The Top 25 College Hockey Players As Of The 2023-24 NCAA Season
Written By: Noah “Dr. Tee” Clendenen
Introduction
Well that’s a wrap folks. The 2023-24 college hockey season is over, but it for sure didn’t end in vain. Not only has the popularity of college hockey increased drastically over this season, but the name recognition and overall growth of the sport has been a thing of pure beauty. But how did we get to this point? It’s simple, the play of some of the best amateur hockey players in the world. Play which demonstrated the most speed, skill, tenacity and potential we’ve ever seen. So which players stood out the most? Which players dominated the game at a level we - quite frankly - have never seen before in the history of collegiate hockey. All that, and more as you read my opinion on the top 25 college hockey players of the 2023-24 season.
What To Take Into Consideration
It must be noted that this list is bound to change. Players have remarkable games day-to-day which consistently and frequently change people’s opinions (including mine), on who the better or worse player may be between two given players. It must also be noted that all stats that are stated throughout this article are all relevant to the time frame this article was either written and/or published.
Finally, when ranking all 25 of these players, I took into account the strength of conference (in other words, strength of play), point production, the team that they’re on, and most importantly the eye test - or what a player does a game-to-game basis that catches the attention of viewers in a way that other players simply don’t. Over everything on this list, I value how comfortable a player looks in a variety of situations throughout the game as well as how they adjust their own personal game to those situations. The more adaptable and comfortable a player can be throughout the game in different circumstances, the more effective their skillset will be when the lights shine the brightest and the stakes are upped.
#25. Frank Nazar, University of Michigan
The play that sums up Nazar’s season the best was his in-between-the-legs dime to Gavin Brindley during the Maryland Heights Regional Championship vs. their biggest rival, Michigan State. That pass would all but seal the deal for the Wolverines, who are currently dare I say the hottest team in the entire country. Nazar is one of four Wolverines who have hit the 40-point plateau this season, notching 41 points in 40 games (17 goals, 21 assists). After being hurt for all but 13 games last season, and the beginning of this season, Nazar is looking like a the player we all new he was when he got selected by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 1st round of the 2022 NHL Draft; an ultra talented, offensive dynamo that will “wow” you everytime he touches the puck.
#24. Dylan Wendt, Western Michigan University
Spoiler alert, Wendt is one of three current Broncos that will debut on this list at higher spots. What makes Wendt such a great player in his own right, is his ability to score goals. This season Wendt potted 23 goals, good for 11th best in the country, while also putting up 44 total points which was good for second on the Broncos in scoring. Recently, the 23-year-old Junior out of Grand Haven, Michigan signed a professional contract with the New Jersey Devils AHL-affiliate Utica Comets. In Utica, Wendt will showcase his well-rounded game and goal scoring abilities as he tries to crack the Devils’ roster this upcoming summer.
#23. Bradley Nadeau, University of Maine
Alongside his brother, Josh, Brad was able to take the Hockey East conference by storm by putting up the fourth highest point total by a Black Bear freshman in school history - ahead of names such as Rob Corkum, Ryan Lomberg and Devin Shore who have all played, or are playing at the NHL level. Nadeau surprised a lot of people when he made a public announcement, saying that he would be signing his professional contract he received when he was drafted with the 32nd overall pick last season by the Carolina Hurricanes. The biggest strength in Nadeau’s game is by far his ability to score goals and create chances for his teammates. He’s able to attack the opposition in many different ways which makes him a constant threat when he has the puck on his stick.
#22. Luke Grainger, Western Michigan University
Grainger is the second Bronco to appear on this list so far, ahead of teammate Dylan Wendt. Grainger’s debuting at the #22 spot doesn’t come to much surprise however, after his stellar 2024 campaign in which he led WMU in scoring with 48 points which was good for 15th in the country. Grainger’s game revolved around playmaking, seeing that he had 14 goals to his 34 assists which was good for 9th in the country. Grainger is sneaky, and hard to find because he always seems to place himself in a good position to set up his teammates for goals. Whether that be off the rush, off a setup in the offensive zone, or in a multitude of creative ways. Grainger’s long career at WMU has helped him solidify a contract with San Jose Sharks’ AHL-affiliate San Jose Barracuda, who have been making move after move recently trying to acquire young, unsigned talent lurking in the NCAA.
