wait and see.”

Technically, Perunovich has not signed either contact, but will sign one of the two once it’s decided on whether the 2019-20 season will continue or not. That could be the case for any other college prospects who are eager to sign, but would prefer to sign for this year and not wait an extra year.

Mitchell continues to wait on whether there is a season this year, but is suddenly more open to signing soon after Perunovich’s deal.

“Yes, all options are on the table,” said Mitchell in a text when asked about signing a similar deal.

Powers believes that the contract itself has already been worked out, especially since Chicago has been willing to hand out “A” bonuses to their top prospects in the past and with Mitchell having the ability to threaten to return to Denver for his senior year, he is likely to get that, although it’s believed that he is leaning towards signing a pro contract.

Blackhawks Notes: Barratt, Cap Concerns, Mitchell

March 18, 2020 at 8:58 pm CDT | by Brian La Rose 2 Comments

With the college season now finished, we have seen an uptick in NCAA signings over the past few days. Don’t expect Blackhawks prospect Evan Barratt to be among those just yet. The winger told Scott Powers of The Athletic (subscription required) that he has yet to have any conversations with Chicago GM Stan Bowman about whether or not to turn pro next season. The 2017 third-round pick (90th overall) is coming off a quieter year offensively, picking up 34 points in as many games after collecting 43 in 32 contests a year ago. Nonetheless, he is one of Chicago’s better prospects and it’s likely that they will want to get a deal done to turn him pro for 2020-21. But with no talks yet, it may be a little while yet before it happens.

Blackhawks Expected To Discuss Contracts With Ian Mitchell, Evan Barratt

March 14, 2020 at 3:44 pm CDT | by Holger Stolzenberg Leave a Comment

Within the next few days, the Chicago Blackhawks are expected to begin discussion with University of Denver’s defenseman Ian Mitchell and Penn State forward Evan Barratt, both college juniors, on signing with the team on entry-level contracts, according to The Athletic’s Scott Powers and Mark Lazerus (subscription required). Early reports suggest that both have shown little interest in returning to their collegiate teams for their senior season.

Both players had their college seasons cut short due to the NCAA opting to cancel all winter championships on Thursday due to the Coronavirus. It was assumed that both players would have the first year of their entry-level deal burned if their college seasons ended before the Blackhawks’ season was over. That could conceivably still happen and a player doesn’t even have to play an NHL game to burn the first year of his contract. They just need to be on an active roster.

Regardless, Mitchell could be a key addition to a Blackhawks team that needs help on defense, whether that is this year or starting next season. Chicago was hoping to bring Mitchell in after his sophomore year at Denver, but the 21-year-old wanted to return to his team in hopes of challenging for a collegiate championship as well as to challenge for the Hobey Baker award. Mitchell had a dominant season with Denver this season, posting 10 goals and 32 points in 36 games as well as playing at the Spengler Cup for Team Canada, where he posted a goal and two points in four games.

Barratt is another surprise for a Blackhawks, who drafted the forward in the third round of 2017. Barratt is more likely to find himself starting his pro career in the AHL. He had a dominant sophomore season in 2018-19, posting 16 goals and 43 points in 32 games, but saw a minor drop in his production this season as he has 12 goals and 34 points in 34 games. Regardless, it would add another talented prospect into the team’s cupboard.

Of course, with a stoppage in work for the moment, both players and the team have plenty of time to work out a deal.

Central Notes: Jets, Mitchell, Strome, Gurianov

February 1, 2020 at 9:18 am CDT | by Brian La Rose Leave a Comment

In each of the last two seasons, the Jets have made big splashes at the trade deadline to bring in rental centers Paul Stastny and Kevin Hayes. If head coach Paul Maurice has his way, they’ll go with a different approach at this year’s deadline. Speaking with reporters, including Paul Friesen of the Winnipeg Sun, Maurice indicated he’s hoping the team doesn’t part with a top young asset for someone that’s set to be unrestricted in July:

So paying a high price for a rental, I don’t know that that makes a whole lot of sense for us. If we get a guy that can come in and play maybe more than the rest of the season, you’d think about doing that.

Winnipeg’s cap situation is tricky with the uncertainty surrounding the status of injured (and suspended) defenseman Dustin Byfuglien with a grievance on the horizon. After years of playing it safe, Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff has been more aggressive at recent deadlines but that may not be the case this time around.

