Each offseason, top college hockey programs prepare to lose talented underclassmen to professional hockey.
While many top programs can reload instead of rebuild, losing a slew of players can sidetrack the program’s success for a few years. Boston College is a good example. The Eagles, one of the top programs in college hockey, hasn’t been the same the last three years after losing Noah Hanifin, Michael Matheson, Ian McCoshen, Steve Santini, Thatcher Demko, Miles Wood, Adam Gilmour, Colin White, Zach Sanford and Alex Tuch early within a two-year span.
Boston University has also been hit hard by early departures, which has kept the team on the younger side, resulting in up and down seasons, despite a myriad of talented players up and down the roster.
This season will be no different for the 20 Division I college hockey programs throughout New England. There are some definite flights risks this spring with a few players who are guaranteed to sign with an NHL organization immediately following the conclusion of the season.
Definitely Gone
Cale Makar
UMass, So., D, Calgary, Alberta
Makar, the fourth overall pick of the Colorado Avalanche in the 2017 NHL Draft, is the front-runner to win the Hobey Baker Memorial Award on his way out of Amherst. He has nine goals and 22 assists in 27 games and has been the driving force behind the best season for the Minutemen in school history. There is zero chance he returns to school.
Joseph Woll
Boston College, Jr., G, Dardenne Prairie, Mo.
An early third-round pick by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2016 NHL Draft, Woll is on his way to pro hockey after doing all he could to backstop the Eagles over the last three seasons. He’s proven he is an elite goaltender at the collegiate level and he’s won a Gold Medal with USA Hockey at the World Junior championship in 2017. Woll has the size, athleticism and fine technical points down to become a successful goaltender at the next level. The Eagles’ coaching staff are prepared for his departure with the impending arrival of likely 2019 first-rounder Spencer Knight.
Greater than 50 percent chance of turning pro
Oliver Wahlstrom
Boston College, Fr., RW, Yarmouth, Maine
Heading into Monday’s Beanpot final, Wahlstrom has just seven goals in 23 games. The sharpshooter who honed his skills with USA Hockey’s NTDP before arriving at BC has had an underwhelming freshman season. Nonetheless, he had a fairly good World Junior Championship and appears destined to sign a contract with the Islanders at the conclusion of BC’s season. It would be a big surprise to see Wahlstrom back at The Heights next season.
Kasper Björkqvist
Providence, Jr., LW, Espoo, Finland
Bjorkqvist has established a nice resume at the amateur hockey ranks, one that includes a Gold Medal in the 2016 World Junior Championship. He’s put up back-to-back double digit goal scoring seasons with the Friars. In addition, he’s physically ready to play a heavy, 200-foot game that pro hockey requires.
Up in the air
Kārlis Čukste
Quinnipiac, Jr., D, Riga, Latvia
There’s little doubt the San Jose Sharks got a good one when they drafted Čukste in the fifth round in 2015. He has size, skates fairly well, and can play well at both ends of the ice. He’s a player the Sharks will likely make a strong push for this off-season so they don’t risk losing him the following summer.
Shane Bowers
Boston University, So., C, Halifax, Nova Scotia
Bowers’ rights are now with Colorado Avalanche after he was traded last year. A first round pick of the Ottawa Senators in 2017, Bowers has showed flashes of brilliance during his two seasons in a Terrier uniform. However, his lack of production has been somewhat befuddling. He’s certainly a smart, 200-foot center who can play in the NHL, but it’s possible the Avs will let him continue to develop for another year at BU.
Adam Fox
Harvard, Jr., D, Jericho, N.Y.
Fox, originally drafted in the third round of the 2016 draft by the Calgary Flames, is now property of the Carolina Hurricanes. The USA Hockey NTDP product has proven all he needs to at the collegiate level. He’s a smart, dynamic, puck-moving, offensive defenseman who has averaged over a point per game for his three seasons under Teddy Donato’s tutelage. However, there are some rumors floating around the hockey community that Fox is looking to go the free agent route and might return to Harvard for his senior season. There’s also the fact that a Harvard degree is a Harvard degree.
Jeremy Davies
Northeastern, Jr., D, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec
Davies, New Jersey Devils’ seventh round pick in 2016, has more than proven he can be a puck-moving, offensive defenseman at the collegiate level. The Huskies are a remarkably better college hockey team due to his presence. While he’s a rover whose turnovers and defensive miscues can be excused at times, he still has a lot to learn in terms of playing without the puck. This will be an interesting decision — both for Davies and the Devils.
