The growing pipeline from NCAA hockey to the NHL has opened a unique path to the Show. As more players are taking the college route, teams are becoming more likely to keep their eyes on undrafted NCAA free agents.
Unlike players who are drafted before they play a single game or right after a standout freshman year, the older, undrafted players can be appealing to teams because they often have more experience that prepares them for a quick jump to the pro stage.
With less than three months until the end of the season, we take a peek at undrafted free agents playing in Hockey East who are making the best cases to get themselves on NHL radars.
Mitchell Chaffee
22 years old, University of Massachusetts, RW, right shot
Mitchell Chaffee played a major role in UMass’ unprecedented run to the national title game last season.
Through 40 games, the Michigan native racked up 42 points to earn a First-Team All-American nod and was the Hockey East scoring champion.
Even with the growing hype surrounding his stock coming out of his sophomore season, Chaffee decided to stay another year with Greg Carvel in Amherst, where he is donning the “C” in Year Three. Safe to say, it’s worked out.
Through 26 games as a junior, the 6-foot, 205-pound power forward has amassed 29 points on 16 goals and 13 assists – good for second in the league behind teammate John Leonard (San Jose Sharks draft pick). All in all, his size, shot and improved skating, as well as his versatile hockey mind, make him a coveted free agent.
Greg Printz
21 years old, Providence College, LW, left shot
After a slow freshman campaign with the Friars, Greg Printz found his groove in his sophomore year and has carried it over as a junior.
After missing the 10-goal mark in both of his seasons in the USHL and as a freshman, the Virginia native got things going and scored 11 goals on the way to the Frozen Four last year. He’s kept it up in Year Three with 24 points on 14 goals and 10 assists in 25 games.
Although a bit of a late bloomer on the collegiate stage, Printz is developing nicely under coach Nate Leaman, refining his game and making his case as a solid role player. With good size (6-2, 219) and a hard shot, Printz could very well become a valuable asset to an NHL team.
Julius Mattila
22 years old, Boston College, C, left shot
In his fourth year on Comm. Ave, Julius Mattila has become a commonplace name on the Eagles along with twin brother Jesper, averaging 10 goals a year. But while Jesper’s free-agent stock has taken a bit of a hit, Julius’ has gone through the roof. Even with the plethora of young talent BC brought in this season – three first-round draft picks – Mattila continues to lead in scoring.
Through 22 games, he has 30 points on 7 goals and 23 assists, constantly setting up the new guys and his veteran linemates, David Cotton (Carolina Hurricanes draft pick) and Logan Hutsko (Florida Panthers draft pick), who make up BC’s core.
A main piece on the third-most productive offense in the country, the Finland native has the size, skill and experience of playing a fast-paced game with some of the nation’s premier scorers. He is a seasoned UFA who should get NHL scouts excited as soon as he enters the market again.
Zach Solow
21 years old, Northeastern University, C, right shot
Solow is a work horse. In three seasons with the Huskies, the Florida-born forward has played in all 99 games. After a hot start as a freshman with 26 points on 21 assists, he was down in points as a sophomore, but started scoring more goals.
As a junior, he’s showing off the effects of his offseason work to the tune of 9 goals and 14 assists. Of 23 points, 13 are on the power play.
At 5-foot-9, 183 pounds, he might not have the best size, but he makes up for it with energy and playmaking. With good speed, finishing skills and the ability to fit into a variety of situations, Solow looks more and more appealing for a bid to make it to the next level, especially, like all players entering the postseason and the important months of March and April, if he keeps it up.
Mitchell Fossier
23 years old, University of Maine, LW, left shot
Fossier has improved with each season in Orono. After leading the Black Bears in scoring as a junior, the Georgia native is set to surpass his career high as a senior. Through 25 games, he’s influencing games and making key plays at a torrid pace.
Of his 31 points, 25 have come as assists, and alongside fellow UFA Tim Doherty, Fossier is the heartbeat of a down Maine team.
Although slightly undersized at 5-foot-11, 185 pounds, Fossier is a versatile, grind-it-out player who just makes plays. With a knack for running the attack and scoring, he’s turning heads and is one to watch when the free-agent market reopens at the end of the NCAA season in April.
Honorable mentions: Patrick Curry (Boston University), Casey Dornbach (Harvard, ECAC)
Liam Flaherty can be reached at lflaherty24@gmail.com and on Twitter @_LiamFlaherty.
