Top 10 NHL prospects to watch during the 2026 NCAA men’s hockey tournament

Mar 25, 2026, 11:00 EDTUpdated: Mar 24, 2026, 14:57 EDT

Top 10 NHL prospects to watch during the 2026 NCAA men’s hockey tournament

Credit: Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The 2026 NCAA men’s national hockey tournament kicks off on Thursday, featuring 16 teams battling in four pre-determined regional sites to help determine the field for the Frozen Four in Las Vegas next month.

The regional tournament stage is a total blast. It’s the opportunity for smaller programs such as Dartmouth, Bentley, or Merrimack to take on giants such as the University of Michigan, Michigan State, and North Dakota. The format is simple: four teams in each of the four regionals, with single-game elimination. Lose any game the rest of the way, and you’re done.

Tyler Kuehl posted a full tournament preview earlier today on Daily Faceoff, and it’s an excellent read. But in this piece, we’re focusing on some of the top prospects you need to know. Some of them will be with their respective NHL teams in the coming days, while others will prep for the biggest title in college hockey.

Here’s a look at 10 NHL-affiliated players worth catching up on:

Ethan Wyttenbach, LW, 19, Quinnipiac University (Calgary Flames)

You’ve probably heard a lot about Wyttenbach in recent months, and for good reason. The 2025 fifth-round pick currently leads the NCAA with 58 points, which is utterly incredible for a 19-year-old selected in the fifth round a year prior. The Roslyn, N.Y., native is an undersized forward but someone who is always moving and carving his way through the ice to get into scoring situations. He has never been a high-end producer at any level – he was more productive as a freshman NCAA forward than he has been anywhere else. One knock against him is that Quinnipiac has often beaten up on weaker programs – the competition is about to get spicy this week, so there’s no room to hide anymore. Regardless, he was the most dangerous player in college hockey and appears to be the frontrunner for the Hobey Baker Award.

Jackson Smith, LHD, 18, Penn State University (Columbus Blue Jackets)

The start of Smith’s college career was definitely a learning experience. But the former Tri-City Americans star is up to 11 goals and 26 points in 34 games while routinely playing more than 25 minutes a night. Defensively, it feels like Smith truly understands how to defend at the college level, and he has saved some of his best hockey for some of Penn State’s tightest games (that two-goal game against Michigan in Feb. was incredible). Smith is a great skater at 6-foot-4 and loves having the puck on his stick. If PSU is going to go far, Smith is will need to be excellent.

Trey Augustine, G, 21, Michigan State University (Detroit Red Wings)

Augustine is one of the best goaltending prospects on the planet, and he’s in the midst of his best statistical season to date. He has always played on strong teams, dating back to his two-year stint with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program. But time and time again, Augustine has proven he’s an incredible athletic goaltender. Ohio State, in particular, has had his number in recent weeks, but Augustine has been downright dominant for the most part beyond that. Many expect Augustine to turn pro after the season concludes – he’s ready for the AHL. But before that, he’s hoping to finish his college career with the one major honor he’s missing – a national championship.

Max Plante, C, 20, University of Minnesota Duluth (Detroit Red Wings)

Plante had a strong freshman season a year ago. Now, he’s a deserving Hobey Baker finalist. The NCHC’s forward and player of the year rarely found himself off the scoresheet this season. He has 24 goals and 49 points through 38 games, playing more than 22 minutes a night consistently. He loves to shoot, but he’s also one of the best passers in college hockey. It’s nice that he’s getting more volume toward the crease these days, too. I love his hockey sense, and I really believe in his potential as a second-line forward who can work well with just about anyone.

Charlie Stramel, C, 21, Michigan State (Minnesota Wild)

This will be Stramel’s last kick at the can. So it’s a good thing that he has played his best hockey this season. He had 47 points over his first three seasons combined before exploding for 19 goals and 44 points this year. The 6-foot-3 forward plays a powerful game, overwhelming opponents with both a big shot and his massive frame. Stramel is extremely difficult to contain on the rush, even if he’s not the fastest skater you’ll find. He’s likely a middle-six player in the NHL, and the Wild would probably like to have him available for their playoff push. For now, Michigan State has unfinished business.