Jacob Bryson
Providence, Jr., D, London, Ont.
A fourth round pick of the Buffalo Sabres in 2017, Bryson could opt to turn pro following the season. While he’s on the smaller side, he’s shown he’s more than capable of retrieving pucks and making a good first touch to start the transition. Nate Leaman has described him as the best player on the ice for the Friars on multiple occasions over the past few seasons.
Max Gildon
New Hampshire, So., D, Plano, Texas
A third round pick of the Florida Panthers in 2017, Gildon’s development path has been an interesting one. He was highly regarded as a youngster, earning a commitment to Wisconsin. Then, his stock fell somewhat, and he was dropped by the Badgers. He ended up with the Wildcats where he’s had a solid two seasons, especially with the puck on his stick. He has a great shot from the point and sees the ice well. He’s still somewhat turnover prone and his skating isn’t elite.
Dante Fabbro
Boston University, Jr., D, Coquitlam, British Columbia
Fabbro unexpectedly returned for his junior season with the Terriers. While he continues to put up solid numbers at the offensive end of the ice, his defensive play has been somewhat hit or miss. A former first round pick of the Nashville Predators, Fabbro undoubtedly has the physical tools to play pro hockey. He's another player who come back for a final season on Commonwealth Ave. in order to pursue free agency.
Brandon Duhaime
Providence, Jr., LW, Parkland, Fla.
Duhaime has yet to put up gaudy offensive numbers in his three years of college hockey, but he’s shown that he can play a tough, grind-it-out type of game that will be his bread and butter if he ever makes it to the NHL. He was a fourth round pick of the Minnesota Wild in 2016.
Josh Wilkins
Providence, Jr., C, Raleigh, N.C.
The Friars’ leading scorer is well on his way to a third consecutive season in which he’s reached the double digit goal plateau. He’s a speedy center who can shoot the puck and isn’t afraid to get into the dirty areas. He’s not the biggest center, but he’ll definitely field some offers following the end of the Providence season.
Jack Dugan
Providence, Fr., RW, Rochester, N.Y.
There were rumors Vegas wanted Dugan to hone his skills in the OHL prior to him arriving at Providence. He’s had a good offensive season for Leaman’s club and he’s played well away from the puck, which wasn’t always his forte. He should return to Providence, but you never know in this climate of players leaving early. As a ’98, major junior is no longer an option, which is in Providence’s favor for him returning.
Joel Farabee
Boston University, Fr., LW, Cicero, N.Y.
Farabee, a first round pick of the Philadelphia Flyers in 2018, is a NTDP product whose production has taken off. He had just seven points in his first 13 collegiate games compared to 18 in the last 13. He should probably develop for another season in college before turning pro, but Philadelphia is an organization in need of some good PR so signing a first round pick might not be out of the question.
Adam Huska
Connecticut, Jr., G, Zvolen, Slovakia
Huska’s numbers have taken a hit with a porous defense in front of him, but he’s still a big, talented goaltender that has pro hockey upside. His one flaw is he goes down too early at times. With the Rangers possibly losing him to free agency if he returns for his senior season, this will be an interesting signing decision.
Jake Oettinger
Boston University, Jr., G, Lakeville, Minn.
Oettinger is one of the more calm, cool, and collected goaltenders in college hockey. However, he’s fought the puck at times while playing in back of a young and inexperienced lineup. As a first round pick in 2017, it’s hard to believe he might be back for his senior season, but weirder things have happened.
Chad Krys
Boston University, Jr., D, Coquitlam, Ridgefield, Conn.
Krys was at one point considered the top defenseman in his age group, but he's never developed into the type of player many scouts, college coaches, and agents envisioned. Still, he's an adequate, puck-moving defenseman. The biggest concern is his defensive play and whether or not he can deal with the grind of professional hockey. He's struggled when the physicality picks up in games.
Mattias Goransson
UMass Lowell, Jr., D, Slottsbron, Sweden
Goransson is a top free agent pick among undrafted Hockey East defensemen. He plays a steady, mature game at both ends of the ice. He can bring it physically, but he does a good job of playing well positionally. He’s able to contribute at the offensive end of the ice in college, but he’d be primarily a shutdown defender moving on to pro hockey.
Brogan Rafferty
Quinnipiac, Jr., D, Dundee, Ill.
