<p>Most NCAA teams are either at or nearing the 10-game mark this season, so we’ve got some decent sample sizes to work with.</p>



<p>College hockey is in a whole new era, with former CHL stars now eligible to play in the NCAA. While you won’t find a lot of them represented on this list, two – Porter Martone and Jack Ivankovic – were bright spots on a midpack Brampton Steelheads team last year.</p>



<p>The top of the NCAA standings is dominated by three Michigan-based teams – Michigan State, the University of Michigan, and the defending champions from Western Michigan. Penn State, Boston University and Denver are other teams hovering inside the top 10, while Minnesota Duluth continues to <a href="https://www.ncaa.com/rankings/icehockey-men/d1/uschocom">fly up the rankings.</a></p>



<p>The past few weeks, we’ve looked across the CHL to find some of the best NHL-drafted talent early on. Today, we’re going to do the same with the NCAA, looking at 10 players coming off outstanding Octobers:</p><div class="injected-ad injected-video" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="0" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="159"></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Austin Burnevik, RW, St. Cloud State University (<a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/anaheim-ducks/line-combinations">Anaheim Ducks</a>)</h2>



<p>Burnevik impressed with a 28-point freshman season with St. Cloud a year ago. It even earned him a spot on USA’s World Junior team, albeit in a more defensive role. This year, though, he’s scoring a goal per game and tracking for well north of 40 points as St. Cloud’s top forward. The team doesn’t have a ton of high-end talent, but Burnevik continues to find ways to be productive every single night in just about any situation. Sure, SCS doesn’t face top-quality competition every night, but the 2024 sixth-rounder continues to find ways to stand out every night, no matter what. Oh, and he’s 6-foot-4 and 201 pounds – can’t go wrong with that.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Charlie Cerrato, C, Penn State University (<a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/carolina-hurricanes/line-combinations">Carolina Hurricanes</a>)</h2>



<p>All eyes are on Gavin McKenna at Penn State, but they should also be on Cerrato. The 20-year-old was taken as a triple overager after putting up excellent numbers as a freshman last year. He’s on pace for more than 60 points while challenging for the NCAA’s scoring title. He was known more for his two-way game at a younger age, and he’s still doing special things in the defensive zone, but he’s more dangerous as a passer than most ever expected him to be. Just imagine if he started dominating as a shooter, as well. The Hurricanes love betting on upside, and Cerrato – a second-round pick last year – might be the real deal.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="1" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="231"></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Adam Gajan, G, University of Minnesota-Duluth (<a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/chicago-blackhawks/line-combinations">Chicago Blackhawks</a>)</h2>



<p>Gajan’s stock dropped in a massive way last year, but he’s starting to figure things out as a sophomore. He’s 8-2 with a .917<strong> </strong>save percentage, putting him near the top of every major statistical category. Gajan has always been a project goaltender thanks to his late rise up draft boards, so it was understandable that he struggled last year. UMD, as a whole, wasn’t a great team, either. Now, he’s stealing the odd victory and giving his team a chance to win every single night. They haven’t faced a ton of tough opponents yet, but Gajan looks damn good.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Max Plante, C, University of Minnesota-Duluth (<a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/detroit-red-wings/line-combinations">Detroit Red Wings</a>)</h2>



<p>There’s a handful of notable performances out of UMD this year, but I wanted to highlight Plante in particular – especially since he’s the NCAA’s leading scorer with 19 points. I’ve always been a fan of his game – he’s a smart, skilled two-way forward who makes some of the best passes you’ll find at this level. Drafted 47th overall by Detroit in 2024, Plante had a great rookie season, but has already reached more than half the production he had last year in just 10 games. He’s healthy, thriving, and expected to play a big part on USA’s World Junior team in a few months as he chases his second straight gold.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="2" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="213"></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Michael Hage, C, University of Michigan (<a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/montreal-canadiens/line-combinations">Montreal Canadiens</a>)</h2>



<p>Could Hage be with the big club next year? He’s making a strong case after yet another good start to the season with Michigan. He’s one of the top scorers in the country right now, pacing for around 50 points. He is easily the main reason up front to watch the Wolverines – he’s one of the most consistent producers in the NCAA, period. He shoots a lot, isn’t a slouch physically and can play all situations. There just isn’t much to dislike about his game right now. I expect him to turn pro next year.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Jack Ivankovic, G, University of Michigan (<a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/nashville-predators/line-combinations">Nashville Predators</a>)</h2>



<p>If you’ve followed our prospect coverage over the past few years, you know I’m an Ivankovic fan. He might be small, but he’s an absolute force in the crease. He has a 9-1 record with a .934 save percentage, giving him some of the best stats in the NCAA. His numbers were so-so in Brampton last year, but there’s only so much you can do when your D-corps was as weak as theirs was. Expected to be one of Canada’s goaltenders at the upcoming World Juniors, Ivankovic’s competitive nature, great glove hand, and overall competitiveness make him one of the NCAA’s most exciting young goaltenders.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="3" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="201"></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Porter Martone, RW, Michigan State University (<a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/philadelphia-flyers/line-combinations">Philadelphia Flyers</a>)</h2>



