New England Hockey Journal's NCAA preview series continues with a quick look at some sophomore and junior players in the ECAC who are prime candidates to have breakout campaigns in 2021-22.
Harvard has a pair of players in Nick Abruzzese and Henry Thrun who will help carry the Crimson hopes at forward and on defense. Both are NHL prospects with Toronto and Anaheim respectively. Add in forward John Farinacci (Arizona Coyotes), and the trio are expected to form a potent attack up front along with Casey Dornbach, who was recently profiled on our ECAC senior watch list.Â
Clarkson sophomore Alex Campbell has scored at every level, and last year’s freshman campaign was no exception. He’s one of the best skaters in college hockey, with a terrific feel for the offensive flow.
On defense, Cornell’s Travis Mitchell has an intriguing NHL skillset and the late ’99 junior will play prominent minutes in all situations for the Big Red, and likely receive pro attention as an available undrafted free agent.
The series continues with sophomore and junior players at every position who should take their production to another level with their respective ECAC teams. At least one player from every club in the conference is featured and focuses on players with D-1 playing experience.
Academic sophomores who have yet to appear in any college games and/or played junior hockey in 2020-21 because of COVID-19 will appear in a forthcoming freshman and first-year player watch list.
Forwards
Nick Abruzzese, Harvard;Â 6/4/99, 5-9/160
Exploded onto the scene as a freshman two years ago to lead the Crimson with 44 points and is going to be dangerous and productive again on a deep Harvard roster. Former Chicago Steel star who helped his team reach the 2019 Clark Cup final series has the speed, hands and high-end vision/creativity to be one of college hockey’s best players this season. He was a steal for Toronto in the fourth round in 2019.
Alex Campbell, Clarkson;Â 2/27/01, 5-11/174
Former BCHL rookie of the year (Victoria) and USHL first team all-star (Omaha) made an immediate splash as a freshman with his warp speed and high-end hands and head to the tune of 17 points in 22 games. Although he wore down toward season’s end after a hot start, watch for the Nashville third-round pick in 2019 to be the focal point of the Golden Knights’ attack. His biggest challenge is to add strength to his slight build, but the Montreal-area native is one of the Predators’ most talented prospects.
John Farinacci, Harvard;Â 2/14/01, 6-0/180
All-around forward with a natural knack for scoring goals leverages a pro-caliber release and the instincts to recognize and exploit shooting lanes. With the loss of Ivy League hockey last year, he played some USHL games for Muskegon and helped lead Team USA to gold in the World Jr. Championship. The New Jersey product is one of Arizona’s top prospects.
Ty Smilanic, Quinnipiac;Â 1/20/02, 6-1/180
The youngest player on the watch list, the former U.S. National Team star and Denver University recruit lit the lamp 14 times as a freshman for the Bobcats. A third-round selection of the Florida Panthers in 2020 has size, explosive skating speed and the ability to play at a breakneck pace. While he doesn’t always put it together, there is no doubting the talent and game-breaking skills.
Anthony Romano, Clarkson;Â 10/7/00, 6-0/180
Junior center who helped the Sioux Falls Stampede win the 2019 Clark Cup in the USHL can skate and create. He plays with pace, and while he’s been a middle-of-the-roster point producer in his first two seasons in Potsdam, watch for an uptick in numbers as the Golden Knights bring in more talent.
Alex Young, Colgate;Â 3/21/01, 5-11/170
Smallish but highly skilled and intelligent pivot made an immediate impact last season, finishing tied for the team scoring lead with senior Josh McKechney. With both players back for 2021-22, expect Young to take another step offensively with his speed, creativity and attacking mindset. He was a seventh-round selection of the San Jose Sharks in 2020.
Liam Gorman, Princeton;Â 5/8/00, 6-3/199 (Arlington, Mass.)
Big and athletic power forward and Pittsburgh Penguins sixth-rounder starred at St. Sebastian’s but played a reduced role for the Tigers in his freshman campaign two years ago. Watch for him to take a big step forward with his large frame, ability to create off the cycle and if he consistently gets to the net, could become a matchup challenge for opposing defenses.
Zach Dubinsky, RPI;Â 3/14/00, 5-8/174
After a solid freshman season in 2019-20 (12 points in 22 games), Dubinsky joined the Omaha Lancers in Jan. and filled the void of a season-ending loss of Jack Jensen. The son of former NHLer Steve Dubinsky is fast, smart and uses his low center of gravity to get up under bigger players and maintain control of the puck. Poised and confident, he will be one of the Engineers’ top options up front.
Cameron Buhl, St. Lawrence;Â 12/3/98, 5-10/174
Smart, slick Minnesota native joined the Saints after a breakout season in 2019 with the NAHL’s Minnesota Magicians and has steadily progressed in his two college campaigns. Watch for him to use his quickness and small-area effectiveness to build on his 15 points in 17 games a year ago.
Sleepers
Ben Berard, Cornell - Experienced, productive former BCHLer will provide sneaky scoring this year.
Ross Mitton, Colgate - Athletic and fast, the Long Island product didn’t play a lot as a freshman but has a pinpoint release and should earn a bigger role this time.
