Another college hockey season is set to begin this weekend with a talented group of freshmen looking to make their mark in Hockey East.
Hockey East boasts four first round NHL draft picks, including three on Boston College alone. While rookies from USA Hockey’s NTDP tend to get much of the attention, there are some intriguing under-the-radar prospects entering the league this season.
As usual, Boston College and Boston University have classes loaded with talent. Northeastern continues to narrow the gap in terms of elite talent with the perennial powerhouses. UMass, Providence, and Connecticut also brought in notable freshman classes. Merrimack brings in a staggering 16 freshmen, including a couple who should be impact players in the league.
Recruiting is an interesting beast and different coaches have opposing views on what makes a good commit. With the continued trend of college hockey programs producing NHL players, coaches have had to be more careful in creating a balance between the one or two and done prospects versus those who are likely to stay all four seasons.