Team Canada Wins 2019 Spengler Cup

December 31, 2019 at 9:05 am CDT | by Gavin Lee 2 Comments

In a 4-0 shutout of HC Ocelari Trinec, Team Canada has won the Spengler Cup for the 16th time. The Canadian contingent was filled with former NHL players including Dustin Jeffrey, who scored twice and added an assist in the title game.

Canada destroyed the competition this time around with one of the deepest teams they’ve entered, a good sign for the potential 2022 Olympics if the NHL decides not to go again. While some of these players may be too removed from action to participate at that point—Kris Versteeg for instance hinted that he was retiring when he left the Rockford IceHogs earlier this season—others will still be right in their prime and ready to compete.

Perhaps the most interesting player to watch from this Canadian group however is Ian Mitchell, who scored the second goal of today’s final on the powerplay. The 20-year old defenseman is a junior at the University of Denver whose rights are owned by the Chicago Blackhawks after they selected him 57th overall in 2017. Winning on the international stage is just another strong step in his development, one that should only help him down the line when he’s trying to crack an NHL roster filled with professional hockey players.

Canada Announces 2019 Spengler Cup Roster

December 23, 2019 at 12:15 pm CDT | by Gavin Lee 2 Comments

Dec 23: Canada has added Mathew Maione and Blair Riley to the club, two more players with plenty of international experience.

Dec 19: While most fans of international hockey are paying attention to the upcoming World Junior Championship, there is actually another high-level tournament that starts at the same time. The Spengler Cup, where several club teams from around the world gather to compete is held every year just after Christmas. Canada also submits a team in the tournament, and this year’s edition has quite a few names that should be familiar to NHL fans.

The full roster:

G Brendan Burke
G Zach Fucale
G Matt Tomkins

D Paul Postma
D Ian Mitchell
D Alex Grant
D Patrick Wiercioch
D Andrew MacDonald
D Maxim Noreau

F Adam Tambellini
F Kris Versteeg
F Dustin Jeffrey
F Eric Fehr
F Justin Danforth
F Scottie Upshall
F Cory Emmerton
F Daniel Winnik
F Kevin Clark
F Ben Maxwell
F David Desharnais
F Josh Jooris
F Chris DiDomenico

Mitchell immediately stands out in the group, given that unlike many of the other former NHLers, he hasn’t even had his chance at the highest level so far. The Chicago Blackhawks draft pick is still just 20 years old and in his junior year at the University of Denver.

Obviously the Spengler Cup doesn’t come with a whole lot of name recognition, but some of these players could be considered at the next Olympics should the NHL decide not to attend in 2022.

The tournament kicks off on December 26th in Davos, Switzerland.

Prospect Notes: Mitchell, Gallagher, Mercer

December 14, 2019 at 10:59 am CDT | by Zach Leach 2 Comments

University of Denver defenseman Ian Mitchell has outgrown the World Junior ranks, but he still plans to take part in an upcoming international competition. TSN’s Darren Dreger reports that Hockey Canada is close to finalizing its roster for the Spengler Cup, an invitational tournament held in Davos, Switzerland every December, and he lists Mitchell as the team’s standout amatuer participant. The Chicago prospect has been considered pro-ready for a couple of years now and the Blackhawks have tried unsuccessfully to convince him to leave school. Now a junior at Denver, it seems likely that Mitchell will finally end his NCAA career after this season and a competition against mature adult talent will be telling as to how he may perform for Chicago next year. Mitchell is expected to join a Team Canada roster with considerable NHL experience, another developmental benefit for Mitchell. Dreger lists Kris Versteeg, Scottie Upshall, Daniel Winnik, Eric Fehr, and Paul Postma as other participants.