#21. Sam Colangelo, Western Michigan University
Colangelo’s College career got off to an interesting start with the Northeastern Huskies. By no means did he play poorly; recording a total of 51 points in 64 career games, but he never was able to break through and reach stardom despite the flashes he had shown prior to his stint at Northeastern in the USHL. Fast forward to today, and Colaneglo’s move to the NCHC with the WMU Broncos has been just the fresh start that he’s needed. Flourishing into a Hobey Baker nominee and one of the best goal scorers in College Hockey - scoring at Will from almost anywhere on the ice with his powerful and heavy shot.
#20. Jimmy Snuggerud, University of Minnesota
*Early 2025 Hobey Baker Candidate*
Snuggerud’s season can be summed up into two words: bad luck. After having a fantastic freshman season alongside two of the best players in the country in Logan Cooley, and Matthew Knies, Snuggerud was expected to carry the load in the 2024 and thrive while doing it. To say that Snuggerud failed expectations would be a bit of an overreaction, but certainly not a stretch. The Chaska native was able to score over ver 20 goals on the season, yet finished at an underwhelming 0.87 points per game compared to his previous season’s number of 1.25. Snuggerud still was able to show glimpses of that player we saw in his freshman season though, notably getting off to a very strong start to the season. I was ecstatic as a Gopher fan when I saw that he would be returning for his third, and most likely final year at Minnesota. Now the thought process - if you’re in Snuggerud’s shoes - is that 2024-25 is about finishing the job, and proving you’re the great player everyone thinks you are.
#19. Ian Shane, Cornell University
*Early 2025 Hobey Baker Candidate*
Shane has matured into a top three goaltender in the country over his impressive 3-year career at Cornell thus far. During those three seasons, Shane has sported over a .915 save percentage and has allowed under 1.75 goals against a game on average; with this past season being undoubtedly his best with a .923 save percentage, allowing 1.69 goals against average and a career best 22 wins. Shane will most likely return for his senior season with the Big Red, where he will join top recruit Connor Arsenault as Cornell will try once more to get over the Regionals hump in the NCAA tournament.
#18. Jacob Quillan, Quinnipiac University
Capping off a stellar career, Quillan had bar-known his best season this past year for the Bobcats. Recording 46 points in 39 games, the Toronto Maple Leafs draftee showcased his elusive skating and quick thinking. However most notably, he’s been one of the clutchest players in the country dating all the way back to last season’s national championship against Minnesota’s big three where Quillan would pot the game winning goal only 10 seconds into overtime. Quillan was also a monumental part in Quinnipiac’s Regional run this season, which saw them nearly knock off an historic Boston College team in overtime.
#17. Dylan Duke, University of Michigan
In contrast to Jimmy Snuggerud, Dylan Duke has done nothing short of emerging as one of the best goal scorers in the nation. Potting 26 total goals and 49 points for the Wolverines which placed him near the top of the Big Ten in both categories. His role on Michigan as a workhorse has been one of the most intriguing storylines of the entire season alongside his offensive rebirth. Duke is also a very strong skater, and his north-south speed is solid. However, the best and most valuable part of his skating ability is by far his agility which allows him to utilize his low center of gravity to its very best. As a smaller framed player, Duke has a lot of muscle and is able to play a gritty game around the net - a large reason for his success this past season.
#16. Ryan Leonard, Boston College
*Early 2025 Hobey Baker Candidate*
One of three of Boston College’s historically great freshmen, Leonard put up the second most goals on a team that was able to put together one of the greatest offensive seasons ever in college hockey. In 41 games the Amherst, MA, native was able to tally a staggering 31 goals (a fantastic number for a freshman). That number would ultimately place the 8th overall pick from last year’s draft 3rd in the country behind only Cutter Gauthier and Mack Celebrini. When evaluating what makes Leonard such a great and versatile player overall, you have to take into consideration his play style and size. Standing at 6” flat, and 190 pounds, Leonard is the perfect modern day power forward who can combine a nose for the net with highlight reel skill. Out of all three of Boston College’s super-freshmen, he should be the one to adjust to the NHL the easiest.
