MOST UNDERRATED COLLEGE HOCKEY PLAYERS OF 2021
TABLE OF TIERS
TIER III… NOT GETTING ENOUGH RECOGNITION (20-15)
TIER II… FLYING UNDER THE RADAR (14-10)
TIER I… THE, “OH YEAHS” (9-1)
Ft. Brett Berard, Wyatt Kaiser, Shane Pinto....
Do you remember where Joe Pavelski went to College? How about Ryan St. Louis, or you know what, how about Logan O’Connor? Around 75% of hockey fans know the answers to the first two which Joe Pavelski went to Wisconsin, and Ryan St. Louis went to Vermont, but Logan O’Connor… who’s that? Well he’s a standout rookie for the Colorado Avalanche that has, as of now 2 goals, in 3 games, and is tied for 3rd in rookie goal scoring with players like Dylan Cozens, Josh Norris, and Ty Smith. So where did he go? Well he played on that 2017 national championship team that defeated the great UMD Bulldogs there, he played for the Denver Pioneers, and that year tallied 7 goals, 11 assists, 18 points, in 44 games played as a junior. See, the whole concept of underrated players is based off of two simple things: Information, and Opinion. You can know more about a player than somebody else, but somebody can know more about a different player. And until you know, and have seen that player play you can’t judge him. And I’m here to today give you my information, and opinion on 20 college hockey players that I think should crack this list.
TIER III… NOT GETTING ENOUGH RECOGNITION
No. 20, Zachary Jones, D, UMass (Amherst)
Drafted: 3, 68th NY Rangers, 2019
5’10” 172lbs.
Stats:
2019-2020: 3 G, 20 A, 23 P, 32 GP, +12, 24 PIM
2020-2021: 5 G, 11 A, 16 P, 19 GP, +6, 4 PIM
Zac Jones has so far been one of the most underrated offensive defensemen in the NCAA this season. So far he is tied for 8th with the best PPG of any defensemen in the NCAA this year with a 0.84 points per game. His transition game, and puck carrying ability, combined with his smarts are really what make him such a dangerous defensemen. I’m sure that the New York Rangers are pleased to have him in their system, and perhaps a future perfect D partner for Adam Fox, my wouldn't that be something! He’ll need perhaps his entire 4 years in eligibility, and if not at least 1 half year at the very least in the minors with the Hartford Wolf Pack. Either way he has the potential to be a 50 point defensemen in the NHL with a high end defensive toolset.
No. 19, Matthew Boldy, LW/C, Boston College
Drafted: 1, 12th overall, Minnesota Wild, 2019
6’2” 194lbs.
Stats:
2019-2020: 9 G, 17 A, 26 P, 34 GP, +16, 8 PIM
2020-2021: 5 G, 9 A, 14 P, 13 GP, +9, 4 PIM
Matthew Boldy has taken big strides in his development this year and I feel like nobody has really taken that in consideration, there looking at him, and saying, “he’s good,” and not really identifying the difference from last year to this year. Working as a 2nd line center really wasn’t his thing last year, especially since he wasn’t exactly given the best players around him, and really never played center very consistently. This year though, he is back playing on the wing, and has thrived with teammates such as Trevor Kuntar, and Colby Ambrosio. He’s become a fantastic skater, with great straight line speed, and what makes him even more dangerous is that his hands are as fast as his feet. Making defenders look silly isn’t the only thing he is good at though. His shot, and playmaking ability are both top notch, and I expect big production the rest of the year, and it would really stink if he only got to play around 20 games, and doesn’t return the next year, cause I really want to see what he would look like like this in a full season. He’s also the perfect prospect for the Minnesota Wild system expecting they will target defense in this year's draft. If he got to play on the first line with Marco Rossi centering him, and Kirill Kaprizov on his wing then give Dean Evason a gold star, perfect!
No. 18, Shane Pinto, C, North Dakota
Drafted: 2, 32nd overall, Ottawa Senators, 2019
6’3” 194lbs.