A young defenseman hoping to follow in the footsteps of a top collegiate prospect like Mitchell is just beginning the process. 16-year-old Ty Gallagher has made his own college commitment, announcing that he will play at the University of Notre Dame. Gallagher is currently playing for the U-17 team for the US. National Team Development Program, leading the program’s defensemen with nine goals, and is already catching the eye of NHL scouts. The 2021 prospect is expected to be highly sought-after by the time his draft roles around, although he will have to compete against his own teammates like Luke Hughes (Michigan), Aidan Hreschuk (Boston College), and Sean Behrens (Denver) for the billing of top American defenseman in the class.
A 2020 prospect who has drawn interest from NHL teams is also drawing interest from his QMJHL competitors. Winger Dawson Mercer of the Drummondville Voltigeurs, expected to be a first-round pick (at the very least) in June, finds himself having an excellent season with 42 points in 26 games. However, Mercer is arguably the lone standout on a Drummondville team without much star power. The Voltigeurs are holding their own in the QMJHL standings, but are extremely lacking in top young assets. As such, Mercer has been linked to not one but two different trade rumors in the past week. In one hypothetical move, which would see Mercer head to the Chicoutimi Sagueneens, Drummondville would be getting back another forward, two first-round picks, and two second-round picks, which would certainly help the Voltigeurs rebuild. It seems that a Mercer trade is a question of when and to whom rather than if, followed by the issue of whether the change in scenery affects his production ahead of the draft.

College Hockey Round-Up: 10/30/19

October 30, 2019 at 9:01 pm CDT | by Zach Leach 1 Comment

The college hockey season is a month old, but only a handful of teams have played more than six games so far. Yet, just three schools remain undefeated (not including the Ivy League’s of course, who have yet to begin play.) Those three teams are No. 1 Denver, No. 2 Minnesota State, and No. 5 Notre Dame. The Pioneers are an impressive 6-0 and have a good chance of remaining unbeaten through their upcoming weekend series with Niagara. The Mavericks are 5-0-1, with their one tie coming against another national powerhouse, No. 14 North Dakota. Other than that one tie, Minnesota State has allowed just four goals in their five wins. The Fighting Irish sit in fifth nationally behind UMass and Cornell as their 4-0 record has not exactly featured the most menacing competition in Air Force and Lake Superior State. Yet, as they begin Big Ten Conference play, Notre Dame is sure to be tested with series against Minnesota, No. 13 Ohio State, and No. 7 Wisconsin next up. Which team will stay undefeated the longest? And could an Ivy League like Cornell or Harvard enter the battle of the unbeaten?

Recent Results

Two weeks ago, college hockey fans were treated to an epic early-season clash between the defending NCAA champions, No. 6 Minnesota-Duluth, and a popular pick to win it all this season, Wisconsin. The two-game series in Madison wasn’t as close as many expected though, as the young, star-studded Badgers took both games by a combined score of 9-3. The Bulldogs edged out two wins against their flagship rival Minnesota this past weekend to sit at 3-3 on the year and have their recent seasons of dominance to thank for their continued presence in the top ten, but that won’t save them all season. Meanwhile, Wisconsin suffered a shutout loss to No. 11 Clarkson this weekend, but picked up the win in the second game. Through six games, the team is tied for the NCAA lead in goals for, led by college hockey’s top goal-scorer, Cole Caufield (MTL), and his fellow first-round pick Alex Turcotte (LAK).

The program tied at the top of the scoring race with the Badgers is No. 8 Providence College. The Friars are spreading the scoring wealth, with three players among the top six in points. Jack Dugan (VGK) and his 14 points lead the NCAA by a relatively wide margin, as the 2017 fifth-round pick is off to a blazing start. Tyce Thompson (NJD) is tied for second with 11 points and Greg Printz, who led the way after two weeks, sits in sixth. Despite the considerable offense from Providence, the team is 4-2 with a stunning loss to Holy Cross early on and a heartbreaker against No. 17 UMass Lowell this weekend.

And what of the top teams in the country? Denver has certainly earned their top billing in college hockey so far. They picked up two wins against a loaded No. 15 Boston College squad two weeks back, including a 3-0 shutout. Freshman keeper Magnus Chrona (TBL) continues to be stellar in net with a .930 save percentage and 1.83 GAA in six wins for the Pioneers, while highly-regarded defenseman Ian Mitchell (CHI) is one of the league leaders in scoring among defenseman. Also among that group is UMass freshman Zac Jones (NYR), who is showing that the Minutemen can indeed survive without Cale Makar. After a tough loss to Northeastern – and arguably the best goalie in college hockey thus far, graduate transfer Craig Pantano – UMass rebounded with a convincing sweep of Union and a win over nearby American International. Behind a shutdown tandem of Matt Murray and Filip Lindberg (MIN), it may prove hard for opponents to pick up wins in Amherst this year. The team hopes to prove that point when they face the Huskies again in a home-and-home this weekend. Finally, Minnesota State stayed unbeaten with a win and tie against North Dakota and two easy W’s against Alabama-Huntsville. The team’s stingy defense – eight goals allowed in six games – and the serious skill of Nathan Smith (WPG) make Mankato a dangerous place to play this season.