#15. Jacob Fowler, Boston College
*Early 2025 Hobey Baker Candidate*
Another BC-super-freshmen, this time a goalie, debuts on the list at number fifteen. What makes Fowler such an amazing, not only prospect, but goaltender in general is his mental component in his game. Even in the national championship after conceding what many thought was an unlucky bounce in the third period which would end up proving costly, Fowler kept keeping BC in it even when he was getting peppered with shots. He never once gave up on his team, or crumbled under the immense pressure; even with the constant backlash he was facing from his team’s somewhat subpar performance compared to the expectations they had set for themselves all season. Fowler finished this season with a eye-popping stat line of 2.14 goals against average, and a .926 save percentage to go with 3 shutouts - narrowly missing Spencer Knight’s numbers form the 2019-20 season, yet cruising past his win total with 32 compared to Knight’s 23.
#14. Rutger McGroarty, University of Michigan
*Early 2025 Hobey Baker Candidate*
McGroarty showed just the type of player he was when he decided to announce that he was going to be sticking it out with the Wolverines for his Junior year, despite coming off of what many would call a Hobey Baker-worthy season. While captaining Team USA to a Gold Medal in the 2024 World Juniors was certainly the highlight of his stellar season, McGroarty put all of the critics to rest with the numbers he put up in Ann Arbor. Even while being injured for a portion of the season, McGroarty finished with over 50 points (52 to be exact), with 36 of those being assists in 36 games. Standing at just over 6” and weighing in at just over 200 pounds, not only can he play a punishing game against anyone on the ice, but his skill allows him to both facilitate and finish from just about anyone in the offensive zone. Last but not least, the leadership of Rutger McGroarty may be the most impressive and notable thing about his entire “persona” that he has created for himself both throughout his college and World Junior career.
#13. Jack Devine, University of Denver
While not being the greatest skater, Devine has found ways to impact the game which has led him to using his shot and hockey IQ a lot more often until he finally put it all together this season. Devine wasn’t only just a Hobey Baker candidate before the Massimo Rizzo injury, but he was leading the country in both goals and points at one in the season. Although the subtraction of Rizzo did slow him down, Devine was able to produce consistently without his right hand man, showcasing his touch and pure goal scoring ability more than almost any other player in the country not named Cutter Gauthier. Back to his IQ, what makes him so lethal is the way he’s able to slip past defenses relatively unnoticed which allows him to get off extremely high value/high danger shots effectively and at a high rate. He can work past his skating struggles by anticipating the play, and working himself into great positions so that he doesn’t have to worry about using his skating, but only getting off his quick, powerful shot.
#12. Seamus Casey, University of Michigan
Casey is one of those players that you watch only because you look forward to what moves you’ll be able to pull off with him when he’s registered in Chel. On a serious note, he’s nothing short of a wizard with the puck. He can pull off stunts with the puck that many people can’t even dream of attempting, while making it look seemingly easy. He’s by far one of, if not the best skaters in the nation, and at times it wasn’t far that Michigan had Casey on their roster and the opposition didn’t have a player close to his level of skill. When watching him, the immediate comparison you’re tempted to make, by both the playing style and the jersey, is Luke Hughes. However, Casey seems more agile and willing to make aggressive plays deep into the offensive zone on a more regular basis. If I were to compare him to a player - based off pure play style - I would have to think of Cale Makar or maybe someone like his Boston University counterpart Lane Hutson. Silky smooth, and can combine smarts with unbelievable puck skill and awareness.
#11. Zeev Buium, University of Denver
*Early 2025 Hobey Baker Candidate*
Buium - someone who has taken the nation by storm - has shot up draft boards with how well he’s been adapting and improving in the NCAA this season. Much of the credit to Buium’s success can be pointed towards one of the brightest minds in all of college hockey; Denver head coach David Carle who also helped Buium and Team USA take home the Gold Medal at the World Junior Championships after a dominant performance. Carle’s fast pace, offensively minded system has Buium both improve tremendously on his weaknesses, but also mature in his decision making and defensive game. Of course, not all of the credit can be pointed towards Carle. The perfect demonstration of his skill and vision was on full display during his highlight-reel assist in the National Championship game against Boston College. The entire game Buium was smart, strong and solid with and without the puck. Showcasing a game that made him look like a player far beyond his years of experience. The assist-in-itself only proved to the country why he deserves to be a top 5 pick in this year’s draft.
