The NCAA men’s hockey season kicked off last week, with many teams commencing play across the country.

It’s still so early, but two schools – the defending champions from the University of Denver, as well as the University of Connecticut – are already off to 2-0 starts. It’ll take a while until we see some clear favorites, but Denver currently leads the coveted USCHO.com rankings, with Boston College, Boston University, Michigan State and the University of Minnesota rounding out the top five.

Lots of people will be focused on the 2025 NHL Draft talent this year – namely BC’s James Hagens, Wisconsin’s Logan Hensler, Michigan State’s Shane Vansaghi, Arizona State’s Cullen Potter and BU’s Sascha Boumedienne. But there are plenty of already-drafted players who look primed for NHL stardom sooner rather than later.

So, here’s a look at 20 names you need to know:

Ryan Leonard, RW, Boston College (Washington Capitals)

Leonard was one of the top scorers in the NCAA this past season, and now he’s ready for more. On a dominant Boston College Eagles team that made it to the national championship game, the 19-year-old scored 31 goals and 60 points, tied for fourth in the NCAA in scoring. He was a few points behind Will Smith, who finished first in the nation with 71 points. Leonard, a USA Hockey National Team Development Program alum, has been a star at almost every international tournament he has played in, and was even part of the senior World Championship team in May. He won’t have Will Smith by his side, but Gabe Perreault will be back and James Hagens is going to be one heck of a middleman.

Gabe Perreault, LW, Boston College (New York Rangers)

After setting scoring records with the USNTDP in 2022-23, the onus was on Perreault to show he was more than just a passenger in college. This past year at Boston College, Perreault was the one making many of the plays happen on a given night and made many scouts believe he’s truly a top-line caliber player at the next level. And, heck, even his skating is better. If the recent World Junior Summer Showcase is anything to go by, he already looks more explosive. Perreault has quickly established himself as one of the highest risers in the draft world over the past two years as he continues to find ways to improve his overall game and make himself so dominant.

Jacob Fowler, G, Boston College (Montreal Canadiens)

Boston College had a fantastic team in 2023-24, but Fowler was one of the primary reasons why they were so dangerous from the get-go. He went 32-6-1 with three shutouts and a .926 save percentage and also had a perfect 3-0 record at the World Juniors en route to gold. Speaking of winning, Fowler was named to the Hockey East all-tournament team this year after winning the regular season title, one year after taking home the USHL title, the league’s top goaltender award and gold at the World Junior A Challenge. It’s hard not to boast an immense amount of confidence when you’re as successful as Fowler at a young age, and he packs that all into a 6-foot-2, mobile frame. Many believe Fowler is a future NHL starting goalie – another good campaign will help.

Zeev Buium, LHD, Univ. of Denver (Minnesota Wild)

Buium became just the second U-19 defenseman to break the 50-point barrier in NCAA history, and it feels like it went under the radar. He won the national championship and the World Juniors in the same year, and while he was a younger player on both squads, he looked like a leader. Buium is a great skater who loves the puck on his stick, and he never seems to get frazzled, no matter the situation. In the NHL, look for Buium to become a high-output puck distributor who can score, hit, block shots and play on both special team units. Buium will be USA’s top defenseman at the World Juniors and could win a second college title. Look for Buium to turn pro after this year.

Oliver Moore, C, Univ. of Minnesota (Chicago Blackhawks)

Moore is one of the fastest skaters in the game today, and the past few years have been about trying to leverage that. A 33-point freshman season got him off to an excellent start, and while many want him to drive the puck to the net more and be the dominant goal-scoring threat he showed he could be at times with the USNTDP. Moore is more than just a quick skater,: he’s one of the hardest-working forwards you’ll find, and he’s extremely versatile. He has a good shot, but he filled more of a playmaker role as a freshman with the Golden Gophers this past season. Let’s see if he can become a Hobey Baker top 10 finalist this year, because he’s got the work ethic to make whatever he wants to happen, happen.

Cole Eiserman, LW, Boston University (New York Islanders)

I’m so excited to see what Eiserman can do. There wasn’t a prospect with a better shot in the 2024 NHL draft, and he’s the all-time leading goal-scorer in USNTDP history. He can put players through walls with his pure violence, and I hope he continues to build upon that. Defensively, Eiserman can be invisible sometimes, but I really liked what I saw from him at the 2024 World Junior Summer Showcase. After starting last year with so much hype, and ultimately falling down the draft board, many think he’ll use that as motivation to prove people wrong. And when it comes to his pure talent with the puck, I wouldn’t want to bet against him once he starts facing college goalies consistently.