Rafferty is another potential college free agent signing out east. He’s put up fairly good offensive numbers and there were rumors he’d sign following his sophomore season. He’s a major reason the Bobcats have such good depth on the blue line.
John Marino
Harvard, Jr., D, North Easton, Mass.
The former South Shore Kings product has seen his production drop off this season. A sixth round pick of the Edmonton Oilers in 2015, Marino has good size, plays a simple game, and has proven to be a good collegiate defenseman. He should absolutely return to Harvard for his senior season, but there are some doubts being thrown around by his camp. The other issue at play is the shakeup at the top of the Oilers’ organization and whether the new regime will want to sign him.
Almost definitely returning
Jay O’Brien
Providence, Fr., RW, Hingham, Mass.
The former Thayer standout was taken much higher than expected, 19th overall by the Philadelphia Flyers at the 2018 NHL Draft. However, his freshman season has been riddled with injuries and he’s still seemingly adjusting from the big jump up from prep hockey. With just two goals and two assists in 19 games, there’s little reason to think O’Brien won’t be back for at least another season at Providence.
Cayden Primeau
Northeastern, So., G, Voorhees, N.J.
Goaltenders often take longer to sign than forwards and defensemen. Primeau has put up good numbers in both of his seasons on St. Botolph Street. The Canadiens snagging him in the seventh round of the 2017 NHL Draft is looking like a steal. The organization hasn’t always been friendly to college hockey, but expect Primeau to be back for another season.
Jeremy Swayman
Maine, So., G, Anchorage, Alaska
The Bruins’ organizational depth chart is a little thin at the goaltending position, but expect Don Sweeney and company to let Swayman simmer for at least one more season in Orono. Swayman’s meteoric rise up the hockey development ladder has been a pleasant surprise. Many scouts familiar with NCAA hockey consider him to be one of the best goaltenders in college hockey.
Ruslan Iskhakov
Connecticut, Fr., LW, Moscow, Russia
Iskhakov, a second round pick of the New York Islanders in 2018, is on the smaller side and hasn’t proven he can score on a consistent basis at the collegiate level. He’s also shown he’s no where ready physically. He has started to produce more of late, but expect the Russian to be back for a second season at UConn.
Tyler Madden
Northeastern, Fr., C, Deerfield Beach, Fla.
Madden has wowed the college hockey world with his dangling moves and his goal celebrations. The right-shot center has a NHL pedigree with his father, John Madden, having played in the league and now coaching in the AHL. However, the elder Madden spent four seasons at Michigan. While Madden’s skating and hands are elite, he’s still needing to fill out his frame in order to take the pounding necessary to competing in the dirty areas at the next level.
Mario Ferraro
Massachusetts, So., D, King City, Ontario
Due to playing on the second pairing away from Makar, the 2017 second round pick of the San Jose Sharks has been a little under the radar this season. While more attention should be paid to just how good he is, he’ll probably last one more season in Amherst before turning pro.
Mitchell Chaffee
Massachusetts, So., RW, Rockford, Mich.
Chaffee is without a doubt one of the top college free agents out east, but he’ll likely spend one more season at UMass before turning pro. His ability to grind, play in all situations, and use his size and strength to his advantage are all assets pro teams appreciate. He’s put up back-to-back double digit goal scoring seasons in Hockey East, which was somewhat unexpected given that he never reached double digits in two USHL seasons.
John Leonard
Massachusetts, So., C, Amherst, Mass.
The hometown kid is the leading scorer for the Minutemen and is certainly an intriguing prospect for the San Jose Sharks. However, he’s on the smaller side and the Sharks still have him under control so expect him to come back for his junior season, despite being a ’98.
Ryan Lohin
UMass Lowell, Jr., C, Chadds Ford, Pa.
Lohin is a smart, cerebral, 200-foot center that has led the River Hawks in scoring the past two seasons. His compete is one concern the Tampa Bay Lightning might have in whether or not to sign him after this season. Expect him back in a UML uniform next season.
Spenser Young
Providence, Jr., D, Brentwood, N.H.
Young is a talented, puck-moving defenseman who also plays tough and his compete and will are off the charts. He’s battled some injuries and has played with a nagging lower body injury this season. Expect Young to be back for his senior season, but there will be some interest in signing him. In addition to him attending Islanders Development Camp last off-season, there were other teams looking for him at their camps.
