With the 2018-19 ECAC Hockey season quickly approaching, fans eagerly anticipate the drop of the puck. With each new season comes freshmen who can impact a program immediately and others who will become standouts over the course of a four-year career.
Such is the case in ECAC Hockey, as the league welcomes a crop of new players, including several high-profile ones. Seven NHL draft picks are counted among rookies in the league, with Harvard and Yale both boasting two each. Clarkson, Quinnipiac and Cornell are responsible for the other three.
Among locals, Princeton forward Christian O’Neill (Westwood, Mass.) and Harvard defenseman Jack Rathbone (West Roxbury, Mass.) will likely play the most significant roles in 2018-19.
Below is a look at the top freshmen in ECAC Hockey, broken down by position. The forwards are ranked first, then defensemen and finally the goaltenders.
Forwards
1. Jack Drury
Harvard, 2/3/00, Left Shot, 5-11/174, Winnetka, Ill./Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL)
NHL: Carolina Hurricanes (2018, Rd. 2 - #42 Overall)
As captain of P.K. O’Handley’s team in Waterloo, Drury had a breakout 2017-18 season. He posted 27 goals and 43 assists in 64 games, leading the Black Hawks into the playoffs. While his skating is questioned by some scouts, nobody denies his will to win and compete in all three zones. He’ll block shots, kill penalties and win face-offs. Whatever it takes to win, he will do. If his name sounds familiar, it should. He’s the son of former Harvard star Ted Drury and the nephew of 1998 Hobey Baker Award winner Chris Drury. The latter enjoyed a lengthy NHL career after playing at Boston University.
2. Baker Shore
Harvard, 8/20/99, Right Shot, 5-11/170, Cherry Hills, Colo./Chicago Steel (USHL)
NHL: 2019 drat eligible
Shore had 25 goals and 29 assists in 67 USHL games last season, his second year of USHL action. He’s a smart player, which allows him to open up time and space, despite not being the biggest player. He’s strong on pucks and has skill.
3. Nick Campoli
Clarkson, 2/16/99, Left Shot, 5-11/190, Toronto, Ont./North York Rangers (OJHL)
NHL: Vegas Golden Knights (2017, Rd. 6 - #158 Overall)
Campoli was supposed to arrive in Potsdam, N.Y., last winter, but an issue surrounding the NCAA Clearinghouse kept him in the OJHL for another season. He’s a skilled offensive producer who should provide a jolt to the Golden Knights’ attack.
4. Christian O’Neill
Princeton, 6/17/98, Left Shot, 5-11/174, Westwood, Mass./Omaha Lancers (USHL)
NHL: Free Agent
O’Neill is a terrific skater who far exceeded expectations in Omaha last season. The Belmont Hill alum uses his skating to create offense on the rush and has excellent vision. Some Big Ten schools were hot on his trail after his breakout season in the USHL, but he kept his commitment to the Tigers and will play a big role at Princeton.
5. William Fallstrom
Quinnipiac, 2/3/98, Right Shot, 5-11/180, Stockholm, Sweden/Fargo Force (USHL)
NHL: NHL Free Agent
The former Golden Gopher recruit had 16 goals and 38 assists in 72 USHL games for the Clark Cup Champion Fargo Force last season. His older brother, Alexander, played at Harvard from 2009-2013. While he doesn’t have as high of a ceiling as some players ranked below, he should step in and play a significant role immediately.
6. Michael Regush
Cornell, 9/12/98, Right Shot, 6-0/205, Surrey, B.C./Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
NHL: Free Agent
After two seasons playing for Merritt in the BCHL, Regush made the move to the USHL for 2017-18. He scored 21 goals and 35 assists in 69 games for Youngstown, a team that made it all the way to the finals of the Clark Cup Playoffs.
7. Curtis Hall
Yale, 4/26/00, Right Shot, 6-3/206, Princeton, N.J./Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
NHL: Boston Bruins (2018, Rd. 4 - #119 Overall)
Hall is a big, two-way center, who projects as a bottom-six player down the line. His shot, when he can get it off, is lethal. He had 16 goals and 21 assists in 65 games for Youngstown last winter. He was a USHL All-Rookie Team performer in 2016-17.
