With the NCAA Division 1 field now down to the teams headed to the Frozen Four in Boston April 7-9, NHL teams are opening up the checkbooks to sign drafted prospects and undrafted free agents.
Harvard center Nick Abruzzese, for example, opted out of his final years of college eligibility to sign with the Leafs, who took him in the fourth round in 2019.
There are also a multitude of graduating players and even a few with NCAA eligibility left who are expected to sign in the coming days, or in the case of Denver, Michigan, Minnesota and Minnesota State-Mankato, when their seasons end after next weekend. We’ll take a quick look at who has gone pro, and who might be close behind them/where they could be going.
Three who signed
Ronnie Attard, D, Philadelphia Flyers 6-3/208
The late bloomer out of Michigan turned a record-setting (since broken) season with the Tri-City Storm in the USHL into a third-round selection in 2019. The big righty has above average hockey sense, skating and a cannon of a shot. He appeared to score the tying goal in the NCAA regional final game against Minnesota, before the goal was overturned on replay due to offside. He’s a high-character individual who wore the ‘C’ in college and juniors, and has the look of a future NHL middle-of-the-roster staple for the Flyers. Don’t sleep on him after he signed a two-year entry-level contract (ELC).
Nick Abruzzese, C, Toronto Maple Leafs 5-9/160
After missing out on the 2020-21 season via the Ivy League’s COVID-related cancellation of all sports, the Slate Hill, N.Y., native was unable to replicate his freshman year production (31 games, 44 points) but was a solid 9 goals, 33 points with the Crimson as a junior. He’s a quick and crafty playmaker who was tremendous with the USHL’s Chicago Steel in 2019, tallying 80 points and leading them to the Clark Cup final series before bowing out to Sioux Falls.
Josh Lopina, C, Anaheim Ducks 6-2/195
The Illinois native and 2021 fourth-rounder who helped UMass win its first national championship in 2021 has a pro-style game as a two-way center who plays a heavy game. He could have stayed with the Minutemen, but as an ’02 who was drafted in his second year of eligibility, he signed a three-year ELC that comes with a max $925,000 average annual value (AAV) cap hit with bonuses.
Three centers expected to sign after Frozen Four
Matty Beniers, C, Seattle Kraken 6-2/175
The Hingham, Mass., native and second overall selection by Seattle is in position to accomplish his biggest goal: the NCAA championship. With a stacked Wolverines team, Beniers and his other early first-round teammates in 2021 all came back are two wins away from a Frozen Four title. No matter what happens, the Kraken are ready to put Beniers onto their inaugural roster to start what should be a long career for the talented two-way center and leader. With 20 goals and 43 points as a sophomore, Michigan’s leading scorer has nothing else to gain by going back for one more year.
John Beecher, C, Boston Bruins 6-3/210
Rumored to be interested in coming out a year ago before shoulder surgery derailed those plans, Beecher has been solid in more of a defensive role in his junior season. The former Salisbury School star and 2019 first-round pick is a gorgeous skater for his size and plays with pace. Whatever he lacks in pure skill and creativity, he should be a fine fit for pro hockey in the right role. Watch for the B’s to sign him and give him a chance to get some games in with the big team, but he may need to see some time in the AHL to get some seasoning before he’s ready for full-time duty. Either way, he’s a high-floor prospect who has the tools to be in the NHL for an extended period of time.
Cole Guttman, C, Tampa Bay 5-10/165
The Denver senior put up career highs of 19 goals and 45 points, and has a shot at going out a champion. Previously with the USHL’s Dubuque Fighting Saints where Tampa made him a sixth-round selection in 2017, he plays with pace and has a sneaky offensive projection in the pros. He’ll likely need some developmental time in the minors, but the Californian is the kind of all-around player that the Lightning have made a lot of hay with over the years and provides the kind of organizational depth needed when roster players take bigger contracts elsewhere.
Undrafted free agents possibilities
Parker Ford, C, Providence 5-9/180
The Friars undoubtedly want the Wakefield, R.I., native back for his senior season, but multiple sources have said that he has NHL contract offers on the table and it could be tough to pass on them. He had a three-year best 27 points in 38 games, but his value lies in his speed, smarts and effort. Ford attended Boston Bruins development camp, along with other high profile undrafted free agents including Minnesota captain Ben Meyers. One factor in him passing on the pro money and opportunity is a chance to play for a strong PC team next season, one that should take big steps forward after an up-and-down year that ultimately ended in disappointment during the Hockey East playoffs. Ford is a winner, and whatever choice he makes, he’s in demand.
Bobby Trivigno, LW, UMass 5-8/152
A class act, the Setauket, N.Y., product wrapped up a stellar college career with a valiant effort against Minnesota in the NCAA regional overtime loss. He’s got a real shot at the Hobey Baker Award, and has several NHL teams in hot pursuit. A lifelong N.Y. Rangers fan, the Broadway Blueshirts appear to have the inside track, but per a report from Mollie Parker of the New York Post, the Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators and Empire State rival N.Y. Islanders are all making aggressive pitches. Of those other teams, the Panthers are most intriguing, as assistant GM Brett Peterson is Trivigno’s former adviser. Whichever team lands Trivigno will be getting a classic underdog with the intelligence, drive and character to thrive in pro hockey. He’s far more than the sum of his physical parts.
Brandon Bussi, G, Western Michigan 6-5/220
As reported by Jeff Cox earlier in the week, the Boston Bruins have significant interest in the former Muskegon Lumberjacks goaltender, who is the Broncos’ all-time wins leader and was a key factor in their first-ever NCAA tournament win over Northeastern. The Long Island native is massive, moves with fluid grace, and tracks pucks well. He has a stellar reputation off the ice as a good teammate and hard worker. The B’s are rumored to have been on him for a long time, though there are several other teams out there who are trying to get in on the action. Watch for Bussi to make a decision soon, and Boston affords him the kind of opportunity that would be intriguing to any goaltender, with a lack of depth in the system right now at the position.
