Top 10 NHL prospects to watch at the 2025 NCAA men’s hockey tournament

Mar 25, 2025, 15:00 UTC

Top 10 NHL prospects to watch at the 2025 NCAA men’s hockey tournament

Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images

The 2025 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 St. Louis next month.

Boston College, Michigan State, the University of Maine, and Western Michigan are the top four seeds in the tourney and will play in different cities. Tyler Kuehl posted a full tournament preview earlier today on Daily Faceoff, so make sure to read that.

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 players you need to know:

Jacob Fowler, G, Boston College (Montreal Canadiens)

It was a bit surprising not to see Fowler’s name on the Hobey Baker top 10 finalists lists. He is one of just three NCAA goaltenders boasting a save percentage above .940, and he has played some of his best hockey against other high-end programs. Fowler is listed as 6-foot-2, but he covers the net so effectively. He’s positionally solid, mentally strong and rarely gives up a bad goal. Year after year, no matter the level or event, Fowler finds ways to come out on top. Boston College will have the edge in the Manchester regional, but getting to the final could require him to take down the defending NCAA champions from Denver. The Canadiens have a good one here – and this will be Fowler’s chance to prove that on the big stage.

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

Perreault has been one of the most consistent players in the NCAA over the past two years, registering 107 points in 71 games. While this year hasn’t been as explosive compared to his 60-point freshman season, Perreault has been better away from the puck. We’ve seen a lot of positive development over the past two years, so much so that there’s a real belief that he can be an impact NHLer right out of the gate next season. But Perreault is going to want to take another step forward after losing out on the national title this year – he has points in 11 of his last 12 games, so he’s riding a high right now.

Ryan Leonard, RW, Boston College (Washington Capitals)

DFO’s Frank Seravalli has called Leonard the Capitals’ biggest trade deadline piece – as in, they didn’t need to bring in any help because it’s coming. But first, Leonard is looking to cap off his stellar college career with his first championship. Boston couldn’t get the offense it needed to go the distance last year, but Leonard has shown the ability to dominate in big games. He was instrumental in USA’ consecutive gold medals at the World Juniors in 2024 and 2025 and even took home tournament MVP honors in January. Now, with a chance to win the Hobey Baker, it’s time for Leonard to finish his college career off with a championship before inserting himself into Washington’s top six for the playoffs.

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

Fresh off becoming the most successful American goaltender in World Junior Championship history, Augustine has continued his trek to becoming the top goaltender in the NCAA this year. He registered a seven-game winning streak from mid-October until the end of November to help push MSU near the top of the standings. He hasn’t lost consecutive games at any point this year, and while having a good team helps, he routinely is forced to make 30-plus saves against quality opponents. Augustine has won titles at just about every level so far in his career – the one thing missing is a national college title with MSU.

Isaac Howard, LW, Michigan State Univ. (Tampa Bay Lightning)

After an underwhelming freshman season at the University of Minnesota-Duluth in 2022-23, Howard made the move to Michigan State University for the following year – and it has looked like a genius decision. Playing under former USA Hockey National Team Development Program coach Adam Nightingale, Howard had a point per game through 36 games last year as he helped get himself firmly back on track (he won gold with USA at the World Juniors for good measure). This year, though, has been a true breakthrough season for Howard, who needed just 24 games to tie his output from last year while leading the entire NCAA in scoring. The sharpshooter looks as confident as ever with the puck, and he’s physically stronger, too.

Aiden Fink, RW, Penn State Univ. (Nashville Predators)

Fink might not play on a powerhouse college team, but Fink was one of the top players in the country this year. He’s been so good, in fact, that he sits at 86 points in 71 games over two years – that’s good for seventh among all players. A finalist for the Hobey Baker award, Fink has 15 multi-point games to his credit this year while also being a dangerous power-play producer. The Preds selected the 5-foot-10 forward in the seventh round in 2023, and while he’s a little undersized and his skating is still underwhelming, his work with the puck is tremendous. You have to wonder how long it will be until the Preds give him a chance.

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

If Denver goes far, Devine is going to be a big reason why. The 21-year-old set a career-high 56 points last year and entered the NCAA playoffs this season with 54. He has a good shot, but he’s more dangerous as a playmaker, as shown by his 41 assists in his first 39 games. Devine has been one of the NCAA’s most effective wingers the past few years and is a repeat Hobey Baker top 10 finalist after earning recognition in both 2024 and 2025. Devine is a speedy, energetic forward who just makes things happen. He’s set to turn pro this offseason after already winning two national NCAA titles – but he’d love to snag one more.

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

There’s an argument to be made that Buium is the best prospect in hockey right now. He’s truly a remarkable defender, and his stock his sky-high right now. Since Jan. 2024, Buium has won two World Junior Championships with USA and a national NCAA title with the University of Denver. And Buium has been a key part of all of that, playing important minutes while establishing himself as a play-driving, all-around defender. He’s so effective at both ends of the ice, and he’s a truly remarkable skater. Buium isn’t particularly big or strong, but many scouts aren’t worried because his hockey IQ and pure skill are so high-end already. Look for Buium to push for an NHL spot next year – but first, the Hobey Baker top 10 finalist is looking to go out on a high note.

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

Rinzel is having a fantastic sophomore season – and if he has his way, he’ll make it last a few more days. The 6-foot-4 defender has obvious size, but he also has 31 points in 39 games. The fact he has 10 goals while playing all situations and dealing with tough matchups for Minnesota is remarkable. He’s a minute-muncher, playing more than 22 minutes a night in most games (his season high was 30:29 in mid-December). Defensively, Rinzel is smart, and he’s much better with the puck than scouts gave him credit for ahead of the 2022 NHL Draft. Rinzel should have little issue developing into a serviceable NHL defenseman quite soon.

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

If the Blues make the playoffs, Snuggerud could become a nice piece of the puzzle. But first, he’ll chase his first national title after previously coming quite close a few years ago. The two-time Hobey Baker top 10 finalist just fell short of the 50-point mark, but 49 points in 39 games on a team where he was the primary offensive weapon is still impressive. He has good overall strength, high hockey IQ and a good shot release. Combine that together and he should be a solid top-six NHLer in the near future. But first, he has something to prove on the national stage.

Other notables: Cole O’Hara, RW, UMass (Nashville Predators); Aidan Thompson, C, Univ. of Denver (Chicago Blackhawks); Cole Hutson, D, Boston Univ. (Washington Capitals); Charlie Stramel, C, Michigan State Univ. (Minnesota Wild); Mikhail Yegorov, G, Boston Univ. (New Jersey Devils)

SPONSORED BY bet365