Top NCAA free agents who could sign contracts in NHL for stretch run
Brown of Boston University, Ford of Providence, Nelson of Minnesota among best players available
By
Mark Divver
NHL.com Independent Correspondent
Signing undrafted collegiate players to entry-level contracts is an affordable way for teams to add depth and shore up prospect pools without spending draft capital or surrendering an asset in trade.
The 2023 NCAA free agent class is not regarded as a strong one, but serviceable complementary players are available.
As NCAA teams finish their seasons, undrafted players will be free to sign with any NHL team.
The first free agent of note, Bowling Green defenseman
Anton Malmstrom
, signed with the St. Louis Blues on Monday.
In alphabetical order, here are 15 college free agents in the running to earn pro contracts:
Matt Brown, Boston University
With 43 points (15 goals, 28 assists) in 33 games, the 23-year-old forward is tied for the scoring lead in Hockey East. He played two years at UMass-Lowell before transferring to BU, where he's a senior.
Parker Ford, Providence
The 22-year-old forward has 25 points (11 goals, 14 assists) in 34 games. A senior captain whose engine never stops, he was plus-17 and won 59.1 of his faceoffs during the regular season.
Riese Gaber, North Dakota
An undersized forward (5-foot-8, 163 pounds), the 23-year-old plays with tremendous energy. A junior, he has 34 points (19 goals, 15 assists) in 35 games.
Justin Hryckowian, Northeastern
The sophomore forward has good hands and is excellent on face-offs. The 22-year-old, who has 36 points (15 goals, 21 assists) in 34 games, attended development camp with the Washington Capitals prior to this season.
Jake Livingstone, Minnesota State-Mankato
The 23-year-old junior, who was named Central Collegiate Hockey Association Defenseman of the Year last season, has 30 points (seven goals, 23 assists) in 36 games this season.
Sam Malinski, Cornell
The 24-year-old defenseman, who has plenty of poise with the puck, has 25 points (eight goals, 17 assists) in 29 games. He attended New York Rangers development camp in 2022.
Ryan McAllister, Western Michigan
The 21-year-old forward is having a standout freshman season with 45 points (11 goals, 34 assists) in 36 games. The Canadian Junior Hockey League Most Valuable Player last season for Brooks of the Alberta Junior Hockey League, McAllister was named to the National Collegiate Hockey Conference All-Rookie Team on Tuesday.
Hunter McKown, Colorado College
A 20-year-old junior, the forward is a gifted shooter who leads his team with 25 points (19 goals, six assists) in 34 games. He played on the United State world junior team in August.
Travis Mitchell, Cornell
The senior defenseman, who plays in all situations, has 17 points (six goals, 11 assists) in 29 games. The 23-year-old has attended development camps with the St. Louis Blues and Boston Bruins.
Jaxon Nelson, Minnesota
The senior forward has the kind of size (6-4, 220) NHL teams prefer in the middle. The 22-year-old has an NCAA career-best 21 points (seven goals, 14 assists) in 34 games as a second-line center.
Victor Ostman, Maine
The Sweden-born 22-year-old goalie helped his team to a surprising sixth-place finish in Hockey East after finishing last a year ago. The junior is 14-11-4 with a 2.18 goals-against average, .919 save percentage and five shutouts this season.
Jason Polin, Western Michigan
The 23-year-old senior forward has 45 points (29 goals, 16 assists) in 36 games and leads the nation in goal-scoring after totaling 30 goals through his first three seasons.
Max Sasson, Western Michigan
The sophomore plays center on the highest-scoring line in the country with McAllister and Polin. He has 39 points (14 goals, 25 assists) in 35 games. The 22-year-old had seven points (five goals, two assists) in a two-game sweep of Miami University last weekend.
Wilmer Skoog, Boston University
The Sweden-born center has 29 points (12 goals, 17 assists) in 33 games playing on BU's top line. The 23-year-old senior has scored four "Michigan" lacrosse-style goals in collegiate play.
Austen Swankler, Bowling Green
The 21-year-old sophomore was granted NCAA eligibility in 2021 even though he played one season with Erie of the Ontario Hockey League. The forward was Bowling Green's leading scorer with 44 points (19 goals, 25 assists) in 35 games this season.
