Top 12 College Hockey Players 2023 Edition
Introduction
This year’s Collegiate Hockey season has been nothing short of spectacular, with numerous great games and performances. We have seen the rise of multiple different programs, as well as great seasons from previous bottom dwelling teams.
Despite the consistent electricity that both the fans and players have provided throughout the whole season, the most exciting thing throughout the duration of the past two seasons has been the addition of new Division 1 teams. Lindenwood, Stonehill College, St. Thomas and Long Island are the four that have made the jump within the last two seasons, alongside the reinstatement of Robert Morris, as well as Augustana College being added to the mix next season (2023-24).
Without a doubt, the future of college hockey is looking brighter than ever.
12 | Collin Graf, RW/C, Quinnipiac, Sophomore
Graf, a Union College transfer, had as terrific of a season as they come, finishing tied for the nations lead in assists with 35, and 2nd in the nation with 55 total points. He was a very consistent player for the Bobcats, and was Quinnipiac’s best offensive threat during what was a great year for the program. Quinnipiac finished with a 30-4-3 record, earning them the 2nd seed in the Pairwise rankings leading up to selection day (for the NCAA tournament). Graf was able to cap the regular season off with awards including the co-national player of the month of November, as well as a 2nd place finish in that award voting in both December and February.
11 | Ryan Bischel, G, Notre Dame, Senior
The goalie of the year in the Big Ten conference played absolutely lights out for the Fighting Irish who rebounded terrifically after a rough season. Bischel posted fantastic numbers across the board, including a goals against average under 2.4 (2.39), a save percentage above .930 (.931), along with 5 shutouts and a record of 16-16-4 in 37 games (tied for 2nd in the nation for games played by a goaltender). Hopefully Bischel will be able to cap off his amazing senior season with an NCAA tournament bid, but if not he surely did everything he could to give the Fighting Irish a fighting chance in just about every game he played.
10 | Sean Farrell, C/LW, Harvard, Sophomore
Farrell was amazing for the Crimson in his Sophomore campaign, as the 2022 Olympian made a case for the Hobey Baker award - recording 20 goals, 32 assists, for a total of 52 points in just 33 games. Farrell helped the Crimson to almost certain NCAA tournament bid, despite falling short of the ECAC championship to Colgate. Farrell was arguably the biggest offensive threat in the nation this season, as the undersized speedster was able to pot the puck in the net, as well as lift the game of his teammates at a remarkable level.
9 | Jimmy Snuggerud, RW, Univ. of Minnesota, Freshman
Don’t worry Gophers fanatics and Blues fans, Snuggerud had a fantastic season and would be considered probably the outright best player on any other team but the team he played on - that being of course, arguably the best team in the nation. Snuggerud played alongside two of the best players in the nation, and formed possibly the greatest line we’ve ever seen in college hockey. As a freshman, Snuggerud put up 20 goals, 29 assists and 49 points in 36 games. Snuggerud was an absolute unit, and if he wasn’t “backed up” on a roster filled with NHL talent as the 3rd scoring option, (and still be a leading scorer in the nation mind you), he would’ve for sure cracked much, much higher.
8 | Jackson Blake, RW/C, North Dakota, Freshman
Probably one of the best players of the 2022-23 season that just slipped under everyone’s radar, Blake propelled a not so good UND team to a chance at a Tournament appearance. Granted, they fell short to the St. Cloud Huskies in the NCHC Championship, it would be an understatement to say that the Fighting Hawks wouldn’t have been there if it wasn’t for Blake. Scoring 16 goals, 26 assists for 42 points in 39 games as a freshman, the 109th overall selection by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2021 NHL Draft has a bright future ahead of him - and a potential Hobey Baker trophy waiting for him if he decides to play his Sophomore year.
7 | Luke Hughes, D, Univ. of Michigan, Sophomore
Maybe the best defensemen in the nation this season, Luke Hughes showed why he has potential to be the best of the three Hughes brothers in the NHL. Luke was the 2nd of the three, alongside Quinn, to play at Michigan. Entering his sophomore season with big expectations, Luke did not fail to disappoint - finishing 2nd in the nation in points by a defenseman with 42, (9 goals, 33 assists, 36 games played). Hughes showed glimpses of super stardom with the Wolverines this season, giving the Children Of Yost something to rally behind when the team needed him most.
6 | Blake Pietila, G, Michigan Tech, Senior
Pietila absolutely balled out his senior season for the Huskies and it didn’t come without a reward. The Huskies are currently sitting at the 10th in the Pairwise Rankings and barring any sudden changes have a real shot at making the NCAA Tournament. Pietila helped the Huskies three straight incredibly successful seasons, with 2022-23 by far being the best. Pietila started 36 games, (tied for 3rd in the nation), with 23 of those resulting in wins, while posting a goals against average of 1.99, and a save percentage of .929. Pietila had 10 separate shutouts as well, showing he came up big in the biggest moments for Michigan Tech this season.
5 | Lane Hutson, D, Boston Univ., Freshman
Hutson was the man for Boston University this season, taking major steps over the offseason that included attending the Montreal Canadiens development camp, and gaining muscle to add to a smaller frame. Hutson was able to revive the Terriers after a very interesting past couple of seasons that saw the likes of Trevor Zegras and Robert Mastrosimone leave for opportunities to take their careers elsewhere. Hutson finished 1st in scoring by a defenseman with 45 points in 35 games for the Terriers, adding highlight after highlight to the 2022-23 tape. Not to mention, scoring the game winner in overtime to win the Hockey East tournament at TD Garden is pretty clutch too.