— The Top 10 College Hockey Players Of 2023-24 —
#10. Kyle McClellan, University of Wisconsin
A player that was my mid-season Hobey Baker winner, there’s an argument to be made that McClellan is simply a product of Mike Hastings' game system, but I would speak otherwise. The 25-year-old senior had by far the best season of his college career in his farewell tour with the Badgers, posting a national best .931 save percentage, with a mere 1.94 goals against average to pair with 24 total wins on the season. McClellan plays an athletic style of game, as he only stands at around 5’11”; short for any given goaltender, especially at the NCAA level. Despite this, the NCAA also has a long history of particularly “short” goaltenders playing exceptionally well throughout their careers - McClellan was no exception to that history. Routinely standing on his head and keeping Wisconsin in games. Although he had his lowlights, which may have ultimately cost the Badgers a shot at a national title, and McClellan a shot at the Hobey Baker, he was easily one of the best college hockey players this past season.
#9. Collin Graf, Quinnipiac University
Flying under the radar practically his entire youth hockey career, Graf never got any sort of national recognition until transferring out of Union College and landing at Quinnipiac his sophomore season. From then on, he played like a well-seasoned veteran among the nation’s best players and teams, scoring 59 points and leading the Bobcats to their first ever national title in school history during the 2022-23 season. With high hopes coming into the season, Graf went on a tear towards the end of the regular season - from headlining articles on eliteprospects, to catching the eye of just about every NHL scout there is. He scored 16 points in his last 12 games to end the regular season, including a hat trick against RPI on February, 17th. Additionally, Quinnipiac would only lose 3 of those final 12 games, going 9-3 from the start of February to the end of March. Graf would finish this season with ten less points than his previous seasons’ total, but would play in seven less games.
To summarize Graf’s game would be to try to explain Algebra in three sentences or less. You can’t. And even if that’s some of my fourteen-year-old humor coming out, when watching Graf you can’t do anything but shake your head at how good he is. He seems to always know where to go with the puck, and is a methodical playmaker and thinker of the game. His shot may not be NHL-ready quite yet, but with an offseason of work ahead of him, I see him shooting up the depth chart for San Jose by the beginning of next season, especially given that he’s already had a neat 20-minute-night of playing time while only playing in seven games in his NHL career so far.
#8. Gavin Brindley, University of Michigan
As a Gopher fan, I hate to admit the shining excellence that is Gavin Brindley (I for sure don’t cry at night knowing he could’ve chosen to play in any other conference besides the Big Ten). Back in late October I had the privilege of watching Brindley and Wolverines play live as they beat down the Ohio State Buckeyes at Yost Arena. The one thing I remember most about that game (besides how diehard the students were and how great the atmosphere was), was the way Brandon Naurato was able to use his speed on the power play to almost guarantee a controlled zone entry almost every time he touched the puck. I can’t say a bad thing about his game. His compete level is flat-out amazing, and you can tell by watching one shift of any of his games from any level he’s played that he loves playing the game of hockey. In contrast to his small stature, he plays more physical and more tenacious than almost any player you can match him up against regardless of size. Brindley plays the type of game where you can have him blocking shots and locking up defensively, while also creating scoring chance after scoring chance at the other end of the ice.
In the NHL, my guess is that he’ll be used as a Swiss-army knife at his peak as a player. His high-octane motor (that seems never-ending) and his explosiveness will be key assets on both the power play and penalty kill. Along with the fact of me never being able to say something bad about his game, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him not do something on the ice. Brindley is a jack of trades, and I’ll always remember the moment I knew he was the real deal was when he sealed the 2024 Big Ten semi-final game with an off-platform snipe on Justen Close vs. Minnesota.
#7. Gabriel Perreault, Boston College
*Early 2025 Hobey Baker Candidate*
Just like Brindley, the moment that I knew Perreault was the real deal was in the national championship game. BC was down by two late in the third and despite the Eagles constant offensive zone time no one could seem to get a good look - besides Gabe Perreault. If I’m being honest, the only that stopped him from winning the Hobey Baker was a minor injury his suffered back in the middle of the season; and the only thing holding me back from placing him towards the top of this list was the potential of being flamed (maybe I’ll share my true opinion next time). Regardless, Perreault has proven and shown so much this season that it’s not even funny. What’s more impressive than walking through arguably the best and most disciplined defensive systems in the country on a nightly basis? Almost nothing, and Perreault did that consistently. His hockey IQ. His vision. His passing. His offensive instincts. His hands. Everything mashed perfectly together to make one of the most deadly offensive tool bags in the country. Perreault easily should’ve had a multi-point night in the natty, yet Matt Davis stood tall even on what looked like could’ve been one of the best passes of the season (cough, cough, Ryan you still got PTSD?).
