Top NCAA College Hockey Players to Watch Down the Stretch: Big Ten Stars & NHL Prospects

We are just over a month away from conference-tournament action, so most teams have fewer than 10 regular-season games left to play. There's still significant movement in the standings, especially with multiple Hockey East teams making their pushes for at-large bids. We often see stars shine in March and April, so let's take a look at a few players I'm getting excited about watching down the stretch.

Check out all our Fantasy Hockey Prospects analysis, breaking down both NHL-drafted players and draft-eligible options from NCAA, juniors and international competitions. 

Big Ten Breakout Players Powering Push for At Large Bids

Porter Martone, F, Michigan State

Martone keeps humming through the Big Ten gauntlet with four goals – three at even strength – and 11 assists through the past eight games. The 6-foot-3 winger plays a gritty style that makes him appealing to NHL clubs. He could fit into a third-line role with power-play duties right away if he signs when the Spartans' season ends, but his offensive skills could command a top-six role as soon as next season.

Charlie Stramel, F, Michigan State

Stramel's game looked lost two years ago at Wisconsin, but he has benefited from the change of scenery in Lansing. It doesn't hurt to have Martone on his wing, either. The 2023 first-round pick leads the Spartans with 16 goals and 35 points through 26 games, and he has demonstrated a strong defensive output, too. While Stramel may not be a mainstay in the NHL immediately – look at Hobey Baker winner Isaac Howard for proof of how difficult it is to make the leap – his size could help him secure a third-line role right away next year. 

Trey Augustine, G, Michigan State

Michigan State is loaded from top to bottom, but perhaps there's no one more valuable than Augustine. The 2023 second-round pick has produced a .934 save percentage – third in the nation – and a 1.87 GAA while playing 24 of 25 games for the Spartans. He is clearly the Red Wings' future in net.

Gavin McKenna, F, Penn State

McKenna earned some negative press for not lighting college hockey on fire during the first half with 18 points through 16 games. However, he has flipped a switch since returning from World Juniors with seven goals and seven assists through eight Big Ten games, including three performances with three-plus points. McKenna is playing massive minutes, too, handling at least 21:56 in seven of those games – he received a game misconduct in the other. We're seeing the elite traits that were advertised, and he's looking like the kind of player who can take over in the NCAA tournament.

Jackson Smith, D, Penn State

Often overshadowed by the stardom of McKenna, Smith has been excellent in his own right this year. The 2025 first-round pick has produced eight goals and 17 points through 24 games as a freshman while taking on 21:08 of ice time per game.  He's sturdy defensively and hasn't been shy about being aggressive in the offensive zone, demonstrating a deceptive release on his shot. 

Michael Hage, F, Michigan

Hage has 35 points through 26 games, surpassing last year's total (34 points through 33 games). He's an outstanding playmaker who has work to do defensively, but he has played well in big games this season. With the Wolverines looking like a lock for the NCAA tournament, it'll be interesting to see how he rises to the occasion. 

Will Horcoff, F, Michigan

Horcoff leads the Big Ten with 20 goals through 26 games, but he's in a bit of a rough patch with just two goals and four assists over the last eight games – all against Big Ten opponents. The sophomore scored against tougher competition in the first half, but for a player whose shot is his defining feature, we'd like to see him pick up the pace down the stretch. 

Jack Ivankovic, G, Michigan

Ivankovic has put to bed any worries about his small stature by posting a .927 save percentage and a 1.92 GAA through 22 games as an 18-year-old freshman. The 2025 second-round pick is facing an extended absence due to a lower-body injury, but there's a chance he returns for the postseason. His return is crucial to the Wolverines' chances of making a run. 

Brodie Ziemer, F, Minnesota

Ziemer has piled up 10 goals and three assists through 10 conference games since the start of December, and he's averaging around 19 minutes per night. Overall, the 2024 third-round pick is tied for fifth in the country with 18 goals. Minnesota is on the upswing, and if they somehow manage to sneak into the NCAA tournament, Ziemer will be a key factor. 

Quinn Finley, F, Wisconsin

The Badgers needed Finley to take his game to another level – or at the very least maintain last year's production of 20 goals and 20 assists through 37 games – but he hasn't followed through to this point. The 2022 third-round pick has scored 10 goals and added nine assists. He often looks like the most-skilled player in the lineup with good speed and a wicked wrist shot. However, he has struggled to find soft areas on the ice to unleash his shot, and his defensive game has shown some holes, too. Finley looks destined for the AHL if he signs with the Islanders following this season. 