What To Expect From Cornell

The Cornell Big Red have played exactly zero games so far this season. Yet, they have held on to their No. 4 spot through a month of play. After an impressive 2018-19 campaign, expectations are high for Cornell to replicate their success. But are those expectations realistic?

The team unofficially kicked off their season this weekend with an exhibition game against the U.S. National Team Development Program. While this isn’t the historic USNTDP group of last year, it is still a talented squad that features many of the players who will be star freshman in the NCAA next year. Yet, the Big Red made them look like the junior team they are, shutting out the American standouts 3-0. Next up is Michigan State, before they begin their ECAC schedule.

The unrivaled star of the team is Morgan Barron (NYR). The Rangers pick has far exceeded his sixth round expectations already and just narrowly missed out on a point-per-game campaign last year. Barron led Cornell in goals and points last season with his physical brand of offensive ability. However, he’s now missing the lightning to his thunder, as slick winger Mitchell Vanderlaan graduated and moved on to the ECHL. If the Big Red are to avoid regression this season, Barron will need to be even better and the likes of Cam Donaldson, Michael Regush, and impressive goaltender Matthew Galajda will have to step up. Fortunately, the veteran group is accustomed to playing with one another; it’s one of the team’s greatest strengths and could allow a potential impact freshman like defenseman Alex Green (TBL) to play a more confident game right away.

Connor Mackey Drawing Interest

While Minnesota State’s defensive prowess over the past few years has most often been credited to talented netminder Dryden McKay, NHL scouts have their eyes on another key member of that effort. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports that defenseman Connor Mackey has met with at least seven NHL teams about his impending free agency. Mackey is expected to be one of the top college free agents available this spring.

Many actually believed Mackey, 23, would turn pro this past summer, but he decided to go for another run at an NCAA title with the Mavericks. However, it’s hard to imagine the junior blue liner making that decision a second time. Mackey already has four points in six games to go along with a team-leading 13 penalty minutes, which is right in line with last season, when he recorded 25 points a team-high 55 penalty minutes. A dual-threat puck-mover and physical force, Mackey plays a well-rounded style and has matured his game at the college level. Mackey may not have elite skill, size, or skating ability, but he does everything well and projects as an all-situations defender at the pro level.

Friedman speculates that the Winnipeg Jets, who suddenly have a massive need for both immediate and long-term defensive help, could be the top suitor for Mackey’s talents. However, the Minnesota Wild are surely keeping an eye on the nearby prospect, while the Chicago Blackhawks could also pursue the Illinois native. And that’s just three teams. With at least seven interested in October, it could be quite the pursuit later this season when Mackey moves on from Mankato and begins his pro career.

College Hockey Round-Up: 10/17/19

October 17, 2019 at 7:26 pm CDT | by Zach Leach 2 Comments

Welcome to a new bi-weekly column at Pro Hockey Rumors, where we’ll stray from the “pro” in favor of the “soon-to-be pro”. The depth of talent at the college level in hockey is at an all-time high. Of the 217 players selected in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, 72 were either enrolled or committed to an NCAA institution, with others likely to follow suit. This included nine first-round picks, including eight from the lauded U.S. National Team Development Program. The talent level is also evident in the parity between NCAA programs. Of the 16 teams in the 2019 NCAA Tournament, only six had won a national championship and historic powerhouses Boston College, Boston University, Michigan, Minnesota and North Dakota were all absent for the first time since 1970. College hockey is growing – in ability, popularity, and geography – and we here at PHR hope you will enjoy the expanded coverage that the collegiate level has earned.

The Season Begins

The NCAA season is only about two weeks old, getting underway back on Saturday, October 5th. Yet, there has already been rankings movement among the Top 20 teams in the country, after some impressive performances.

While most top teams schedule cushy match-ups for opening weekend, No. 13 Providence College and the University of Maine got right to it with an early Hockey East clash. It wasn’t the battle many expected though, as the Friars cruised to a 7-0 win. Mostly due to that blowout, through two games Providence’s Greg Printz is the top per-game goal scorer in the NCAA with five tallies, as well as one helper.