<p>Martone’s transition to the NCAA has been seamless, as expected. He has nine points in six games with MSU, which includes four multi-point efforts. Martone’s mix of size, hockey sense and offensive awareness made him a perfect player for MSU. Sure, his skating still needs work, but he was one of the few 2025 NHL Draft prospects taken in the top 10 who had a decent argument to go straight to the NHL. In the end, some extra seasoning in college won’t hurt – but I doubt he’ll be there next year, given how dominant he has been already.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Will Horcoff, C, University of Michigan (<a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/pittsburgh-penguins/line-combinations">Pittsburgh Penguins</a>)</h2>



<p>Horcoff surprised everyone by his move to Michigan midway through the 2024-25 season, but it paid off when he became a first-round selection. He’s thriving in his first full season with the school, putting himself on pace for more than 50 points thanks to registering 10 goals and 14 points in 10 outings. Horcoff isn’t just a big forward who plays a hard-hitting game, which makes him so dangerous. He seems to be a bit faster this year, too, which allows him to get into more dangerous scoring spots more consistently.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="4" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="190"></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Eric Pohlkamp, RHD, University of Denver (<a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/san-jose-sharks/line-combinations">San Jose Sharks</a>)</h2>



<p>Pohlkamp is a 5-foot-11 defenseman, but he’s built like a tank. He doesn’t do a whole lot physically, but he’s not afraid to battle hard along the boards – and is fully capable of outmuscling players 5-6 inches taller than him. His bread and butter is his puck game – and he’s been averaging more than a point per game all season long. It’s impressive that Pohlkamp is averaging four shots a game despite being a blueliner. But when you play 25 minutes a night – often against a team’s top line – opportunities will continue to appear. Pohlkamp will be part of USA’s Spengler Cup effort this year, which could be a perfect opportunity to showcase his true upside.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Cole Hutson, LHD, Boston University (<a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/washington-capitals/line-combinations">Washington Capitals</a>)</h2>



<p>Hutson might not be blowing up the scoresheet, but his impact is still exceptionally noticeable. He’s been challenging for the BU scoring lead from the get-go, taking on an even bigger role with Tom Willander moving on to the pro scene. Hutson looks a little stronger than he did a year ago, and he’s still skating like his brother out there. The 19-year-old is so confident with the puck –&nbsp;he proved that in the two tough matchups against Michigan State. He is averaging around 27 minutes a night already, which is utterly insane.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="5" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="213"></div>



<p><em>Other notables: Ethan Wyttenbach, LW, Quinnipiac University (Calgary Flames)</em>; <em>Vaclav Nestrasil, RW, UMass (Chicago Blackhawks); Sutter Muzzatti, LW, University of Notre Dame (Nashville Predators); Cole Eiserman, LW, Boston University (New York Islanders); Zam Plante, C, University of Minnesota-Duluth (Pittsburgh Penguins); Jayson Shaugabay, C, University of Minnesota-Duluth (Tampa Bay Lightning)</em></p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity">



<p><strong>SPONSORED BY bet365</strong></p>



<p></p><div class="bam-inline-promotion" data-property-id="309" data-promotion-id="19111" data-context="web-content-promocard"></div><p></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Recent posts from Steven Ellis</h2>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2026-nhl-draft-rankings-preseason-top-40-mckenna-verhoeff-lin-bjorck">2026 NHL Draft Rankings: Preseason top 40</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/top-20-nhl-affiliated-prospects-to-watch-in-the-ncaa-in-2025-26-martone-hagens-hutson-eiserman-hage">Top 20 NHL-affiliated prospects to watch in the NCAA in 2025-26</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2026-nhl-draft-notebook-10-chlers-off-to-huge-starts-reid-villeneuve-hurlbert-shilov">2026 NHL Draft Notebook: 10 CHLers off to huge starts</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/new-york-islanders-matthew-schaefer-living-up-hype-best-18-year-old-defenseman-pace-ever">Islanders’ Matthew Schaefer is living up to star billing – and so much more</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/nhl-prospect-roundup-five-ahlers-shining-bright-early-lardis-murashov-posch-halliday-rosen">NHL Prospect Roundup: Five AHLers shining bright early</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/macklin-celebrini-the-nhls-next-superstar-olympics-san-jose-sharks">Macklin Celebrini is the NHL’s next superstar</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/projecting-every-teams-starting-goalie-for-2026-mens-wnter-olympic-hockey-tournament-hellebuyck-binnington-ullmark">Projecting every team’s starting goalie for 2026 men’s Winter Olympic hockey tournament</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/braidy-wassilyn-2026-nhl-draft-scouting-report-london-knights-niagara-icedogs-prospect">Could trade to London thrust Braidy Wassilyn into first-round 2026 NHL Draft contention?</a></li>
</ul>