Stats:
2019-2020: 16 G, 12 A, 28 P, 33 GP, +19, 46 PIM
2020-2021: 11 G, 12 A, 23 P, 18 GP, +13, 2 PIM
Shane Pinto has slowly but surely been becoming one of the top prospects in the NCAA, and even the world. He has flourished in the North Dakota system thus far, and has really become a breakout NCAA star, but yet, know one is talking about it. He has almost beat his production from last year in 15 less games, and I mean it would be one thing if it was like 5, but I mean 15! Come on! As well as also improving his skating, and defensive game, Shane Pinto looks like he could just might be that future superstar for the Ottawa Senators. When he comes to the NHL, it would also be nice to see him on the 2nd-3rd line with some complimentary pieces, like Tim Stützle, and/or Drake Batherson.
No. 17, Noah Cates, LW, Minnesota-Duluth
Drafted: 5, 137th overall, Philadelphia Flyers, 2017
6’2” 190lbs.
Stats:
2019-2020: 14 G, 19 A, 33 P, 34 GP, +7, 35 PIM
2020-2021: 5 G, 10 A, 15 P, 19 GP, +6, 21 PIM
Noah Cates is a very good, complimentary piece to any team in the NHL, and in this case it’s the Philly Flyers. Despite Cates great season last year, Cates has still been among the best, and most well rounded wingers in the NCAA. He has very good skating for someone of his size, and can maneuver around the ice with ease, and find holes in the opposing defence often leading to great A scoring chances. He’s a very reliable meat, and potatoes winger, which is something that you don’t often get. What comes with this is the fact that he also is a great special teamer, and can line up with anybody on the power play, or penalty kill, and he’ll make them better. Even though he won’t play in the NHL for a good while, I think he can turn out to be a poor man's version of Blake Wheeler. Because 1) it’ll take a long time for him to break out into a potential start just like it took Wheeler a long time, and 2) although he may not have the scoring upside just yet, he has a great defensive game, and has the skills, and toolset to be an elite offensive winger.
No. 16, Jordan Kawaguchi, C, North Dakota
Drafted: FA
5’9” 185lbs.
Stats:
2019-2020: 15 G, 30 A, 45 A, 33 GP, +21, 8 PIM
2020-2021: 5 G, 16 A, 21 P, 18 GP, +5, 24 PIM
Jordan Kawaguchi remains the best NCAA FA this season, even if he really hasn’t lived up to the full Hobey Baker hype yet. Do I think he will win the Hobey Baker, well that’s a different story, but I do think he’ll definitely finish around the top 5 if not 3. He’s an extremely agile, and quick center man that can score like that, and make highlight reel plays. He also has the leadership of someone like Noah Cates, and can bring a team together. He’s been a big part in why Shane Pinto is having such a good year, and a big part in why North Dakota is having such a great year. Though he might not play in the NHL for a good while, there's a good chance he will, and I really don’t see why he wouldn’t be able to play in the NHL either. He’s really just another player that every team wants, and you would love to have on roster which is just another great trait of Kawaguchi’s great game.
No. 15, Nick Swaney, RW, Minnesota-Duluth
Drafted: 7, 209th overall, Minnesota Wild, 2017
5’11” 174lbs.
Stats:
2019-2020: 12 G, 14 A, 26 P, 31 GP, +8, 4 PIM
2020-2021: 9 G, 14 A, 23 P, 19 GP, +8, 8 PIM
Nick Swaney, along with Noah Cates, have been two of the most consistent, and well rounded Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs over their time there. Sadly, Swaney is playing his last year in college hockey, but with 2 NCAA championships under his belt, and a career year last year where he put up 12 goals, 14 assists, and 26 points in 31 games, Swaney is looking to duplicate his success playing with the likes of Noah Cates, and Jackson Cates on UMD’s top line. He’s a hardworking player that can make a living in front of the net, but still possesses some talent, making very smart plays. He’s not a player that will consistently leave you in awe, but is one of the most NHL ready hockey players in the NCAA. I see him as a future 3rd liner, that can get some 2nd line time, that will get a lot of time in the penalty kill. He deserves more than he gets, and is just a very solid two way player. Despite all of this I see him as one of the most underrated players in the NCAA because he can put up points while still maintaining this all. I see him as even a Hobey Baker dark horse for the 2021 season.
TIER II… FLYING UNDER THE RADAR
No. 14., Alexander Campbell, LW/C, Clarkson
Drafted: 3, 65th overall, Nashville Predators, 2019
5’11” 181lbs.