This past weekend featured more heavyweight bouts, including the No. 3 University of Minnesota-Duluth facing the first test in their pursuit of a third straight championship. They faced No. 18 University of Massachusetts Lowell in a two-game home series and it was the River Hawks who took the first game, 3-2. While the Bulldogs edged out the 2-1 win in game two, the early-season loss was enough to bounce them from the No. 1 ranking. As for UMass Lowell, the team entered the Top 20 with a 3-1 start to the year, led by goaltender Tyler Wall (NYR), who boasts a .942 save percentage thus far.

In a battle between star-studded squads, No. 6 Boston College took down No. 17 University of Wisconsin by a score of 5-3. The game featured five 2019 first-round picks in Alex Turcotte (LAK) and Cole Caufield (MTL) for the Badgers and Spencer Knight (FLA), Matthew Boldy (MIN), and Alex Newhook (COL) for the Eagles. Wisconsin took their frustration from the loss out on a different Hockey East the following night, scoring eleven goals in a win over Merrimack College. In his first two college games, Caufield recorded four goals and five points and it certainly looks like his torrid scoring pace from the USNTDP could continue in the NCAA. Meanwhile, Caufield’s former teammate Knight is also continuing his dominance despite transitioning to the college level. He has a .954 save percentage and perfect 2-0 record thus far with BC.

The No. 1 ranked team in the country is now the University of Denver. The Pioneers have jumped out to a 4-0 record and, while their competition has not been elite, most teams haven’t even played four games, nevertheless won all four. Freshman goaltender Magnus Chrona (TBL) manned the net in all four wins, posting a .935 save percentage and 1.75 goals against average, getting off to a hot start. Ian Mitchell (CHI), Bobby Brink (PHI), and the rest of the Pioneers will face their first real test this coming weekend when they host Boston College.

Other standout performances from the first two weeks of the season came from a pair of intriguing undrafted prospects. Speedy senior forward Nate Sucese of No. 9 Penn State University is the NCAA’s scoring leader with seven points in just two games. In net, No. 2 Minnesota State University got a stellar performance from keeper Dryden McKay as he won his first two games while sporting a .975 save percentage.

College Commitments

Penn State may be losing Sucese at the end of this season, but they may already have a suitable replacement waiting in the wings. Small but skilled 16-year-old forward Colby Saganiuk announced that he has committed to play his college hockey for the Nittany Lions. A current member of the USNTDP’s U-17 team, Saganiuk is unlikely to arrive at State College, PA until at least 2021, but when he does he will make an instant impact. Already on the radar for the 2021 NHL Draft, Saganiuk scored at a point-per-game clip for the U-16 Pittsburgh Penguins Elite last year and will grow tremendously with the USNTDP.

Saganiuk’s teammate with the USNTDP and fellow top 2021 draft prospect Matthew Beniers has also planned his college career. Beniers will attend Harvard University and reportedly will enroll next year. While Beniers is just 16, the talented center has played exclusively with the U-18 team with the USNTDP so far this season and played in 20 games with the top team last year compared to 42 with the U-17 team. A mature player with a well-rounded game, Beniers will be one of the top players to watch in college hockey next season, likely as the top draft-eligible prospect playing in the NCAA.

Draft Watch

Wisconsin forward Dylan Holloway and University of Connecticut defenseman Yan Kuznetsov may be the only current college players who will be drafted next June, but there are plenty of future NCAA players set to be selected. NHL Central Scouting released a preliminary watch list last week for the upcoming draft class which featured a number of USNTDP standouts headed for the college level. University of North Dakota commit Jake Sanderson led the way with an “A” rating, alongside Ty Smilanic, who has yet to decide on his college destination. One of these two is likely to follow Holloway as the top college-bound player selected this summer. Sanderson’s current teammate and fellow North Dakota prospect Tyler Kleven, University of Michigan commit Thomas Bordeleau, Boston College commit Eamon Powell, Boston University duo Luke Tuch and Dylan Peterson, and undecided Brock Faber all received “B” ratings and could push for first-round consideration. Ten other USNTDP players received “C” ratings. While this draft class may not be nearly as strong as last season’s historic group when it comes to Americans and NCAA prospects, many of these players will be high picks and future pros, after they take their talents to the college game.

