The NCAA hockey free agent market will once again be heavily scouted by NHL teams looking to procure older and potentially more pro-ready talent.
Last year, St. Cloud State senior defenseman Jimmy Schuldt was arguably the most coveted free agent to sign. Following a stellar four year career in the NCHC, Schuldt signed with the Vegas Golden Knights.
Around Hockey East, Providence junior center Josh Wilkins (Nashville Predators) and Maine sophomore defensemen Brady Keeper (Florida Panthers) both gave up eligibility to sign NHL entry-level contracts as un-drafted free agents.
One of last season’s most pursued free agent prospects, Minnesota State defenseman Connor Mackey, opted to return to Mankato for his junior season. Mackey, from Tower Lakes, Ill., will be the biggest fish in the free agent pond this winter.
Minnesota State teammate, senior center Marc Michaelis, and Minnesota Duluth junior center Justin Richards will be two of the other top free agent prospects to start the season.
Here’s a look at the top five un-drafted NCAA hockey free agents in Hockey East, going into the 2019-20 season:
1. Mitchell Chaffee
Massachusetts, jr., RW, right shot, 6-0/205
Chaffee is right up there with Mackey in terms of having the most interest of any un-drafted free agent in college hockey. As a sophomore in 2018-19, the Rockford, Mich., native nearly doubled his scoring output from his freshman year. Chaffee found the back of the net 18 times and added 24 assists as the Minutemen advanced all the way to the national championship game last April.
A product of Honeybaked and the USHL’s Fargo Force, Chaffee is a strong, power forward who is heavy on pucks. Chaffee can be a net front presence, win battles for pucks along the way and below the dots, and can make an impact in his own zone by blocking shots and engaging physically.
A knock on Chaffee has been his skating, but it has gotten significantly better. His game has evolved from more of a defensive, middle-six type of winger in junior hockey to being a top six wing in college.
While he likely will have to find a home as a third line wing in the pro game, his versatility is a major reason NHL clubs will come calling when the Minutemen’s season ends. There were plenty of offers following last season, but Chaffee elected to come back to school for another year of tutelage under UMass head coach Greg Carvel and his staff. He’ll serve as captain of the Minutemen.
2. Spenser Young
Providence, sr., D, left shot, 5-10/185
Like Chaffee, Young saw his offensive production increase leaps and bounds in the 2018-19 season. After two consecutive years where he put up a respectable 12 points from the back end, the Brentwood, N.H., native registered eight goals and 13 assists as a junior for the Friars.
Young has very good feet and his ability to retrieve pucks and quickly break those pucks out of his own zone will be the reason he’s most coveted. His vision has gotten better, but he’s still more prone to look to rush the puck out of his own zone as opposed to making that first pass up ice.
While Young certainly projects as a puck-moving, offensive defenseman in the pro game, he does play with jam. He’s not some soft skilled player who is looking to shy away from confrontation in his own end.
His lack of size will hurt him, but there are a few NHL clubs who have been following his progress carefully. Look for him to sign an entry-level deal following the end of his Friar career, whether that be in March or April.
3. Greg Printz
Providence, jr., LW, left shot, 6-2/214
Printz is somewhat of a late bloomer who has consistently gotten better. After not reaching the 10-goal plateau in either his only full season of junior hockey or as a freshman, Printz notched 11 goals in his sophomore campaign with the Friars.
From Fairfax, Va., Print has good size and the ability to disrupt the opposition’s breakout by being physical and hunting pucks. In addition to being heavy on pucks, he’s not afraid to drive the net and hang around the greasy areas to look for those garbage goals.
Printz is a player who could sign following the season, but it wouldn’t be a shock either way. He could certainly benefit from two more developmental seasons under Nate Leaman in Providence.
4. Eduards Tralmaks
Maine, jr., LW, left shot, 6-3/205
Tralmaks saw his production fall off some during his sophomore season following a freshman campaign that saw him rack up 11 goals and 14 assists. The Riga, Latvia, native will be counted on to put the puck in the back of the net for a Black Bears team that lost two key offensive pieces in Keeper and center Chase Pearson.
Tralmaks has a hard shot and he can get it off quickly. He’s good coming off the wall and he’ll drive the net. His skating has gotten remarkably better from when he first came over to the U.S. and was playing for the Boston Bandits in the EHL.
Tralmaks, who has played internationally for his country, is still somewhat of a wildcard, but there’s some physical tools to intrigue scouts.
5. Jonathan McDonald
UMass Lowell, so., D, left shot, 6-0/180
McDonald is probably not a threat to leave after his sophomore season, but scouts will take note of him when watching the River Hawks this season. He’s a defensive defenseman who skates extremely well. He does a good job of closing time and space from opposing forwards. His body positioning and stick make it hard for the opposition to find shooting or passing lanes when he’s on the ice.
He’s not overly big, but he’ll be a player to watch as his college career moves on under Norm Bazin.