4 | Matthew Knies, LW, Univ. of Minnesota, Sophomore
Named the Big Ten conference player of the year over the likes of Adam Fantilli and fellow teammate Logan Cooley, Knies was an absolute juggernaut for the Gophers this season. Knies was the one of three players in the nation's deadliest offense trio, which would earn him 21 goals, 20 assists, 41 total points in 36 games. Even though many, including myself will argue his teammate, Logan Cooley, was more deserving of the reward you can’t discredit the man’s fantastic season. Knies made a case as the nation’s best goal scorer this season which will almost certainly be his last, (drafted 57th overall, 2021, Toronto Maple Leafs).
3 | Devon Levi, G, Northeastern, Junior
I can confidently say that if Levi was able to pull out a victory in the Hockey East semi-final and beat the BU Terriers in the Hockey East championship, Levi would be the best player in the nation without a debate. Arguably the best goalie in the nation last year as well, Levi helped carry a Huskies team that was ranked just outside the top 16 (deadline for the NCAA tournament) in the Pairwise Rankings all year to just narrowly falling short. Levi finished the year with averages of 2.24 goals against a game, a .933 save percentage in 34 games, as well as a 17-12-5 record and 6 shutouts.
2 | Adam Fantilli, C, Univ. of Michigan, Freshman
Fantilli is certainly not a consolation prize and is without a doubt neck and neck with Cooley for the #1 spot. Fantilli has shown everything you want in a player you're gonna build any type of team around. He can score, playmake, play physical, you name you got it. He was the nation's leading scorer this season, potting 27 goals, 33 assists, for a total of 60 points in 33 games - scoring at a 1.85 PPG rate. Fantilli will be the 2nd overall pick in this upcoming NHL draft and if he’s done anything as a Freshman at Michigan, it’s that he might’ve just showcased one of the greatest one-and-done seasons of all time.
1 | Logan Cooley, C, Univ. of Minnesota, Freshman
Let’s jump right in and waste no time. Cooley is a juggernaut. He does everything so well at such a high level at such a young age that when you're watching him play it almost feels like you're in a dream. Cooley is in my opinion God showing us what Jack Hughes would’ve been if he played college hockey: utter dominance. The skating, the shooting, the scoring, the passing, all the tools in the world to be successful and that’s just what he was. Cooley was the leader of the best team in the nation, on the best line in the nation and maybe of all time, and still has a very real shot at both a Hobey Baker and National Championship. Not to mention, Cooley put up great numbers, scoring 19 goals, whilst still handing out 33 assists in a 52 point season-long effort (35 games) from the 3rd overall pick of the 2022 NHL Draft. Cooley is not only a college hockey star, but a future NHL star just warming up to the big stage.
The Top 30…
13, Kaiden Mbereko, G, Colorado College
14, Domenick Fensore, D, Boston Univ.
15, Yaniv Peters, G, Quinnipiac
16, Massimo Rizzo, F, Denver
17, Ryan McAllister, F, Western Michigan
18, Mackie Samoskevich, F, Univ. of Michigan
19, Jake Livingstone, D, Minnesota State
20, Cutter Gauthier, F, Boston College
21, Carter Mazur, F, Denver
22, Alex Jefferies, F, Merrimack
23, Gavin Brindley, F, Univ. of Michigan
24, Jason Polin, F, Western Michigan
25, Frank Ireland, F, Stonehill College
26, Robert Mastrosimone, F, Arizona State
27, Jake Wise, D, Ohio State
28, Rhett Pitlick, F, Univ. of Minnesota
29, Alex Young, F, Colgate
30, Eamon Powell, D, Boston College
Honorable Mentions:
TJ Hughes, F, Univ. of Michigan
Seamus Casey, D, Univ. of Michigan
Ayrton Martino, F, Clarkson
Austen Swankler, F, Bowling Green
Matt Brown, F, Boston Univ.
Max Sasson, F, Western Michigan
Alex Lafferriere, F, Harvard
Aidan McDonough, F, Northeastern
Carter Wilkie, F, R.I.T.
Keaton Mastrodonato, F, Canisius
Matthew Coronato, F, Harvard
Alexander Campbell, F, Clarkson
Kyle Kukkonen, F, Michigan Tech
Veeti Miettinen, F, St. Cloud State
Ryan Mosley, F, Michigan Tech
Brock Faber, D, Univ. of Minnesota
Michael Benning, D, Denver
Sean Behrens, D, Denver
Justen Close, G, Univ. of Minnesota
Henry Thrun, D, Boston College
Gustav Davis Grigals, G, UMass-Lowell
Scott Morrow, D, UMass
Matthew Wood, F, UConn
Zack Metsa, D, Quinnipiac
Jackson LaCombe, D, Univ. of Minnesota
Akito Hirose, D, Minnesota State
Cade Mason, D, Long Island
Chris Jandric, D, North Dakota
Gianfranco Cassaro, D, R.I.T.
Ethan Edwards, D, Univ. of Michigan
Matt Radomsky, G, Alaska-Fairbanks
Jakub Dobes, G, Ohio State
Magnus Chroma, G, Denver