Jimmy Snuggerud, RW, Univ. of Minnesota (St. Louis Blues)

Snuggerud was Minnesota’s best player this past season while doing a bit more heavy lifting thanks to the departures of Matthew Knies and Logan Cooley. Snuggerud also has gained success on the international stage, helping the U.S. take home bronze at the IIHF World Junior Championship in 2023, before helping the Americans win gold in Sweden this past January. Minnesota should remain competitive this year, and I think Snuggerud will have a chance to establish himself as one of the best players in the country. But after that, there’s no excuse for Snuggerud to not turn pro. I think he’s not far from being ready to step in and make an impact with the Blues.

Trevor Connelly, LW, Providence College (Vegas Golden Knights)

Connelly will give Providence some much-needed scoring this year. He almost cracked 80 points last year, making him one of the most productive wingers in the draft class. Connelly also had numerous impressive showings with USA internationally, although his season ended on a down note after taking a penalty that led to Canada coming back in the U-18 World Championship gold medal game. But before that, Connelly looked fantastic. Defensively, Connelly needs work, but I do appreciate how well he controls the game with the puck on his stick. This year, there will be an emphasis on his play away from the disk, but look for him to be a point-per-game player this year.

Trey Augustine, G, Michigan State (Detroit Red Wings)

After posting a near-perfect record in 2022-23, Augustine secured gold at the 2024 World Juniors and won the Big Ten championship while earning tournament MVP honors. Add in a few really good appearances at the World Championship and Augustine is truly on the top of his game. He isn’t huge at just 6-foot-1, but he has a winning pedigree, a great glove hand and an outstanding foundation to build on. Augustine is one of the best goaltending prospects based on just pure skill right now and was a big reason why Michigan State was a threat every time they hit the ice.

Michael Hage, C, Univ. of Michigan (Montreal Canadiens)

The Canadiens traded up to get Hage at the 2024 NHL Draft, and it’s easy to understand why. Hage had a huge first full season with the Chicago Steel, scoring 33 goals and 75 points in 54 games. It’s exactly what we expected from him after his great U-16 season with the Toronto Jr. Canadiens, and it helped him solidify his status as a first-round pick. Hage was one of the USHL’s best pure forwards with a combination of size, great skating, and tremendous puckhandling. Next up? A leading role at Michigan, and he’s already off to an incredible start with four points in his first two games against Minnesota State University. Hage is going to end up being one of the best value picks from this past draft – mark my words.

Matthew Wood, RW, Univ. of Minnesota (Nashville Predators)

After two years with the University of Connecticut – which included a points decrease in 2023-24 – Wood is hoping to hit it big with the University of Minnesota. Wood has an excellent shot, and when he’s feeling it, he can dominate any given shift. But his poor skating gives some scouts pause – will that hinder him in the pro ranks? So far, it’s been fine, especially after playing at just under a point per game as a true 17-year-old freshman in 2022-23. The pro game is a totally different story, but a big junior season could go a long way in instilling more confidence. Many, including myself, believe Wood will be a decent NHLer one day.

Tom Willander, RHD, Boston University (Vancouver Canucks)

Willander took the unusual route for a Swede by going to the NCAA last year and it paid off massively. He established himself as one of the best young defensemen in college, earning a spot on the Hockey East second all-star team. He also played a leading role on Sweden’s silver medal effort at the WJC and will be even more prominent as the team looks to stand on the top step of the podium in a few months. The speedy, two-way blueliner has all the makings of an impact top-four option for the Canucks in the long run and BU will be in good shape with him taking on an even more impactful role this year.

E.J. Emery, RHD, North Dakota (New York Rangers)

Emery is so much fun to watch. He’s big, shoots right and is so strong defensively – sound good? Emery skates well for a 6-foot-3 defender and does a tremendous job of cutting off angles, even on the bigger ice in international tournaments. There wasn’t a better option in the 2024 NHL Draft in terms of pure defensive play. The North Dakota commit isn’t too active on the scoresheet, but you can pair him with someone who is and he’ll be the rock that keeps things calm.