Stats:
2019-2020: (Omaha Lancers, USHL) 18 G, 39 A, 57 P, 46 GP, +11, 8 PIM
2020-2021: (Clarkson), 4 G, 12 A, 16 P, 20 GP, +9, 2 PIM
Alexander Campbell has been a bit of a dark horse the past 2 years, but nevertheless has still been developing extremely well in both the USHL, and the NCAA for the first few bits of the season. Although he’s fallen in a bit of a slump throughout the last 5 games of the season, he’s played some very good hockey, and few really emphasize that this is just his first year, and he’s most definitely going to be playing at least 2 more years at Clarkson. He’s a quick thinking, electric offensive winger that can also play center. He has top notch vision, and play making, and I can’t wait to see, not only in this year's NCAA tournament, but next year when he fully adjusts to the level of play, because once he does watch out. He feeds off of space that he fools opposing defensemen into giving him because they are so afraid of him blowing past them. If he can ever translate well into the NHL, which I hope he does, then watch out! This kid can become something very special.
No. 13., Veeti Miettinen, RW, St. Cloud State
Drafted: 6, 168th overall, Toronto Maple Leafs, 2020
5’9” 159lbs.
Stats:
2019-2020: (Kiekko-Espoo U20, Jr. A SM-Liiga), 42 G, 31 A, 73 P, 52 GP, +3, 6 PIM
2020-2021: (St. Cloud State), 9 G, 12 A, 21 P, 19 GP, +9, 0 PIM
Oh yeah, did you forget about the kid that unnecessarily fell in his draft year because he was born 4 days after the cutoff date, and lit up a U20 league when he was 16? Because I think he’s translated pretty darn well to the North American game, and especially the St. Cloud State University hockey system! Veeti Miettinen has seemingly overnight become one of the most underrated college hockey players there are, and really one of the most underrated hockey players in the world. He has really improved his skating, and become a quick, shifty, and somewhat fast undersized offensive dynamo. He’s one of the best forecheckers in the nation, and is always 110%. He has a great shot, as well as vision, hockey IQ, and playmaking ability. He is a threat to score whenever he is on the ice, and I think one day he could be a good NHL player. He kind of reminds me of Rocco Grimaldi of the Nashville Predators in the sense of he’ll score a lot of points, and go very under the radar just because of his size. He has one of the highest ceilings of any player to come out of the 2020 NHL draft, and I think it was an absolute steal to get him at puck 168 in the 6th round.
No. 12, Colby Ambrosio, C, Boston College
Drafted: 4, 118th overall, Colorado Avalanche, 2020
5’9” 170lbs.
Stats:
2019-2020: (Tri-City Storm, USHL), 26 G, 24 A, 50 P, 48 GP, +2, 54 PIM
2020-2021: (Boston College), 6 G, 5 A, 11 P, 15 GP, +8, 6 PIM
Colby Ambrosio is one of the most improved players from last year to this year, and has really been able to showcase his elite puck skills, puck moving ability, and skating. Speaking of skating, he has been one of the top skaters in the nation for a while now, and his agility is simply unheard of. Another thing I like about his game is his ability to mix his skating into his playmaking, and ability to get open, because last year he was known for having glimpses of potential, but just not being able to put it all together. But this year I think it’s safe to say he’s taken that big step in his game we were all waiting for, and has really become a stud. And even though he has slowed down a little bit, he has still maintained his elite status. I believe he has top line upside, and will bean,w to score 50-70 points consistently throughout his career. A good comparable would be Nick Suzuki. As they are both two elite centers that can skate extremely well, without being all star-like fast, and also have very good two way games.
No. 11, Trevor Kuntar, C/LW, Boston College
Drafted: 3, 89th overall, Boston Bruins, 2020
6’0” 196lbs.