Emmett Croteau, G, 22, Dartmouth College (Montreal Canadiens)

A sixth-round pick in 2022, Croteau has established himself as one of the NCAA’s most exciting goaltending prospects. He was good in his first two college seasons, but he really came on the scene this year with a .924 save percentage and a 15-4-4 record with Dartmouth. Croteau is the only NHL-affiliated prospect at Dartmouth, too. Croteau’s name was linked to trade rumors back in March, with the potential for the 22-year-old to turn pro once his season ends. At 6-foot-4 with solid athleticism, it’s easy to understand why teams would be interested. We’ll see what happens, but as the Big Green look to make it to the Frozen Four for the first time since 1980, they’ll need Croteau to be perfect.

Michael Hage, C, 19, University of Michigan (Montreal Canadiens)

Hage is one of the top prospects in hockey, and it won’t be long until he’s gunning for the No. 2 center spot in Montreal. The 19-year-old was absolutely incredible at the World Juniors, finishing with 13 assists and 15 points in seven games en route to a bronze with Canada. It wasn’t surprising, given how dominant he was in Michigan this year. He enters the Tournament with 13 goals and 51 points, putting him firmly in the top five in NCAA scoring.

Jack Ivankovic, G, 18, University of Michigan (Nashville Predators)

Ivankovic is one of the premier 2007-born goaltenders, proving he can perform well above his smaller 5-foot-11 frame. Ivankovic has a ton of hardware in his collection already, highlighted by gold at the U-17 World Challenge, Hlinka Gretzky Cup and the U-18 World Championship (twice). The athletically gifted keeper has been a big reason for Michigan’s success this year, saving some of his best hockey for games in which he has faced more than 30 shots. Ivankovic is as calm as it gets. He doesn’t let a bad goal bother him, and he plays better if he gets a bunch of shots early to settle him in. Ivankovic doesn’t get to rely on size, but he’s got some incredible reflexes and a dominant glove hand. Side-to-side, few goalies can get where they need to be as quickly as Ivankovic.

Porter Martone, RW, 19, Michigan State (Philadelphia Flyers)

Martone was one of the NCAA’s most productive forwards with 24 goals and 47 points in 33 games. It was no surprise, given how offensively dominant he was the previous two years in the OHL with the Brampton Steelheads. He’s a dual-threat as a shooter and a playmaker, and he likes to play with power. Martone has already shown he’s an NHL-caliber player with MSU – he thinks and activates at a high rate. He still lacks the overall explosiveness to take his game up another notch, but his skating is more fluid and he is quicker than it was a year ago. It won’t be long until he’s an impact top-six forward in Philly.

Eric Pohlkamp, RHD, 22, University of Denver (San Jose Sharks)

The Sharks took a chance on Pohlkamp in the fifth round in 2023, and he has easily become one of the most intriguing college defenders. He played his freshman year at Bemidji State before producing more than 70 points over two years at the University of Denver. He eats well north of 20 minutes a night, and he loves to shoot (he has 22 shots over his past three games… as a defenseman). Pohlkamp is as close to a play-driver as you’ll find on any NCAA blueline, often involving himself as a fourth forward. He has also continued to bulk up since his draft year, despite being just 5-foot-11. San Jose has a good one here.

Other notables: Jonathan Castagna, C, 20, Cornell University (Calgary Flames); Aiden Fink, RW, 21, Penn State University (Nashville Predators); Will Horcoff, C, 18, University of Michigan (Pittsburgh Penguins); Zam Plante, C, 21, University of Minnesota-Duluth (Pittsburgh Penguins); Jayson Shaugabay, C, 20, University of Minnesota-Duluth (Tampa Bay Lightning)

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