Many scouts doubted the legitimacy of Perreault’s point totals heading into the draft simply because of how good his linemates were, and how average people thought his skating was. No one wanted to take him seriously, yet he’s starting to make us take him seriously. The hockey world let yet another potential stud fall right into the Rangers’ lap in the 2023 draft, and in five years I’d be surprised if he isn’t one of the best players on the Rangers’ roster.
#6. Massimo Rizzo, University of Denver
Rizzo quietly crafted one of the best college hockey careers in recent memory with now two national championships, and three conservative 35+ point seasons under his belt. Rizzo was the undisputed Hobey Baker favorite before injuring his lower-body in early February, an announcement that was sent out formally by Dylan H. Robillard via Twitter. Nonetheless, Rizzo would return during the Frozen Four and give the Pio’s an extra boost which helped them to defeat Boston University, and eventually take home the national championship against the juggernaut Boston College Eagles. Unlike many high-end prospects, Rizzo has only played internationally for Team Canada once before his draft year, suiting up for Team Canada black during the World U17 Hockey Challenge. Even while taking an obscure path to success, playing five years in the BCHL despite being the 15th overall pick in the WHL bantam draft, the extra time taken to properly develop has paid dividends for Rizzo thus far in his career.
When trying to understand what makes Rizzo such a great collegiate player, you must first acknowledge how well he’s able to think the game. Oftentimes, Rizzo will use his low center of gravity and quickness to get around defenders and move towards the net, before firing his deadly accurate shot upon the goaltender. I wouldn’t say Rizzo has elite hands, but they certainly get the job done and have given Massimo Rizzo highlight reel many new additions especially over this season. His one-timer is exceptionally good, even for someone that stands at his stature. He can get it off effectively and frequently, more often than not putting the puck in the back of the net. I’m certainly intrigued to see what he’ll become at the pro-level, but as for now he’s finished off one of the best college hockey careers in recent memory with a national title and career high in points.
#5. Jackson Blake, University of North Dakota
Coming off of a phenomenal freshman season and playing in a starring role for Team USA at the 2022 World Juniors, Blake came into the 2023-24 with extremely high expectations… boy did he not disappoint. Blake wasn’t just a top three finalist for the Hobey Baker award, Blake became the first Fighting Hawk to reach the 60-point plateau since Brock Boeser did in the 2015-16 season. Similarly to many star players on this list, Blake started off the season relatively slow compared to where the bar was set for him, but he soon picked up his play to a whole new level towards the end of the season which was highlighted by a 5-point, 4-assist night against the UMD Bulldogs in late February. This play, alongside the overall team play of the Fighting Hawks, helped propel UND to the number six overall seed in the NCAA tournament.
With the early season success, came late season disappointment. Blake himself even expressed his feelings after the loss, which also came after he suffered a concussion in the dying minutes of their loss to Michigan. Regardless, Blake is now under NHL contract, wearing the red and white sweaters of the Carolina Hurricanes. Blake has used his hockey sense, vision and stick handling abilities to dominate the offensive zone - finishing 4th in the nation in points and pacing the NCHC in the same category. He’s especially effective when retrieving pucks and using his hands to control the tight areas of the ice where many players often falter. On the right half wall on the power play, Blake controls the game by keeping the defense guessing whether or not he’ll dish the puck to an open teammate or wire a shot past the goaltender.
#4. Cutter Gauthier, Boston College
Many will be opposed to where I put Gauthier on this list. Regardless, goal scoring is unquestionably the most valuable part to his game. Not only did Gauthier lead the nation in goals by a considerable margin, but Gauthier became the first player to score 38 goals or more in a season since Ryan Potulny in 2005-2006 with Minnesota; no matter how he shot the puck it always seemed like it was going in the net. His release is unmatched, and if you give him even the slightest bit of room he’ll get a great shot off. The amount of power he can put into his wristers will often shoot both the puck past the netminder, and you off your couch. Gauthier doesn’t just beat goalies with his outside shot however, as he has a great net-front presence and is able to find loose pucks and be at the right places at the right times.