2019-20 NCAA Players To Watch

October 3, 2019 at 8:09 pm CDT | by Zach Leach 2 Comments

Following their professional and junior counterparts, the college hockey season is about to get underway this weekend. With each passing year, the NCAA’s influence on the world of hockey grows. The NHL boasts more than a few top rookies fresh out of the college ranks this season and many elite prospects still in school in 2018-19 will soon join them. This year’s crop of talent is sticking with the trend, with several players in need of watching:

The Recent Draft Picks

G Spencer Knight, Boston College (FLA): When Knight was selected by the Panthers 13th overall in June, he became the highest selected goaltender this decade after Jack Campbell went No. 11 overall in 2010. Considered the best prospect goalie in an NHL pipeline – at least until Yaroslav Askarov hears his name called next year – Knight is a special prospect and easily a top name to watch in the NCAA. It’s hard to know just how well the USNTDP product will perform right out of the gate for a strong BC squad, and on top of that how long it may take for him to be pro-ready. However, if he can translate his junior game to the college level, Florida will want to test that same progression in the pros sooner rather than later.

F Matthew Boldy, Boston College (MIN): Speaking of the Eagles, they nabbed another top pick in this year’s recruiting class in the dynamic winger Boldy. A rare combination of skill and finesse with size and strength, the Wild landed a gem at No. 12. A teammate of Knights with the USNTDP and now at BC, Boldy stands a better chance of making an immediate impact at the college level. The pairing of his stature and his talent – both above average – should give him a leg up against some older, more experienced NCAA competition. Expect he and fellow first-rounder Alex Newhook (COL) to get off to a hot start.

F Trevor Zegras, Boston University (ANA): Across town, Zegras and six other 2019 NHL Draft selections are set to take the ice for the rival Terriers. Zegras is a dynamic play-maker who few expected to fall to the Ducks at No. 9. Zegras brings a high-energy game in all three zones that his bound to create chances for he and his BU teammates. After losing much of last year’s talent to the pros, the Terriers need Zegras to step into a lead scoring role right away and he is likely up for the task. The USNTDP standout has already showed that he can put up big numbers against tough competition.

D Cam York, University of Michigan (PHI): Rounding out the top four recent draft picks to watch in the NCAA this year is yet another USNTDP product, but the first defenseman on the list. York is a skilled blue liner who sees the ice extremely well for a player his age. His skating allows him to be omnipresent on the ice and an asset in all three zones. Highly-drafted defensemen have excelled at the college level of late, namely Cale Makar and Quinn Hughes. The Wolverines hope lightning strikes twice by replacing Hughes with York. Fellow first-round pick John Beecher (BOS) will also be around to help out in Michigan this season.

The Soon-To-Be Draft Picks

F Dylan Holloway, University of Wisconsin: A string of years with at least one top draft prospect coming out of the NCAA came to a screeching halt last year, with the college level having nearly no current players of note in the early rounds. That will change this year, as Holloway begins the season as a consensus top-ten pick in 2020. The polished winger dominated the Alberta Junior Hockey League last year, posting 88 points in just 53 games. He brings a complete arsenal of skill, speed, and aggression, but will need to use his college campaign to work on increasing his positional awareness. If he can replicate his scoring success and improve his hockey IQ, Holloway could enter top five territory next summer.

D Yan Kuznetsov, University of Connecticut: Kuznetsov is not the same caliber player as Holloway, but an exciting talent nonetheless for the Huskies. The Russian defenseman came over to North America last season and made a strong first impression in the USHL. Not one to put up lots of points, Kuznetsov is instead a solid shutdown defender who also moves the puck well. At 6’3”, 200 lbs., Kuznetsov has menacing size for a 17-year-old and isn’t afraid to play a tough game, but is also a smooth skater and an asset in puck possession. While not a flashy prospect, Kuznetsov could surprise with his confidence as a freshman in the NCAA and move up draft boards.

The Soon-To-Be NHLers

F Evan Barratt, Penn State University (CHI): One of the best players at the college level last season, Barratt took a major leap forward in his development. The third-round prospect had a quiet freshman year but exploded for 43 points in just 32 games as a sophomore, among the top five per-game scorers in the NCAA. Barratt’s ability to think the game is matched only by his ability to act on those thoughts. A great play-maker with an eye for creating scoring opportunities, Barratt doesn’t need to be the fastest or strongest player on the ice to make a difference. He seems ready to test his hockey sense at the pro level already and almost certainly will be signing with the Blackhawks after this season. Penn State can enjoy one last season with their star center.

