Top 10 NHL prospects that have stood out as NCAA freshmen

Credit: Take Your Shot Photography

And then there were 16. We’re nearing one of the best parts of the hockey calendar – the NCAA’s men’s Frozen Four.

But first, we’ve got to settle the four regionals next weekend in Springfield, Sioux Falls, Providence, and Maryland Heights. The winner of all four will play in the 2024 national championship series in Saint Paul, Minnesota, taking place April 11 and April 13 at the Xcel Energy Center.

There’s going to be some excellent NHL-drafted prospects on display, including Cutter Gauthier (Anaheim Ducks), Jackson Blake (Carolina Hurricanes), Jack Devine (Florida Panthers), Rutger McGroarty (Winnipeg Jets) and Gavin Brindley (Columbus Blue Jackets).

But today, we’re taking a look at the first-year stars – the drafted rookies that stood out above the rest this year. Here’s a look at 10 NHL prospects that took the NCAA by storm as freshmen in 2023-24:

Will Smith, C, Boston College (San Jose Sharks)

Few prospects, no matter the league, have been as good as Smith this year. Taken fourth overall in 2023, Smith leads all U-19 players with 44 assists and 67 points in 37 games while rocking a 1.81 points per game average. While Gabe Perreault and Ryan Leonard have been outstanding at BC< Smith’s been the brains of the top line in college hockey – just like he was for two years at the USA Hockey National Team Development Program. I do not doubt that he could produce in the NHL next year.

Ryan Leonard, LW, Boston College (Washington Capitals)

Leonard was the last of BC’s top line to break the 50-point barrier, but he leads them all with 27 goals in 37 games. He can do a bit of everything, but at the heart of it, he’s a finisher on one of the top lines in the country. Leonard is also a menace, physically, which makes him one of the more fun freshmen to watch. He won’t need much time in college before heading to the Capitals – he just looks like a pro player out there. Whether that’s next year or two down the line, Leonard is a fun prospect who has a great future ahead of him.

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

After setting a USNTDP-team record with 132 points in 63 games last year, Perreault kept the fun rolling with 18 goals and 57 points in 32 games. Named to the Hockey East second all-star team, Perreault’s skating improved as the season wore on to help continue rounding out his game. Rangers fans know what they’ve got here – a dangerous dual-threat winger who can score and pass with tremendous skill. There’s no need for the Rangers to rush him, but he’ll be part of the team’s top six in no time.

Jacob Fowler, G, Boston College (Montreal Canadiens)

Drafted 69th overall by the Canadiens last year, Fowler’s freshman campaign was extra nice. He went 29-5-1 with two shutouts and a .925 save percentage en route to a Hockey East title, highlighted by an incredible diving save Saturday against BU. He wasn’t always busy this season, with the Eagles frequently putting a beating on the rest of the college ranks, but when they needed Fowler to step up, he did. The busier he was, the better he was – his 43-save performance in a 5-1 win over Michigan State on Oct. 27 was one of the best goaltending performances I saw from anyone this season.

Bradly Nadeau, RW, University of Maine (Carolina Hurricanes)

After an incredible draft season with the Penticton Vees, Nadeau kept the fun rolling with 19 goals and 46 points in 36 games with Maine. He was one of the NCAA’s top freshmen from the get-go, showing that he didn’t put up 113 points last year by accident. Drafted 30th overall by the Carolina Hurricanes, Nadeau earned a nomination for the Hobey Baker as one of the top players in college and was named to the Hockey East second all-star team. He’s a great shooter that loves to handle the puck and I fully expect him to be a top-six NHLer one day.

Oliver Moore, C, University of Minnesota (Chicago Blackhawks)

It was an excellent season as expected for Moore, who helped fill a bit of the vacancy left by Logan Cooley. Moore had nine goals and 33 points in 37 games, serving as one of the more dangerous playdrivers in the Big 10. Moore is one of the fastest prospects in the game today, using his speed to generate offense and elude defenders. He can score, too, although that took more of a backseat to his heads-up passing. Moore is one of Chicago’s top prospects, and it won’t be long until he factors into the team’s resurgence.

Tom Willander, D, Boston University (Vancouver Canucks)

Willander missed the start of the season due to the NCAA’s rules about playing pro hockey – he played two games with Rogle in the SHL last year. But when he got up to speed, Willander looked excellent. He had 22 points in 35 games, including five multi-point efforts. He can put points on the board, for sure, but he’s most valuable as a skater with good defensive-zone awareness. He’s just strong defensively while playing with loads of confidence. The Canucks have something here.

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

One of the best goaltending prospects in the game today, Augustine has a 22-8-2 record with three shutouts in 33 games this year heading into crunch time. After losing just two out of his 46 starts at all levels last year, this was a different experience for the Red Wings goalie prospect. It’s so difficult for a freshman to be so important for a college contender, but Augustine was rock solid, showing he has a great head on his shoulders. Augustine also had a perfect record en route to gold at the World Junior Championship, his second year as starter. With Sebastian Cossa already making noise in the AHL, the Wings don’t need to rush Augustine – but having both coming up at the same time is exciting.

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

Nelson’s stats might look weak compared to the rest of the crop here – nine goals and 23 points in 30 games – but he has a bright NHL future ahead of him. 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.

Paul Fischer, D, University of Notre Dame (St. Louis Blues)

Nobody will mistake Fischer for being an offensive juggernaut if he ever makes the NHL. But with 16 points in 34 games with the University of Notre Dame while playing around 18 minutes a night is an impressive feat on its own. Drafted 138th overall last year by St. Louis, Fischer’s lack of offense was noticeable with the USNTDP last year with just 21 points in 56 games. That didn’t help his draft stock, but he’s a stout presence in his own zone, giving opponents little room to make moves. This year was better than I was expecting.

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