Stats:
2019-2020: (Youngstown Phantoms, USHL), 28 G, 25 A, 53 P, 44 GP, -8, 83 PIM
2020-2021: (Boston College), 5 G, 3 A, 8 P, 15 GP, +5, 27 PIM
With the 2nd BC player in a row we have Trevor Kuntar, and I always found Kuntar to be a pretty interesting case. Because he has the tools, and the skill, and sometimes even the skating, but at the same time he is always very inconsistent. Because one night you could have a star putting up 5 points, and another night you could have a lazy, look-like-a-4th liner, but this year he has proved many of the doubters wrong by majorly improving his skating to the point where he doesn’t even need the straight line speed, because you can’t touch him anyway. He has really demonstrated his elite skill, and goal scoring ability, and has even improved his vision. And despite this he is still a bit buried on a very stacked Boston College team. Often playing on the third line with players such as Harrison Roy, and Mike Hardman. And I’m not saying that those are two bad players, with Roy a young freshman with some upside, and Hardman a 25 point scorer entering his sophomore year, but the thing is he’s always operated better at the wing, or with some major talent around him when playing center. So we haven’t exactly seen eye popping numbers, but given that he’s been a lot more consistent, and has shown incredible skill, there’s a good chance we’ll see a breakout year either next year, or in the few years to come.
No. 10, Connor Ford, RW, Bowling Green
Drafted: FA
6’ 187lbs.
Stats:
2019-2020: 12 G, 22 A, 34 P, 36 GP, -1, 16 PIM
2020-2021: 11 G, 11 A, 22 P, 22 GP, +5, 6 PIM
Connor Ford has excelled so far this season playing on a great Bowling Green State Falcons team. Despite playing some of the most tough teams to play against in the NCAA right now such as Minnesota State, Quinnipiac, and Robert Morris, Ford, and the Falcons have dominated college hockey at its best. He has really benefited playing with Brandon Kruse, another Bowling Green Falcon atop of the leading scorers in the NCAA, despite not getting much playing time with him besides the power play. He’s a smooth skating, offensive center that has excellent vision, and makes smart plays more often than not. Watch out when he has the puck because he can get it into the net any which way imaginable. He’s another top NCAA free agent along with Jordan Kawaguchi, Strauss Mann, and Dryden McKay. The senior has so far taken advantage of his last year, and shown really what he can do. A high 34 points last year, and he hopes to out score that from last year. I personally believe that he will play very well in the minors next, hoping he gets signed, and hopefully play in a Logan O’Connor like role with whichever team that signs him.
Tier I… THE, “OH YEAHS”
No. 9, Wyatt Kaiser, D, Minnesota-Duluth
Drafted: 3, 81st overall, Chicago Blackhawks, 2020
6’0” 172lbs.
Stats:
2019-2020: (Dubuque Fighting Saints, USHL), 3 A, 3 P, 11 GP, +1, 6 PIM
2020-2021: 8 A, 8 P, 19 GP, +6, 14 PIM
Wyatt Kaiser has so far been an electric defensemen for the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs, and has played an extremely well two way game. It might sound crazy but I think with the proper development, and if he’s given time to really work on the raw offensive tools that he has he could be a very good player one day in the NHL. I mean I thought Wyatt Kaiser was good but never this good. Honestly, it might sound a bit crazy, but go watch him, and you’ll soon see that there are many things he does perfect, and very, very few things he does wrong. He’s very calm under pressure, and has very good skating for someone of his size. He’s one of those players that you know that he’ll eventually get the points, and that if you were to count all scoring chances, and things that he creates on his own, then jheez, but him top 5 in d-men point this season. Look, he may seem very unrefined now, but in 3 years, or whenever he decides to leave the NCAA there's a very high chance he could be one of the top defensive prospects in the world. His upside is very high, his floor is transitioning into his ceiling, and watch out, because once this guy gets going he’s gone.
No. 8, Dryden McKay, G, Minnesota State
Drafted: FA
5’11” 174lbs.
Stats:
2019-2020: 37 GP, 30-4-2 Rec., 1.31 GAA, .942 SV%, 10 SO
2020-2021: 12 GP, 11-1 Rec., 0.84 GAA, .959 SV%, 7 SO
Dryden McKay is arguably the best underrated goalie prospect in the world, and would be number 1 on our list if it wasn’t for players such as Linus Weissbach, and Odeen Tufto. As a freshman he lit up the NCAA putting up a 1.76 GAA, a .927 save percentage, and 4 shutouts, along with a 24-7-2 record while he was in net. Last year, as a sophomore he was a Hobey Baker finalist, along with his teammate, Marc Michaelis. Despite this, he hasn’t been signed by a professional team yet, which is rather odd, and the only reasonable explanation I can come up with is that teams are afraid that he’s to small, but like we’ve already seen with Spencer Knight, a 6’1” Boston College standout, and 13th overall pick in 2019 by the Florida Panthers. I really hope that my hometown Buffalo Sabres sign him at least to the AHL, but I mean I shouldn't be asking for anything because I ask for Marco Rossi, and I get Jack Quinn. All things aside, he’s arguably the best goaltender in the country, only a class behind Spencer Knight, and I feel he should at least be a top 3 finalist for the Hobey Baker, and win it one year for how good he’s played.