Luke Osburn, D, Wisconsin

First-round pick Logan Hensler (lower body) is facing an extended absence, leaving the Badgers with just six healthy defensemen. Osburn has already been taking on a heavy workload with at least 21 minutes of ice time in five of the last six games, including three straight games with more than 23:53 of play. It'll be interesting to see how he responds after registering 15 points through the first 20 contests. 

Hockey East Key Scorers and Goaltenders Impacting Tournament Hopes

Cole Hutson, F, Boston University

Hutson suffered a bad injury at World Juniors, and it's unclear if he's still dealing with some of the effects, but his recent rut is noticeable, as he has just four points over the past eight games. The 2024 second-round pick continues to handle massive minutes, averaging 25:56 over the course of the season, and he has averaged a whopping 4.4 shots on net per game. His resume is still outstanding even with his slump, but we need to see him get back to his former self for the Terriers to have a chance at the tournament. 

Cole Eiserman, F, Boston University

Eiserman carried high expectations into the season after producing 25 goals through 39 games as a freshman, but he simply hasn't been able to live up to them after the Terriers graduated Quinn Hutson, Ryan Green and Shane LaChance. Through 22 games, Eiserman has accumulated just 10 goals and six assists. We needed to see him drive the offense, but he has struggled in that capacity. The 2024 first-round pick is on track to stay in college for another year at this point. 

James Hagens, F, Boston College

Hagens had an unremarkable World Juniors, but he has picked up the pace recently with four goals and six assists over the past five games, putting Boston College at No. 12 in the NPI rankings. He looks more comfortable as the team's No. 1 center, and his continued success will be key for the Eagles to hold onto their tournament spot. 

Justin Poirier, F, Maine

Poirier is leading the Black Bears in goals (18) and points (29) through 26 games despite playing just 16:28 per game. The freshman is a gifted scorer who has dominated on the power play, but we still need to see him take on a larger role as a two-way player before he can make the NHL leap. 

Michael Hrabal, G, UMass

Hrabal's recent dominance has vaulted UMass back into tournament contention, as they sit at No. 18 following his seven-game win streak, which featured three shutouts and just nine goals against. The 2023 second-round pick posted a .924 save percentage last season, and he has maintained a .925 mark this season. The 6-foot-7 netminder could pen a pro deal with the Mammoth following this season. 

Roger McQueen, F, Providence

The Friars have won seven straight games, and McQueen has played a major role with two goals and seven points in that stretch. The 6-foot-6 forward is still handling sheltered minutes, rarely playing more than 17 minutes per game. He needs more minutes to prove his two-way talents, but we're seeing plenty of flashes to stay excited about the 2025 first-round pick. 

Tynan Lawrence, F, Boston University

Lawrence left his USHL club to join the Terriers in hopes of raising his draft stock, as he was considered a possible No. 1 pick. His time in Boston has been uneventful so far, as he has just one goal and a minus-5 rating through nine games while averaging 17:46 of ice time, often on the top line. The potential is evident – he's a smooth skater with great playmaking instincts – but he needs to start scoring immediately to have a chance at the top spot. 

NCHC Rising Stars with NHL Potential and Offensive Talent

Cullen Potter, F, Arizona State

Potter's sophomore season ended early after sustaining a left shoulder injury Jan. 10. The 2025 first-round pick accrued 12 goals – just one shy of his freshman total – and 26 points through 24 games. The Flames don't need him right away, and he looked destined to return for his junior season regardless of the injury. 

Eric Pohlkamp, D, Denver

Tom Preissing was the last NCAA defenseman to score 20 goals in a season back in 2002-03 with Colorado College. Pohlkamp could be the next, as he leads the Pioneers in both goals (16) and points (28) from the blue line with six regular-season games to play. The 5-foot-11 junior has a booming shot that has led to at least 10 goals in each of his collegiate seasons, and he remains dependable on the back end. Defensemen of his size still have a fine line to walk in the NHL, but Pohlkamp looks like a promising sleeper pick at this time. 

Ilia Morozov, F, Miami (OH)

Morozov won't turn 18 years old until August, but he has taken on major responsibilities with the Redhawks, averaging 19:29 of ice time while producing 14 points through 26 games. The 6-foot-3 forward has accomplished this despite a brutal nine-game scoring slump, where he has fired 19 shots on net. His size and physicality, combined with his puck skills, could make him a first-round pick this summer. 