Christophe Fillion, Quinnipiac - Cerebral forward isn’t flashy, but just racks up points and will give the Bobcats solid secondary production.
Luke Mobley, Clarkson - One of the conference’s preeminent power forwards with his size, speed, hands and a nasty dimension, the Minnesotan will eventually be a sought-after NHL free agent.
Brad Cocca, Brown -Â Small but smart playmaking forward was a productive player in the BCHL and will be counted on to provide first-wave scoring for the Bears.
Spencer Kersten, Princeton -Â Former OJHL star with Oakville put up solid numbers as a freshman two years ago and is expected to take that next step.
Chaz Smedsrud, Union - Big-bodied (6-4/192) winger from Minnesota isn’t the most fleet of foot, but is seasoned, effective below the dots and when he goes to the net.
Defensemen
Henry Thrun, Harvard;Â 3/12/01, 6-2/195 (Southborough, Mass.)
Anaheim Ducks fourth-rounder in 2019 is a very good two-way defender who can do it all with his size, skating, skills and defensive acumen. After 22 points in 24 with the USHL’s Dubuque Fighting Saints, the former St. Mark’s and NTDP star was a key contributor to Team USA’s WJC win in January. He’s always been a smart, defensive presence, but the development of the offensive dimension makes him a top player to watch this season.
Travis Mitchell, Cornell;Â 11/25/99, 6-3/201
A tall, long defender, Mitchell can move well and has improved his offensive skillset after a 12-point freshman campaign two years ago. He attended Boston Bruins development camp in August and impressed with his mobility and pro hockey tools. Long fuse: if Mitchell can develop a more consistently tough to play against mindset, he’ll be even more impactful at this level.
Simon Kjellberg, RPI;Â 2/17/00, 6-3/190
Son of former NHL forward Patric Kjellberg and NY Rangers sixth-round selection in 2018 immediately impressed at RPI after one year in the USHL with Dubuque. He’s a rangy skater with a good stick, but also has the ability to move pucks and provide important contributions on special teams. Though not as dynamic as others on the list, he will be a play driver from the back end this season.
Dylan Anhorn, Union;Â 1/21/99, 6-0/183
Alberta native played junior hockey in both his native province (AJHL) and in the BCHL before Union and brings a solid all-around presence to Union. He led the Dutchmen as a freshman two years ago, and activates at the right times, getting up into the play and keeping things simple.
Ryan Carmichael, Yale;Â 3/3/99, 6-2/200 (Greenwich, Conn.)
Transfer from Notre Dame brings much-needed talent to the Bulldogs after the canceled 2020-21 season wreaked havoc with numerous roster players turning pro. After a standout prep career at Brunswick and one USHL season with Fargo and Lincoln, he had trouble breaking in as a regular in South Bend and will be counted on to play minutes and a lot of situations this season.
Luke Krys, Brown;Â 9/27/00, 6-2/185Â Â (Ridgefield, Conn.)
Son of former BU and pro, Mark Krys, will key Brown’s back end this season. Former Salisbury School captain went straight to school from prep and it was an adjustment for the lanky right-shot defender, but with his tools, is expected to play a more settled two-way game this time around.
Tanner Palocsik, Dartmouth;Â 5/26/99, 5-11/190
The Big Green returns its top scorer on defense from two seasons ago and the Pennsylvania native will have all the minutes he can handle this season. He sees the ice very well and is a confident, poised, heads-up skater. His experience and leadership will be important on a team that has a lot of new faces this season.
Sleepers
Sam Malinski, Cornell - Minnesotan and Bismarck Bobcats (NAHL) star impressed with a 16-point freshman campaign in 2019-20, and he’ll continue to key the Cornell transition game.
Pierson Brandon, Colgate -Â A sneaky bet to break out as one of the better two-way defenders in the conference with his well-rounded game.
Luc Salem, St. Lawrence -Â Californian has a nice offensive dimension and will have the opportunities to boost his production as a sophomore.
Goaltenders
Mitchell Gibson, Harvard;Â 6/25/99, 6-1/187
Big things are expected from the Washington Capitals’ fourth-round pick in 2018. He went 11-8-3 with a solid .916 save percentage as a freshman and the pressure will be on playing behind such a talented Harvard lineup. Most players wouldn’t want it any other way, and Gibson has the talent and mental toughness to help his squad live up to the high expectations.
Carter Gylander, Colgate;Â 6/5/01, 6-5/185
Detroit Red Wings prospect from Alberta played 19 games last season as a freshman and was effective, going 6-9-4 with a 2.69 goals against and .901 save percentage. With his size and athleticism, he will be the Red Raiders’ workhorse in net and best chance for the team to take positive steps this season.
Connor Murphy, Union;Â 9/1/98, 6-4/200
Northeastern transfer and New York product brings needed experience to Union this season and should make his presence felt. He has to prove that he can carry the mail as a No. 1 at the collegiate level, but posted 31 wins for the Jr. A Carleton Place Canadians in 2019, so he has it in him to make that kind of impact in the ECAC. Having played in 2020-21 will give him an edge.
Sleeper
Justin Ferguson, Dartmouth (Hudson, N.H.) - He has limited experience with four college games under his belt, but could form an effective tandem with Clay Stevenson this season.