No. 7, Linus Weissbach, LW/RW, Wisconsin
Drafted: 7, 192nd overall, Buffalo Sabres, 2017
5’9” 176lbs.
Stats:
2019-2020: 4 G, 18 A, 22 P, 35 GP, -8, 25 PIM
2020-2021: 8 G, 18 A, 26 P, 20 GP, +8, 4 PIM
Linus Weissbach has been featured on one of the strongest first lines in the NCAA featuring Cole Caufield, and Dylan Holloway as well. Weissbach is a very fast, quick, and shifty undersized forward that possesses high end skill, and plays a very fast pace, high energy game. He creates plays out of nothing, and has a very good shot, as well as playmaking ability being placed around players like Caulfield, and Holloway. This year he has finally put everything together, and looks to finish out his NCAA career with a very strong statement. He has one of the highest ceilings in the NCAA, along with two of his linemates in, well I’ve said it enough, and Alex Newhook to name a few. His skill set is unique, and he possesses everything you look for in an undersized player: speed, skill, and responsibility. Despite not being a “defensive dynamo” he has very good positioning, and makes a living pressuring points, and picking off passes. I project him as a very high point scorer in the AHL next year, and potentially a much, much better version of Tage Thompson. I have a lot of faith in him, and hope he really gets to his highest potential.
No. 6, Domenick Fensore, D, Boston University
Drafted: 3, 90th overall, Carolina Hurricanes, 2019
5’7” 150lbs.
Stats:
2019-2020: 3 G, 13 A, 16 P, 34 GP, +5, 24 PIM
2020-2021: 1 G, 5 A, 6 P, 8 GP, +3, 16 PIM
Domenick Fensore has gone under tremendous improvement in his game, while still maintaining that wizardry with his feet, and his hands that he had in his draft year. Sure, it’s the NCAA, it’s harder for him to show that, but you know it’s there, and he still uses it very effectively. His puck rushing ability is honestly probably the best in the NCAA, and I’m not just rewarding that to him because I really like him as a player. He’s also gotten much stronger, and from how strong he already was in his draft year at that size, he’s almost to the point where he can consistently close gaps, and shut down bigger opponents. Nobody is perfect, but I mean he’s gotten pretty close to where his limitations are. He has great p,aiming, and vision, and sees the ice like no other player I’ve seen play. Despite this, one more year in college at least will help him tremendously into potentially becoming a great NHL defensemen. Look, I get it, he’s as small as you can get, but we’ve seen in the past that small players have been growing in the NHL. Take Ryan St. Louis, or Nathan Gerbe for example. I mean Nathan Gerbe is 5’2” and is 30 years old, and still has a great game putting up 35 points consistently every year, so at the very least I think he can put up 35 points in a season. He has all the tools, and I personally believe he will eventually get there even if it takes him his entire eligibility in the NCAA, and a few years in the AHL. Him paired with somebody like Jaccob Slavin, or even Dougie Hamilton would help him a lot, and I can’t wait to see where he takes his talents in the coming years.
No. 5, Patrick Moynihan, C, Providence College
Drafted: 6, 158th overall, New Jersey Devils, 2019
5’11” 185lbs.
Stats:
2019-2020: 13 G, 8 A, 21 P, 34 GP, +0, 8 PIM
2020-2021: 4 G, 5 A, 9 P, 10 GP, +0, 6 PIM
Patrick Moynihan has taken big leaps in his game thus far in the season. He’s listed as a center but has been playing at right wing next to Tyce Thompson for the beginning of the season. He’s a very smart, net front player similar to someone like Alexander Radulov, or Joe Pavelski. They will do the dirty work for you, but also possess some skill, and can make some very good plays. He’s one of the most defensive reliable wingers in the entire nation right now, and is able to feed the puck to other playmakers on his team. Honestly, he’s been a big part in why players like Tyce Thompson have been playing very well, because he’s one of those unselfish, get the job done players that every team needs on their roster if they hope to win. I feel like he’s a player that is very NHL ready, and has one of the lowest ceilings, but highest floors in the NCAA. I think he’s kind of like a poor man's version of Anthony Cirelli, in the sense that they're both very defensively responsible, have high hockey IQ, and will make the right play no matter what.