Max Plante, F, Minnesota-Duluth

Plante ranks second in the country with 40 points and third with 20 goals. He's remarkably creative with the puck, seamlessly making plays and demonstrating a high-end shot in the process. The 2024 second-round pick is undersized at 5-foot-10, but his high motor and solid speed help put away those worries. Plante looks like he has a future as a top-six forward with the Red Wings, so the only question remaining is whether he leaves after this season or next. 

Adam Gajan, G, Minnesota-Duluth

Gajan has been solid in the crease for the Bulldogs this season with a .905 save percentage and a 2.29 GAA, and it was enough to earn a spot on Slovakia's Olympic Team in Milan. The obvious must be pointed out: Slovakia's goaltending options lacked high-end talent, as he'll be joined by Samuel Hlavaj (AHL) and Stanislav Skorvanek (Czech League). Gajan had a strong record at World Juniors with Slovakia, however, and it'll be interesting to see if he can earn a start or more in the tournament. 

Cole Reschny, F, North Dakota

The Flames' prospect pool is loaded with talent, and Reschny is perhaps the most promising. The 2025 first-round pick has piled up 25 points through 22 games, including 10 points over the past eight NCHC games. Reschny has been excellent at the faceoff dot, and his two-way skills will be worth tracking as the Fighting Hawks make their tournament run. 

Keaton Verhoeff, D, North Dakota

Verhoeff is still in the No. 1 pick conversation despite McKenna's apparent separation. He won't turn 18 years old until June, but the 6-foot-4, 215-pound blueliner has averaged 19:15 of ice time while adding 17 points through 22 games. There have been a few defensive lapses, and we'd still like him to take over more offensively, but the skating and shooting skills have him on a top-pairing trajectory in the NHL, nonetheless. 

Hampton Slukynsky, G, Western Michigan

Slukynsky won a National Championship as a freshman, and he continues to be consistent in net for the Broncos, registering a .910 save percentage and a 19-7-0 record through 26 games while winning 10 of the last 11 outings against tough competition. The 2024 fourth-round pick looks like a strong value at this point. 

CCHA Undrafted and Freshman Standouts Defining Unexpected Performers

Josh Kotai, G, Augustana

We don't typically feature undrafted players in this article, but it's difficult to ignore Kotai's success this year. It's unlikely that NHL teams haven't noticed, either. The 22-year-old junior has accrued a .935 save percentage through 26 games, and with a 6-foot-2 frame, he won't face the same obstacles as star goalies like Minnesota State's Alex Tracy or Denver's Matthew Davis (last year). Of course, he's unlikely to jump immediately into the NHL, but he'll certainly have pro offers following this season. Keep him on your radar. 

Lucas Van Vliet, F, St. Thomas

Van Vliet was a solid two-way player at the US NTDP, but there were always questions surrounding his offensive upside. He has quickly put those worries to bed with 31 points through 27 games as a freshman at St. Thomas, ranking third on the team. The 2024 seventh-round pick probably has two more years of college before he makes the leap, but he could turn into a dependable role player with the Golden Knights.

ECAC Goal Scorers and Prospects Making Rookie Impact

Ethan Wyttenbach, F, Quinnipiac

It's starting to look like the Flames hit on another late-round, undersized forward. Much like the late great Johnny Gaudreau, Wyttenbach has taken college hockey by storm as a freshman, leading the NCAA with 15 goals and 41 points through 28 games. When we wrote about him back in October, he was averaging just 14:49 of ice per night, but we have watched him take on a top-six role recently, often playing more than 19 minutes in a game. His production has risen with his ice time, generating six goals and 10 assists over 10 games in January. Gaudreau spent three years in college, and with the Flames in a rebuild, Wyttenbach will likely benefit from at least another year of development before he makes the jump. But players who produce at this level have legit star potential in the NHL. 

Hayden Stavroff, F, Dartmouth

Dartmouth's current No. 10 ranking in the NPI is due in large part to Stavroff's massive improvement in his sophomore season, as he leads the NCAA with 22 goals and has added 10 assists through 23 games. The 21-year-old has scored on 28.4 percent of his shots, which certainly isn't sustainable in the long run and definitely not in the pros, but the undrafted forward could be on NHL radars to sign following this season. He likely will need AHL time, though.