8. Casey Dornbach
Harvard, 7/7/97, Right Shot, 5-11/181, Edina, Minn./Lincoln Stars (USHL)
NHL: Free Agent
Dornbach had 24 goals and 37 assists in 66 games for the Lincoln Stars last season en route to being named a USHL Third Team All-Star. His experience could allow him to produce right away.
9. Max Andreyev
Cornell, 10/22/98, Left Shot, 5-11/174, Moscow, Russia/Central Illinois Flying Aces (USHL)
NHL: Free Agent
The Russian has played in the U.S. for a few seasons now. He spent time with the New York Bobcats and New Jersey Titans before playing last season in Central Illinois, where he compiled 12 goals and 31 assists in 56 games. He’s a playmaker who should find his way into the top six for the Big Red.
10. Adam Tisdale
Clarkson, 11/9/98, Left Shot, 5-10/174, Cochrane, Alta./Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL)
NHL: Free Agent
After two seasons with the Canmore Eagles in the AJHL, Tisdale finished his junior career with Dubuque in the USHL. He had 18 goals and 15 assists in 50 games. His vision should make him an impact playmaker over his career with Casey Jones’ program.
11. Wyatt Bongiovanni
Quinnipiac, 7/24/99, Left Shot, 6-0/192, Birmingham, Mich./Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
NHL: 2019 draft eligible
Bongiovanni has always been one of the better ‘99s in the U.S., but he took a while to get a college commit. He plays a solid, mature game with and away from the puck. He has a quick, hard release when he gets it off. He had 19 goals and 20 assists in 39 games with Muskegon last winter.
12. Ethan De Jong
Quinnipiac, 7/12/99, Right Shot, 5-10/170, North Vancouver, B.C./Prince George Spruce Kings (BCHL)
NHL: 2019 draft eligible
De Jong had a hugely productive season in his final year of junior hockey in the BCHL. He put up 30 goals and 60 assists in 74 games as the Spruce Kings went deep into the playoffs. He played for Canada West at the World Junior A Challenge.
13. Wyllum Deveaux
Harvard, 8/30/00, Left Shot, 6-1/174, Sackville, N.S./Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL)
NHL: 2019 draft eligible
A highly-touted prospect out of the Don Mills Flyers program in the GTHL, Deveaux never produced the way many thought he might in the USHL. Despite that, he’s a very talented player coming to Harvard. Perhaps he could have used another season of junior hockey, but he’s a prospect with pro size and tools if he can put it all together.
14. Corey Andonovski
Princeton, 3/26/99, Right Shot, 5-11/165, Uxbridge, Ont./Chilliwack Chiefs (BCHL)
NHL: 2019 draft eligible
Andonovski is an alum of St. Andrew’s College, a prestigious prep school in Canada. He's an extremely-smart, good-skating, two-way forward who has the chance to be a solid four-year player for Ron Forgarty’s program.
15. Jakub Lacka
Rensselaer, 11/20/98, Right Shot, 5-10/174, Bratislava, Slovakia/Central Illinois Flying Aces (USHL)
NHL: Free Agent
Second year assistant Dan Jewell used his Central Illinois connection to bring Lacka to Troy, N.Y. The Bratislava, Slovakia, native had 15 goals and 15 assists for the Flying Aces in the USHL.
16. Joshua Dunne
Clarkson, 12/8/98, Left Shot, 6-4/207, O’Fallon, Mo./Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)
NHL: Free Agent
In his third season with the Gamblers, Dunne wore an ‘A’ for Pat Mikesch’s team, posting 21 goals and 27 assists in 62 games.
17. Griffin Lunn
Colgate, 11/15/97, Right Shot, 5-11/190, Lockport, N.Y./Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL)
NHL: Free Agent
Lunn, who will play close to home in Hamilton, N.Y., had 15 goals and 13 assists in 55 games between Central Illinois and Sioux Falls last season. An older freshman, Lunn previously played prep school hockey for Nichols School in Buffalo, N.Y.
