The Top 10 in voting will be announced at a later date.
Bryson (fourth round, 2017) has enjoyed a stellar junior season so far. Through 23 games, he has 18 points (3+15) and is on pace to surpass his career-high of 25.
He's embraced a leadership role with the Friars, as he and Providence coach Nate Leaman explained to Sabres.com back in November:
Leaman pointed to a series with UMass in early November as evidence of Bryson's ability in that regard. The defenseman scored a goal and two assists in those games, a pair of one-goal losses. Leaman thought he was the best player on the ice in both instances.
"He holds me accountable for kind of playing on the power play and the penalty kill, things like that, in all those situations," Bryson said. "I think that's an honor as well. I like to be put out there in situations where he can trust me. It's been good. I've added more aspects to my game playing different positions and I think with the trust from Coach Leaman, it's been good so far."
Bryson posted a pair of two-assist games as Providence beat Boston University and Brown this week. They're set to play Fitzgerald's Boston College team on Saturday.
Fitzgerald (third round, 2016), meanwhile, has served as co-captain of the Golden Eagles with fellow Sabres draft pick Christopher Brown (sixth round, 2014).
We profiled them in a Prospects Update last month:
Brown and Fitzgerald know each other well, having lived together since their sophomore year and attended Sabres development camps together each summer. Brown describes the defenseman Fitzgerald as an all-around leader who's not afraid to speak up.
"Very talkative, but he also works really hard and leads by example," Brown said. "He's the best of both worlds. I love living with him and I love being his teammate. There's no one else I'd rather pick to lead this team and also live with these past couple years."
The NCAA Frozen Four returns to Buffalo in April. Both players will hope to be a part of it.