To pair with a shooting ability that puts him in a stratosphere above his competition, he has added a very underappreciated playmaking side to his game. The way he has been able to adapt and mature his game while at BC has been extremely impressive, and the steps he has taken to improve his vision and passing has been a prime example of that. When there’s no clear shot in net, or when the opposition closes in on him quickly enough so that he can’t get a shot off, Gauthier has become extremely good at finding the open man on the ice and getting the puck to him - which, more often than not, still results in a goal. Another thing that Gauthier has publicly stated that he has and is putting a major emphasis on right now is his defensive game. In comparison to his offensive game, his defensive awareness is nowhere close to an elite level. But again, it’s hard to nitpick a player of Gauthier’s caliber. Especially when he was named a Hobey Baker finalist, first team East All-American, and won a gold medal at the World Juniors this past season.
#3. Will Smith, Boston College
*Early 2025 Hobey Baker Candidate*
Ever since he was put under the spotlight at a young age Will Smith has never disappointed and always has exceeded expectations. As a Freshman, Smith led the entire country in scoring while being only 18 and 19-years-old. But If you're going to take anything away from his stellar season it has to be his ability to show up in the big moments. Aside from the national championship (no one in the game could score for BC in general), Smith was always the number one option for the Eagles; even above Hobey Baker Finalist Cutter Gauthier, and star teammates Gabe Perreault and Ryan Leonard, who all three at points in their seasons have made cases for being the best player in country. Smith played many amazing games over the course of his freshman season at BC, but easily his best game - both statistically and stage wise - was his record-setting performance against Boston University in the Hockey East Championship, where Smith would score four goals and total five points in a blowout win.
When looking at the chances of Smith coming back for another season, it’s obvious that he’s the most NHL-ready player still in college hockey right now. He’s been on record saying that he wants to play multiple seasons at BC with his two line mates and best friends in Ryan Leonard and Gabe Perreault. However, only time will tell as the Lexington, Mass native has a lot of time to come to a decision with San Jose having been far out of the playoffs for a while now. The maturity Smith plays with is outstanding, and the ice he has in his veins to never falter when the lights shine brightest is a skill that only a few have, and a gift that fewer can master; Smith is well on his way to becoming a master of that gift, especially with the current state of the Sharks franchise and how whenever he joins the rosters he’ll immediately become the first or second best player on the team easily, at least skill wise. Finishing the 2023-24 season with 71 points - 25 being goals - in 41 games, I think it’s easy to see how Smith was the third best player in the college hockey last season, and could’ve easily been higher if it wasn’t for the final two players on this list.
#2. Lane Hutson, Boston University
Similar to the Gauthier ranking, many won’t agree with how high I put Hutson on this list, and be puzzled by how a player with such “little” production compared to the players ranked lower than him can be so high on this list. The first thing I want to knock off right away is the fact that numbers aren’t the only thing that make Hutson a straight-up phenom, and near-exceptional offensive talent. Standing at only 5 '10 " and weighing in at a mere 161 pounds, being doubted is something that has always been in the rear view mirror of Hutson’s success. During his freshman season with the Terriers, not only was he a top 10 Hobey Baker Finalist tallying 48 points, but he proved all of the teams that passed on him in the 2022 NHL draft wrong (after sliding all the way to pick #62 in the 2nd round). Secondly, I want to get across how amazing Hutson has been during his time at BU. Over the past two seasons, Hutson has recorded a total of 97 points which leads all defenseman in college hockey by a wide margin (and I don’t have to double check that, it’s a known fact at this point). In addition, this production is miles ahead of the numbers that current NHL stars such as Quinn Hughes and Cale Makar racked up during their two years of college hockey.
Now let’s break down his game a little bit, and if I had to explain Hutson’s game in one phrase I would say watching him is poetry on ice. Calm. Cool. Collected. Smart under pressure. Leadership. Dynamic. Fast. A few short words and phrases that summarize who Hutson is as a player best. He walks the blue line unlike any other player I’ve seen, which includes NHL players. He’s always able to make something happen, even if it initially appears as if nothing can happen out of a play. He has mastered the ability to move laterally and adjust his hips based on where he wants to go on the ice, which speaks volumes to how good his edgework actually is. He’s such a good skater that his best stickhandling moves are often his best strides. Using his body to act like he's moving one way, before quickly going the other. All these skills and more were demonstrated during his first NHL game with the Montreal Canadiens on the play that Hutson recorded his first career point.