No. 4, Eamon Powell, D, Boston College
Drafted: 4, 116th overall, Tampa Bay Lightning, 2020
5’11” 170lbs.
Stats:
2019-2020: (USNTDP U18), 6 G, 8 A, 14 P, 43 GP, 10 PIM
2020-2021: (Boston College), 2 G, 8 A, 10 P, 15 GP, +13, 2 PIM
Eamon Powell has been a bit of a silent sensation at Boston College this year. Posting some very impressive numbers thus far, I don’t think anyone has expected the progression he would have, and numbers he would put up. Despite this, his game was saying it all along, which he plays one of the smartest, and most well rounded ones I’ve ever seen. He’s a sneaky creative offensive defensemen, that in my opinion, should've gone in the 2nd round at the latest last year. He was one of my favorite defensemen, and he’s just about as close to perfect as you can get. Imagine a more creative version of Mikhail Sergachev and you have Eamon Powell. He’s an extremely good skater which is a very valuable tool to have when you the size of someone like Eamon Powell. He has very well refined offensive instincts which allow him to join the rush, and make plays in the offensive zone especially well. I saw him as a standout in last year's draft, and I think he’ll definitely be a standout during his time at Boston College, and possibly a Hobey Baker contender as early as next year, and maybe even this year if he continues to produce at this past, and carries his success into the college hockey playoffs. He has a considerably high ceiling, along with an already pretty high floor, which makes him, in my opinion, one of the better already drafted defensive prospects in the world.
No. 3, Jayden Struble, D, Northeastern
Drafted: 2, 46th overall, Montreal Canadiens, 2019
6’ 205lbs.
Stats:
2019-2020: 3 G, 7 A, 10 P, 21 GP, -2, 36 PIM
2020-2021: 2 G, 9 A, 11 P, 12 GP, +3, 29 PIM
Boy did the Montreal Canadiens, and the burger man (Marc Bergevin) find a gem in Jayden Struble! Okay, okay, let me just start off by saying that he’s already beat his point total of 10 points from last year in 9 less games, and is already nearly a point per game player. That is very impressive by itself, and shows that he really has progressed into a high end offensive defensemen. I watched a bit of a game of his, and the little bit that I saw I loved! He has a whole toolbox of a unique skill set that he can unleash in the offensive zone, along with some deadly hands that he can bait you into letting him undress you with. He’s ultra mobile, and meanuvers around his zone extremely well. Another plus to having Struble is that he doesn’t shy away from the physical game, in fact he has 29 penalty minutes already this year which is pretty crazy. He has a laser beam from the point, and if you let him in closer to the net it only increases the percentage that the puck will go in the net. He’s very smart with the puck, and is not selfish to hand the puck over to another talented player on the Northeastern roster (Jordan Harris, Gunnarwolf Fontaine, Zach Solow, and many more), he can QB a power play, and do it extremely well, as well as play very well on the penalty kill, and in his own zone when your team needs it most. In terms of his ceiling, or upside he has a lot of it, and his game is reminiscent of someone like Shea Theodore, or even Jeff Petry I think would be a reasonable comparable. I can’t wait to see him in the NHL, and it seems like Montreal has its future 4 defensemen coming to their program, and/or in their program, (Jayden Struble, Jordan Harris, Alexander Romanov, and Kaiden Guhle).
No. 2, Odeen Tufto, C, Quinnipiac
Drafted: FA
5’7” 174lbs.