Dean Letourneau, C, Boston College (Boston Bruins)

When the 6-foot-7 center hits the ice, you notice. Letourneau can hit, makes plays, snipe shots, win faceoffs and beat players with his speed, helping him draw comparisons to Tage Thompson. Letourneau decimated the Canadian prep hockey ranks with 61 goals and 127 points in 56 games with St. Andrew’s College, making him a rare player to go in the first round out of the Prep Hockey Conference. There are still some questions as to what type of player he’ll become because very few NHLers have his skillset, but he should be able to manage the college game well with his physicality and maturity.

Sacha Boisvert, C, Univ. of North Dakota (Chicago Blackhawks)

The Hawks traded up to get Boisvert, someone they must really believe in. He has size, plays with power, has an outstanding shot release and was one of the better two-way threats in the 2024 draft class. It’s impressive that he managed to put up 36 goals and 68 points in 61 games with Muskegon while still being the team’s best two-way forward. Boisvert has good skill and competitiveness and reads plays as well as anyone his age. The Trois-Rivieres, Quebec native will be a big piece of North Dakota this year as they look to be a serious contender.

Sam Rinzel, RHD, Univ. of Minnesota (Chicago Blackhawks)

NHL teams like defensemen with size – they like them even more when they know what to do with the puck. And that’s exactly the case for Rinzel, who put up 28 points in 39 games as a freshman at the University of Minnesota. He’s not much of a shooter, with just two goals throughout the season, but he’s a great puck distributor and plays well in transition. And I, and many, think Rinzel still has even more big-game potential than he has shown as of now. Rinzel does a great job of taking time and space away while displaying some solid mobility. I have some issues with some decision-making, both with and without the puck, in high-pace games, but I think the progress he showed this year is that he should have no issues stepping into the NHL once he’s done with school.

Adam Gajan, G, Minnesota-Duluth (Chicago Blackhawks)

The biggest question surrounding Gajan last year was whether he could live up to the hype of being a second-round pick out of seemingly nowhere. He served as the Green Bay Gamblers’ starter, and while he posted a 23-12-4 record, his surface stats suffered. But another good showing at the World Juniors and the ability to steal wins on a seemingly consistent basis helped keep the hype around him alive. He’s one of the more athletic goaltenders you’ll find in the game, and he reads plays exceptionally well. I think Gajan will excel in the NCAA, where he’ll have a chance to keep getting reps and, hopefully, play behind some better defensemen.

Hampton Slukynsky, G, Western Michigan (Los Angeles Kings)

Slukynsky is smaller at 6-foot-1 but he’s an incredible battler and was named USHL goaltender of the year after leading the league with a .923 save percentage. Slukynsky was also a big part of Fargo’s championship run and won bronze with USA at the World Junior A Challenge, so he’s already had to play in some significant games early in his career. It looks like Slukynsky will be Trey Augstine’s backup at the World Juniors in December, but there’s an argument to be made that he would have been good enough to be the No. 1 in many other years. His lack of size won’t help him, but I think he has a chance to be a workhorse for Western Michigan while showing his trademark quickness and ability to read shooters in 1-on-1 scenarios.

Danny Nelson, C, Notre Dame (New York Islanders)

Nelson will never win awards for being the most creative or flashy forward, but he does whatever he’s asked to do and does it well. Nelson posted nine goals and 23 points in 30 games as a freshman at Notre Dame last year after showcasing himself as one of the USNTDP’s top two-way players the previous season. The 6-foot-3 forward powers through players with ease while driving plays. He works so hard with a multitude of tools, playing well in all three zones. Nelson projects to be more of a bottom-six player, but he does an excellent job of making himself difficult to play against – which, of course, makes him valuable in that specific role. At Notre Dame, I hope to see him do even more with the puck.

Jack Devine, RW, Univ. of Denver (Florida Panthers)

Now a two-time NCAA national champion with Denver, Devine erupted with 27 goals and 56 points in 44 games last year. The quick, energetic forward looked more dynamic than ever this year, while also adding a bit more physicality to his game. Despite the uptick in offense, I think the 21-year-old is more destined to be a bottom-six player who can step up on the power play if needed. And that’s fine – he was a seventh-round pick after all. Denver is looking to go back-to-back, and Devine will be a big part of that if it happens. Devine can potentially be one of the biggest steals in recent NHL Draft history, and the Panthers could look smart if so.

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