#1. Macklin Celebrini, Boston University
Ah yes, Mr. Hobey Baker himself, the king of college hockey if you will (besides maybe Matt Davis). There’s nothing bad you can say about Celebrini’s game, nor is there anything you can nitpick about his game. There’s a reason why he won college hockey’s most prestigious award as a 17-year-old freshman in the hardest conference you can play collegiate hockey in as of 2024. In my 2024 NHL draft rankings article that debuted in February, I described Celebrini as a night fury from the How To Train Your Dragon trilogy. Guess what, I’m going to use the same analogy again, because there’s no better way to describe him. You know he’s there, but you don’t know that you're in trouble until the puck is already stolen and in the back of your net. Out of all the NHL-ready, matured prospects that I can talk about right now in the NCAA, Celebrini headlines the bunch. He plays an exceptional defensive game for someone his age, and has an everlasting motor. He doesn’t stop skating regardless of the situation his team may be in during a game, and never gives up on the play. He’s tenacious on the forecheck, and finishes his hits punishingly, most likely because of how quickly he’s been able to transition from level to level throughout his career. This will serve him very well as possibly one of the youngest players in the NHL next season, as he doesn’t turn 18 until June 13th.
Speaking by the stats, Celebrini has put up one of the best seasons by a freshman in recent college hockey memory which would be talked about more if he wasn’t being immediately overshadowed by Adam Fantilli’s 2023 season. Celebrini was both top three in points (64) in the nation, while also being top three in the country in goals (32) as well. Whenever Celebrini has the puck on his stick he’s dangerous, and he’s one of those players that will raise the overall morale and compete level of any given team. The set of hands on the kid can be described as wizardry, and the shot that he possesses is nothing short of a rocket; most certainly due to his cannon of a release that he get off extremely at an NHL-level pace. Like the Boston Big three, like Denver’s young D-man, like Michigan’s returning vet, it’ll be interesting to see what this offseason has to await for Macklin. An NHL logo, jersey and number certainly await him, but a potential return to the Terriers could spell Natty in New England.
— Just Missed The Cut —
Jaxson Nelson, University of Minnesota
A big, rangy goal-scoring power forward that carried Minnesota’s offenses towards the end of the season when he went on a hot streak. He’ll be a prototypical 4th line spark plug for a Boston Bruins team that is looking to make a deep playoff run this season.
Liam McLinskey, College of the Holy Cross
Broke out this season for the Crusaders, recording a 47-point, 19-goal season which came two seasons after transferring from Quinnipiac. McLinksey has thrived for Holy Cross, and dominated the Hockey Atlantic Conference last season with his size and skill combo.
Lukas Sillinger, Arizona State
Sillinger is a high end playmaker that has gone largely unnoticed over the landscape of college hockey the past couple of seasons. During the 2024 season, Sillinger recorded a career high in assists (37) and points (48), and was a big part of ASU’s success in becoming a respected college hockey organization this year. Out of all the remaining free agents in the NCAA, he deserves a pro-contract the most.
Josh Nadeau, University of Maine
Just like brother Brad, Josh’s game revolves around nifty hands and a unique ability to push positive play wherever he is on the ice. Nadeau provided leadership, as well as one of possibly the best second scoring options in all of the NCAA. Nadeau will enter this upcoming June draft eligible and unsigned by any team.
Ben Steeves, University of Minnesota-Duluth
Nothing short of a pure goal scorer, Steeves was easily the biggest bright spot on an underperforming UMD team that had no hope of being a real title contender this season. Steeves’ shot will be the reason he gets a shot at pro-hockey, but for now he’s made a living using his hard, quick wrist shot to get behind goalies all over the country.
Matt Davis, Denver University
This goes without being said, one of the biggest overachievers of the 2024 season. No one expected the year that Matt Davis had, yet he delivered time and time again for Denver when it mattered most, despite it being his first full season as a starter at the collegiate level. He allowed only a mind boggling three goals the entire NCAA tournament (not to mention having arguably the most iconic moment and greatest save in college hockey history in the process). To say he deserves a shot in the NHL would be an understatement, and he’s more proof that you don’t need a big frame to succeed at a high level as a goalie.