18. Finn Evans
Princeton, 8/21/99, Right Shot, 6-4/174, Toronto, Ont./Ottawa Jr. Senators (CCHL)
NHL: 2019 draft eligible
Evans is a big-bodied right wing who was once a highly-touted prospect. He was drafted in the third round of the OHL Priority Selection by the London Knights in 2015. He bounced around between the OJHL, BCHL and CCHL during his junior days. His best season was in 2016-17, qhwn he scored 26 goals and 37 assists in 53 games for the St. Mike’s Buzzers of the OJHL.
19. Desi Burgart
Quinnipiac, 9/28/98, Left Shot, 6-1/181, North Vancouver, B.C./Surrey Eagles (BCHL)
NHL: Free Agent
Burgart comes to Quinnipiac after three seasons in the BCHL. He had a solid regular season for Surrey in 2017-18, but turned it up a notch with 10 goals in 12 playoff games.
20. Chase Brakel
Cornell, 12/1/98, Right Shot, 5-10/165, Winnipeg, Man./Portage Terriers (MJHL)
NHL: Free Agent
Brakel put up huge numbers over the last three seasons with the Portage Terriers – 101 goals and 118 assists in 205 career MJHL games, to be exact. He could be a nice diamond in the rough for the Big Red. He earned MJHL All-Star recognition each of the past two seasons.
Honorable Mention
Lucas Breault
Union, 5/20/99, Right Shot, 5-8/154, Woodbridge, Ont./Central Illinois Flying Aces (USHL)
NHL: 2019 draft eligible
After two seasons with the St. Mike’s Buzzers in the OJHL, Breault finished his junior career in the USHL, splitting time between Sioux Falls and Central Illinois. Combined, he finished the 2017-18 season with six goals and nine assists in 59 games.
Matthew Cassidy
Quinnipiac, 7/31/99, Right Shot, 6-0/185, Medford, N.J./Brooks Bandits (AJHL)
NHL: 2019 draft eligible
A Team Comcast product, Cassidy had 18 goals and 28 assists in 65 games for Brooks in the AJHL. Cassidy has good instincts with the puck and is well-regarded as a three-time participant in USA Hockey Player Development Camps.
Tristan Crozier
Brown, 2/23/98, Right Shot, 5-11/165, Calgary, Alta./Nanaimo Clippers (BCHL)
NHL: Free Agent
Crozier comes to Brown after four seasons of junior hockey, including his final one with Nanaimo, where he scored 22 goals and 39 assists in 58 games.
Carson Dimoff
St. Lawrence, 5/11/99, Left Shot, 5-11/185, Scottsdale, Ariz./Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL)
NHL: 2019 draft eligible
Dimoff comes to Canton, N.Y., thanks to his connection with assistant Matt Deschamps, who coached him overseas with the Red Bull Salzburg team. Dimoff had eight goals and 10 assists in 52 games with Sioux Falls last season.
Jake Harris
Brown, 4/10/98, Left Shot, 5-9/165, Toronto, Ont./Nanaimo Clippers (BCHL)
NHL: Free Agent
Harris, who former Brown assistant Josh Ciocco watched extensively in the BCHL, had 20 goals and 27 assists in an injury-shortened 2017-18 season with Nanaimo.
Blake Hayward
Union, 2/11/98, Left Shot, 6-1/194, Vancouver, B.C./Prince George Spruce Kings (BCHL)
NHL: Free Agent
Hayward is a big, bottom-six forward who 18 goals and nine assists in 55 BCHL games last winter.
Justin Jallen
Brown, 1/6/98, Left Shot, 5-8/161, Woodbury, Minn./Northeast Generals (NAHL)
NHL: Free Agent
The St. Paul Academy alum had 23 goals and 25 assists in 63 games for the Northeast Generals, a second-year NAHL team playing out of the New England Sports Village in Attleboro, Mass.
David Jankowski
St. Lawrence, 5/25/97, Right Shot, 6-1/174, Dundas, Ont./Hawkesbury Hawks (CCHL)
NHL: Free Agent
After playing at Stanstead College and Salisbury, Jankowski put up good numbers in two seasons with Hawkesbury in the CCHL. Last year, he potted 39 goals and 56 assists in 71 games. He’s the younger brother of former Providence star and Calgary Flames first-round pick Mark Jankowski.
Kyle Johnson
Yale, 6/3/98, Right Shot, 5-9/161, Port Moody, B.C./Prince George Spruce Kings (BCHL)
NHL: Free Agent
Johnson is an undersized forward who seemingly turns up his game in the playoffs. He had five goals in four playoff games in 2016-17 and seven goals and 11 assists in 24 playoff games in 2018-19.
Christian LeSueur
Dartmouth, 1/7/99, Right Shot, 5-10/174, Greenwich, Conn./Brunswick School (NEPSAC)
NHL: 2019 draft eligible
LeSueur wins everywhere he goes, whether it be with Mid Fairfield in 2016-17 or Brunswick in 2017-18. He’s a gifted offensive player who should help the Big Green down the road. A year of junior hockey would have helped.
Michael Lombardi
Quinnipiac, 8/20/98, Left Shot, 6-0/181, Barrington, R.I./West Kelowna Warriors (BCHL)
NHL: Free Agent
Lombardi is a winner. He’s not the flashiest of players, but he does many of the little things required to win hockey games. He’ll compete hard in all three zones and hunt pucks. He had 16 goals and 21 assists in 48 BCHL games last winter after graduating from prep powerhouse Kimball Union in 2017.
Jeffrey Losurdo
Dartmouth, 3/9/98, Right Shot, 6-0/183, Chicago, Ill./Jersey Hitmen (USPHL NCDC)
NHL: Free Agent
Losurdo had the most points in the USPHL NCDC and was honored as league MVP. He had 30 goals and 38 assists in 54 games. The Chicago Fury youth product played the 2016-17 season in the USHL.
Michael Maloney
Brown, 2/17/98, Right Shot, 5-10/185, McHenry, Ill./Omaha Lancers (USHL)
NHL: Free Agent
Maloney spent the 2017-18 season with three different USHL teams, but finished the season in Omaha. He’s a bottom-six forward who will kill penalties and play with an edge.
Sam Morton
Union, 7/28/99, Left Shot, 5-11/165, Lafayette, Colo./Wenatchee Wild (BCHL)
NHL: 2019 draft eligible
Morton had a good final season of junior hockey in Wenatchee. He posted 35 goals and 44 assists in 78 games, helping his team win the BCHL championship.
Liam Motley
Cornell, 5/8/97, Left Shot, 6-4/185, Calgary, Alta./Whitecourt Wolverines (AJHL)
NHL: Free Agent
Motley is a big power forward who scored 26 goals and 38 assists in 74 AJHL games last season, his third year in the league.
R.J. Murphy
Harvard, 10/2/98, Left Shot, 6-2/187, Needham, Mass./West Kelowna Warriors (BCHL)
NHL: Free Agent
Murphy was once regarded as a potential NHL Draft prospect, but his compete and skating never rose to the level where a NHL team could take him. After playing prep at St. Sebastian’s, he played a few games in Dubuque of the USHL last season and in the BCHL with West Kelowna.
Justin Pearson
Yale, 5/17/98, Left Shot, 6-1/185, Nashua, N.H./Islanders HC (USPHL NCDC)
NHL: Free Agent
The former Bishop Guertin star was somewhat of a late bloomer, but became one of the top players in the USPHL NCDC last season. He finished the year with 34 goals and 31 assists in 57 games as the Islanders won the Dineen Cup as USPHL NCDC champions.
Kaden Pickering
St. Lawrence, 12/17/98, Right Shot, 5-10/185, Madrid, N.Y./Chilliwack Chiefs (BCHL)
NHL: Free Agent
Pickering is an extremely fast player who will play close to home with the Saints. He’s never quite put up the numbers he’s capable of with his skating ability. He’ll be a fan favorite with his speed.
Zachary Risteau
St. Lawrence, 2/23/98, Left Shot, 5-9/168, Lakeville, Minn./Merritt Centennials (BCHL)
NHL: Free Agent
The Benilde-St. Margaret’s School alum split last season with Central Illinois in the USHL and Merritt in the BCHL. He had nine goals and 14 assists in 25 BCHL games.
Jeff Stewart
Colgate, 2/23/98, Left Shot, 6-3/190, Surrey, B.C./Surrey Eagles (BCHL)
NHL: Free Agent
Stewart spent the past three seasons playing for his hometown team in the BCHL. He finished the 2017-18 season with 24 goals and 33 assists in 67 games.
Erik Urbank
Dartmouth, 3/29/99, Right Shot, 6-1/174, Orchard Park, N.Y./Chicago Steel (USHL)
NHL: 2019 draft eligible
Urbank, who played previously with Nichols School and Buffalo Jr. Sabres, has a big frame. He'll likely be a bottom-six winger for the Big Green. He finished 2017-18 with 12 goals and 12 assists in 61 games between Des Moines and Chicago in the USHL.
Guus van Nes
Quinnipiac, 2/14/97, Left Shot, 6-3/190, Dordrecht, Netherlands/Junior Bruins (USPHL NCDC)
NHL: Free Agent
van Nes became one of the hotter commodities in the USPHL NCDC after two solid seasons. Last year, he put up 16 goals and 40 assists in 41 games.
Defensemen
1. Graham Lillibridge
Yale, 1/29/99, Left Shot, 5-9/157, Geneva, Ill./Chicago Steel (USHL)
NHL: 2019 draft eligible
The 2017-18 USHL First Team All-Star comes to New Haven with three years of junior experience and numerous appearances on the international stage. While undersized, he competes hard and can defend with his feet and good stick in his own zone. His offensive production speaks for itself. His swift feet allow him to escape forecheckers, break pucks up ice with his skating and get shots through from the point.
2. Jack St. Ivany
Yale, 7/22/99, Right Shot, 6-3/198, Manhattan Beach, Calif./Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL)
NHL: Philadelphia Flyers (2018, Rd. 4 - #112 Overall)
St. Ivany has always intrigued scouts with his size and overall physical tools, but his game elevated to the next level last season. He had seven goals and 32 assists in 57 USHL games, earning USHL Third Team All-Star accolades. He was rewarded for his development by getting selected in the fourth round of the 2018 NHL Draft.
3. Matt Kellenberger
Princeton, 1/11/99, Right Shot, 6-0/183, Toronto, Ont./Oakville Blades (OJHL)
NHL: 2019 draft eligible
Kellenberger put up gaudy numbers in his two years with the Oakville Blades in the OJHL. He was very impressive at the 2017 OJHL Showcase in Buffalo. His skating and vision are both above average. His experience in junior hockey should allow him to step right in at Princeton.
4. Jack Rathbone
Harvard, 5/20/99, Left Shot, 5-10/170, West Roxbury, Mass./Dexter School (NEPSAC)
NHL: Vancouver Canucks (2017, Rd. 4 - #95 Overall)
Rathbone’s shot from the point and dynamic ability to move pucks up ice have never been questioned. He has a cannon of a one-timer and his flashy style is fun to watch. However, his play in his own zone could provide some bumps in the road during his freshman campaign.
5. Peter DiLiberatore
Quinnipiac, 3/31/00, Left Shot, 5-11/161, Bedford, N.S./Salisbury (NEPSAC)
NHL: Vegas Golden Knights (2018, Rd. 6 - #180 Overall)
DiLiberatore is a tremendous talent and likely should have first played a year of junior hockey. His skating and athletic ability allow him to move pucks up ice and get shots on net from the point. His offensive capabilities will be a huge asset for QU, especially on the power play. His defensive zone positioning and tendency to watch plays sometimes gets him in trouble.
6. Joe Leahy
Cornell, 4/29/97, Left Shot, 6-3/201, Waterloo, Ont./Salmon Arm Silverbacks (BCHL)
NHL: Free Agent
Leahy was on the Salmon Arm Silverbacks last season after a late-season trade from Penticton. He’s a solid two-way defenseman with size.
7. Mike Ufberg
Princeton, 9/24/98, Left Shot, 5-10/181, Richboro, Pa./Vernon Vipers (BCHL)
NHL: Free Agent
Ufberg is a little undersized, but he’s a great puck-moving defenseman who came up through the Team Comcast and North Jersey Avalanche organizations. He was a BCHL All-Rookie team honoree in 2016-17 and was named a BCHL Second Team All-Star in 2017-18.
8. Zach Metsa
Quinnipiac, 10/19/98, Right Shot, 5-11/179, Delafield, Wis./Central Illinois Flying Aces (USHL)
NHL: Free Agent
Metsa comes to Hamden after a season in the USHL with Youngstown and Central Illinois. He previously played in the BCHL. He’s adept at moving pucks north and excelling in puck possession. His defensive zone coverage needs some improvement.
9. Jeff Clarke
St. Lawrence, 4/15/99, Left Shot, 6-4/216, Komoka, Ont./Oakville Blades (OJHL)
NHL: 2019 draft eligible
A big defender, Clark played in just 37 games last winter, compiling a goal and 14 assists for Oakville in the OJHL.
10. Brady Ferner
Rensselaer, 8/27/97, Right Shot, 5-9/181, Dakota Dunes, S.D./Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)
NHL: Free Agent
Ferner was the captain in Sioux City last season, amassing two goals and 17 assists by playing in all 60 games with the Musketeers. Perhaps equally as important, he brings four seasons of junior hockey experience to Troy, N.Y.
Honorable Mention
Marcus Chorney
Quinnipiac, 9/16/97, Right Shot, 5-11/170, Hastings, Minn./Amarillo Bulls (NAHL)
NHL: Free Agent
The Shattuck St. Mary’s product played the past two seasons in the NAHL with the Amarillo Bulls. He scored seven goals and 22 assists in 60 games last season. His older brother, Taylor, a North Dakota alum, played in the NHL for a few seasons and now plays pro in Europe.
Dorian Dawson
Brown, 5/29/97, Left Shot, 6-2/207, Barrie, Ont./Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)
NHL: Free Agent
Dawson comes to Brown after four years of junior hockey, including the last one in the USHL. He’s not much for the offensive end of the ice, but he’s big, strong and could provide a physical presence. He racked up 83 and 92 penalty minutes in his final two seasons of juniors.
Fletcher Fineman
Union, 2/17/99, Right Shot, 6-2/190, Lake Worth, Fla./Springfield Blues (NAHL)
NHL: 2019 draft eligible
Fineman is a good skater for his size and will do a nice job getting in the way of shooting and passing lanes. He won’t provide much offense from the blue line, but he’s a steady defender who will thrive under head coach Rick Bennett.
Jake Johnson
Rensselaer, 8/13/98, Left Shot, 6-0/174, Bloomington, Minn./Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL)
NHL: Free Agent
Johnson had a goal and 17 assists in 51 USHL games for the RoughRiders. He should bring some size and toughness to the RPI blue line.
Harrison Markell
Dartmouth, 2/12/97, Right Shot, 6-1/194, Andover, Mass./Junior Bruins (USPHL NCDC)
NHL: Free Agent
The Middlesex School alum was named the Top Defenseman in the USPHL NCDC last winter during his final season of junior hockey eligibility. He had six goals and 19 assists in 41 games for the Junior Bruins.
Sami Pharaon
Princeton, 5/28/99, Right Shot, 5-11/174, Vancouver, B.C./Alberni Valley Bulldogs (AJHL)
NHL: 2019 draft eligible
Pharaon is another new Princeton blueliner who will do a nice job setting up the Tigers in transition. He had two goals and 20 assists in 62 games for the Alberni Valley Bulldogs.
Marshall Rifai
Harvard, 3/16/98, Left Shot, 6-1/187, Beaconsfield, Que./Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL)
NHL: Free Agent
Rifai is extremely skilled. The Hotchkiss alum has some of the best feet and skating ability of any incoming freshman in the country. However, his hockey sense and play in his own zone have held him back. He was once thought to be a potential NHL draft pick.
Michael Ryan
Union, 1/19/97, Right Shot, 5-11/165, Atlanta, Ga./West Kelowna Warriors (BCHL)
NHL: Free Agent
The Tabor alum spent the past two winters in the BCHL with the West Kelowna Rockets. He had eight goals and 38 assists in 62 games last season.
Ryan Sidorski
Union, 10/2/99, Right Shot, 6-2/170, Williamsville, N.Y./Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL)
NHL: 2019 draft eligible
The Buffalo Jr. Sabres product spent the final six games of last season with Sioux Falls in the USHL. He’s not going to jump into the offense often, but he’s solid in his own zone. He brings some toughness and does a good job on retrievals and first touches.
Michael Schumacher
St. Lawrence, 2/15/99, Left Shot, 5-10/161, Bismarck, N.D./Madison Capitols (USHL)
NHL: 2019 draft eligible
A Shattuck St. Mary’s product, Schumacher has a high hockey IQ and competes hard in his own zone, especially considering his small stature. He had nine assists in 56 games for Madison last season.
Misha Song
Cornell, 1/31/97, Left Shot, 6-0/168, Beijing, China/Madison Capitols (USHL)
NHL: New York Islanders (2015, Rd. 6 - #172 Overall)
The first Chinese player ever drafted into the NHL played the past two seasons with Madison in the USHL. He previously played for Lawrenceville School and Phillips Andover.
Goaltender
1. Mitchell Benson
Colgate, 11/18/97, Catches Left, 6-2/181, Windsor, Ont./Brooks Bandits (AJHL)
NHL: Free Agent
Benson had two very good years statistically in the AJHL with Brooks. He could earn plenty of ice time early, considering Colton Point left early to sign with the Dallas Stars.
2. Nate McDonald
Cornell, 8/11/99, Catches Left, 6-2/190, North Bay, Ont./Markham Royals (OJHL)
NHL: 2019 draft eligible
The former NOJHL MVP and All-Star had a pedestrian regular season, but turned it on with a .937 save percentage in six playoff games in the OJHL. McDonald will be eased into action behind star Matthew Galajda.
3. Emil Zetterquist
St. Lawrence, 9/21/98, Catches Left, 6-1/190, Stockholm, Sweden/Coulee Region Chill (NAHL)
NHL: Free Agent
Zetterquist had a .916 save percentage last season in the NAHL, his first playing in North America.
4. Gabriel Vinal
Brown, 1/12/99, Catches Left, 6-2/185, East Syracuse, N.Y./Aberdeen Wings (NAHL)
NHL: 2019 draft eligible
The Syracuse Stars product has always been one of the better goaltenders in his age group among U.S.-born players. He had a .915 save percentage in the NAHL last year. Brown’s staff will hope he can cure some of the goaltending woes that have hurt the program over the past several years.
5. Jeremie Forget
Princeton, 10/15/97, Catches Left, 6-1/172, Mascouche, Que./Carleton Place Canadians (CCHL)
NHL: Free Agent
The former Tabor Academy goaltender put up great numbers in the CCHL last season. He had the best goals against average and save percentage in the league en route to being honored as a Third Team All-Star.
6. Justin Ferguson
Dartmouth, 8/6/97, Catches Left, 6-2/165, Hudson, N.H./Islanders HC (USPHL NCDC)
NHL: Free Agent
Ferguson, who will play close to home in Hanover, N.H., was named the Best Goaltender in the USPHL NCDC last season after posting a .915 save percentage.