D Ian Mitchell, University of Denver (CHI): Chicago nearly convinced Mitchell to leave school early this summer, but he’ll return to the Pioneers for one last season. A smart, two-way defenseman, Mitchell plays a largely mistake-free game. He contributes on offense, but rarely at the cost of defensive liability and uses his skating to get up and down the ice with ease. He pairs a good shot with a strong outlet pass to both start and finish offensively. A modern-day NHL defenseman in many ways, Mitchell truly plays the position well and will be a regular at the top level in no time.

D Scott Perunovich, University of Minnesota-Duluth (STL): A two-time NCAA champion has to be doing something right. While plenty of talented players have moved on from Duluth over the past two years, Perunovich is still there and still making an impact. A dynamic offensive defenseman, Perunovich is a power play magician and a creative play-maker at even strength as well. A talented puck-mover who doesn’t let his size deter him from jumping into a play and taking battles in tough areas, Perunovich is undoubtedly a fun player to watch. An added benefit of catching some Bulldogs action is fellow blue line prospect Dylan Samberg (WPG), who brings the smash to Perunovich’s dash as an elite NCAA pairing.

F Mitchell Chaffee, University of Massachusetts: At the top of the list among potential NCAA free agents is the sharp-shooting Chaffee. A member of the UMass team that made a run to the NCAA Finals last year, Chaffee was better than a point per game scorer, finishing in the top-20 in goals and points and amassing a top-ten plus/minus rating. Chaffee plays a mature, intelligent game but not without some grit and energy as well. He does whatever it takes to put himself in scoring position. With the Minutemen losing several core players to the pros, look for Chaffee to take on an even bigger role as he tries to establish himself as an NHL-caliber prospect. Bowling Green ace center Max Johnson and veteran North Dakota defenseman Colton Poolman are other potential premier college free agents to watch for.

The University of Wisconsin

Every year there is one team whose NHL pedigree jumps off the page. Sometimes those teams don’t necessary put it all together, but they’re still fun to watch. Wisconsin is that team this year, and frankly it’s not that close even with the influx of talent to the likes of BC, BU, and others. You already heard about Holloway, but take a look at who else is suiting up for the Badgers this year:

F Alex Turcotte (LAK): The highest-drafted player in the NCAA, Turcotte was the No. 5 overall pick by the Kings in June and considered by some to be the most complete player in the draft class. Injuries slowed down his season with the USNTDP last year, but he still accounted for 62 points in just 37 games. A two-way skill set and intelligence, play-making ability and elite offensive instincts, and a competitive, hard-nosed style are just some of the elements to Turcotte’s game that should make him the most talented player in college hockey this season.

F Cole Caufield (MTL): Caufield is coming off a record-setting campaign with the USNTDP. While he spent most of his time skating alongside Jack Hughes, he is more than familiar with Turcotte which should make his adjustment to the NCAA smoother. Caufield’s size can be a liability, but it’s a risk that Wisconsin will gladly take in exchange for his natural goal-scoring ability. Caufield potted 72 goals as part of a 100-point campaign last year that established him as one of the most dangerous shooters in hockey – yes, all of hockey. Caufield works hard, skates fast, and puts himself in a situation to score with great frequency. An electrifying talent, Caufield will almost certainly follow Turcotte to the NHL next season (the Canadiens can hardly wait) but until then the duo should do some damage in the NCAA this year. Unbelievably, fellow USNTDP teammates Owen Lindmark (FLA) and Ryder Donovan (VGK) also join Turcotte and Caufield with the Badgers this year.

D K’Andre Miller (NYR): It doesn’t stop there, either. Wisconsin has top NHL talent on the blue line as well, primarily in first-round defender Miller. A big, strong defender who also has the tools to contribute on offense, Miller is a special player. Considered a raw talent when drafter, Miller immediately showed last year that there was more to his game than just athleticism. Miller plays an instinctual style of hockey, which allows him to excel with defensive positioning as well as awareness of when to jump in on offense. He truly has a presence on the ice and there is still room to improve into an elite prospect, especially with so much ability surrounding him this season. He could very well join the Rangers right away next season if he continues to progress. Look for pair-mate Ty Emberson (ARI) to take a step forward in his own development this year as well.

Load More Posts

Headlines