Stats:
2019-2020: 7 G, 31 A, 38 P, 34 GP, +8, 10 PIM
2020-2021: 4 G, 25 A, 29 A, 20 GP, +3, 12 PIM
Odeen Tufto is arguably the top Hobey Baker candidate, and should win it over players like Dryden McKay, and Cole Caufield since he’s been robbed of the award nearly 3 straight years, putting up 41 points in his freshman year, 42 the next, 38 last year, and this year it looks like he'll finally break the 50 point mark in his last year of eligibility. He was a finalist for the award last year but didn’t even finish in the top 10 in voting which to me is just a complete, and utter disrespect to Odeen Tufto who is by far been the best College hockey player this season with Cole Caufield closely behind. He’s a quick thinking, quick skating offensive centermen that does everything in his power to both put pucks in the net, and keep them out. He’s a hard worker, and is a player you wish you had the work ethic of. The best part of Tufto’s game has to be his playmaking as he has surpassed 25 assists every year he has played college hockey which is one crazy stat. Despite this he gets a ton of shots on goal, has a great shot selection, and always shoots for rebounds. He has a surprisingly good shot for the game he plays, which just adds to how big of an offensive threat he is. I really, really hope someone signs him, at least to the AHL, or ECHL so he can work his way up from there, because if I had to get whether or not he would one day make the NHL I would say yes, because when you look at how unselfish he is with the puck, and how mature he is for someone his size check him off the paper for NCAA players to sign because he would be no. 1 on my list.
No. 1, Brett Berard, LW, Providence College
Drafted, 5, 134th overall, New York Rangers, 2020
5’9” 163lbs.
Stats:
2019-2020: (USNTDP U18), 16 G, 18 A, 34 P, 41 GP, 46 PIM
2020-2021: (Providence), 3 G, 3 A, 6 P, 12 GP, -3, 12 PIM
Topping our list of the most underrated college hockey players is a Rhode Island native by the name of Brett Berard that has made a home at Providence College, playing with players like Parker Ford on the Friars 2nd line this year. And even though this could be a good or bad idea depending on how you look at, Berard certainly hasn’t benefited from playing with a more gritty player. Despite this, he has been playing extremely consistent, and has arguably been the hardest working player on the Providence Friars, and even the entire NCAA. I can confirm one thing though: he has an excellent world juniors, and was definitely the hardest working player in the tournament. Still me nation’s goal he put up 5 points in 7 games there playing only 12 minutes per game was something otherwise very noticeable as well. I have higher expectations for him than most people, but I know he will need time to develop his game. But on the flip side, he’s already developed a very high paced, quick thinking, skilled game that involves him making great plays with the puck. I know this may be very controversial to some, but he has gone flying under the radar for quite some time now, and I think that the New York Rangers got an absolute steal at no. 134 in the draft when I had him ranked right outside the first round. He’s extremely young, and with the excellent maturity that he brings with his skilled game, I think he could go a long way in the pros.
IN CONCLUSION, & HONORABLE MENTIONS
Overall, to wrap this up, I think that there are many different players that could’ve been on this list, and that deserve to be on this list, but i just that they may just haven’t been just as underrated as some other players in the NCAA then other players compared to there standards, and how much people are really talking about them. Here are some players that I could’ve included, but at the end of the day decided to save them for later:
(MORE UPDATED VERSION COMING AT THE END OF THE 2020-2021 NCAA SEASON!!!)
Brock Faber, D, Minnesota, 5 P, 16 GP, +10, 10 PIM
David Farrance, D, Boston University, 14 P, 6 GP, +4, 0 PIM
Dylan Holloway, C/LW, Wisconsin, 23 P, 12 GP, +10, 2 PIM
Spencer Stastny, D, Notre Dame, 11 P, 20 GP, +6, 2 PIM
Nick Blankeburg, D/F, Michigan, 10 P, 16 GP, +10, 12 PIM
Ty Smilanic, C, Quinnipiac, 14 P, 20 GP, +0, 6 PIM
Cam York, D, Michigan, 10 P, 14 GP, +10, 4 PIM
Zach Driscoll, G, Bemidji State, 13 GP, 2.38 GAA, .925 SV%, 6-4-3
Strauss Mann, G, Michigan, 14 GP, 2.00 GAA, .927 SV%, 8-6
Jackson LaCombe, D, Minnesota, 13 P, 16 GP, +11, 6 PIM
Matt Kessell, D, UMass (Amherst), 16 P, 19 GP, +4, 12 PIM
Brandon Kruse, LW, Bowling Green, 26 P, 22 GP, +24, 16 PIM
Marshall Warren, D, Boston College, 6 P, 15 GP, +9, 23 PIM
Review:
