Hockey East draft picks worthy of NHL buzz

The percentage of NHL players with NCAA backgrounds has steadily grown over the years. 

As programs gain attention because of improved facilities and more structured practice regimens, more elite players are taking the college route to continue their amateur development.  

Because of its competitive nature, each NCAA season sees several players make the leap to the NHL and have big impacts right off the bat. Recently, Jack Eichel, Charlie McAvoy and Cale Makar have all jumped to the Show and displayed the benefits of their collegiate careers. 

Now, over halfway through the NCAA season and with playoff hockey on the horizon, we take a look at a few draft picks in Hockey East (and one in ECAC) who are enjoying notable seasons.   

John Leonard, F, Massachusetts

(2018 San Jose, Round 6, No. 182 overall)

Drafted in the summer following his freshman season, Leonard’s NHL stock has only risen as the years have gone on. After reaching the 40-point, 16-goal mark as a sophomore, the Amherst native’s 15 goals as a junior are third-most in the country – one shy of his career season high in half the games. As a natural goal scorer with silky hands and unteachable breakaway speed, there’s no doubt Leonard can light the lamp, so he’s been tasked with improving away from the puck by UMass coach Greg Carvel – and he’s done it, even having an impact on the penalty kill.

David Farrance, D, Boston University

(2017 Nashville, Round 3, No. 92 overall)

Farrance was drafted in the summer before his arrival on Commonwealth Avenue, but his first season wasn’t anything to get too worked up about. After a slow freshman run, the New York native enjoyed a breakout campaign as a sophomore and has taken it even further as a junior. In his third season with the Terriers, Farrance leads BU in all scoring categories with a plus-10. His 11 goals and 25 points are the most among all Hockey East defensemen, while his eight power-play goals are the most among all position players in the conference – tied for the most in Division I. An offensive-minded defenseman at his core, Farrance has gotten better with increased size and experience over the years. As it stands, he’s one of the premier defensemen in the country. 

Tyce Thompson, F, Providence

(2019 New Jersey, Round 4, No. 96 overall) 

Joining the Friars out of the USHL, Thompson didn’t hear his name called in the draft before his freshman season. A year later, after an eight-goal, 25-point freshman campaign in 42 games, he was taken in the fourth round by the New Jersey Devils, and it looks like it’s paying off. As a sophomore, the Milford, Conn., native is on a tear. In just 23 games, he’s already surpassed both totals, scoring 17 goals – tops in the country – with 35 points in four months. To put Thompson’s play into perspective, he doesn’t even play alongside teammate and equally-as-hot Vegas Golden Knights draft pick Jack Dugan, who’s right in front of him for the NCAA scoring lead. He’s done it all on his own line, and if he can keep it up he’ll be in the NHL sooner rather than later as a major steal. 

David Cotton, F, Boston College

(2015 Carolina, Round 6, No. 169 overall)

After three productive seasons with the Eagles, Cotton had the opportunity to forego his senior season, but he stayed for the desire to win, and it’s worked out well. After leading the high-powered BC forward corps in scoring as a junior, the captain is at the top of the totem pole once again, boasting 25 points on 10 goals and 15 assists in 18 games. His offensive abilities are quite apparent, but even more so the Texas native’s 6-foot-2, 200-pound frame allows him to dominate the rest of the ice as a complete two-way player. With size, skill and the smarts as a playmaker on the college stage, Cotton makes a solid case to jump to the next level.  

Tyler Madden, F, Northeastern

(2018 Vancouver, Round 3, No. 68 overall)

After a standout freshman season with the Huskies that culminated with a postseason conference crown and an All-Rookie nod, Madden has cemented his place as one of the top NCAA prospects bound for the NHL in a few short years. As a sophomore, he’s already surpassed his totals from the year before and leads NU in all offensive categories with 30 points on 16 goals – good for the second-most in the country. A highly skilled, two-way player who has an impact across all 200 feet of the ice with good puck protection skills and fast mobility, Madden is doing it all with Jim Madigan’s squad in Boston. He’ll be a valuable asset to a franchise when he makes the leap.   

ECAC: Jack Drury, F, Harvard

(2018 Carolina, Round 2, No. 42 overall)

Jack Drury, 19, plays an explosive game. Through just 12 games as a sophomore, he’s quickly amassed 16 points on seven goals with the Crimson. Taken out of the USHL in the summer before his freshman year, the Illinois native was a reliable scorer last season, and one of the top-20 freshman defensemen in the nation, but he's taking his game to the next level this year. Coming off his World Junior stint with Team USA, Drury is on a good path and will continue to develop his already-solid offensive game under the direction of coach Ted Donato.

Liam Flaherty can be reached at lflaherty24@gmail.com and on Twitter @_LiamFlaherty.