While most good college hockey players have already been drafted prior to arriving on campus, there are always a couple of talented youngsters, late bloomers, and under-the-radar prospects who NHL scouts watch every season.
UMass center Josh Lopina was drafted as a double-overager in 2021 while three league freshmen were plucked off the board during the 2020 NHL draft. As the draft has trended older, more and more college players have been selected as overage players.
With the 2021-22 college hockey season underway, NHL scouts are scouring the circuit for talented players to draft next June. Northeastern freshman Jack Hughes, a late '03 in his first year of draft eligibility, is the only sure thing to be selected. There are several other players skating in Hockey East with an attribute that makes them a possibility to be a late-round pick.
Below is a look at five Hockey East freshmen eligible for the 2022 NHL draft:
Jack Hughes
Northeastern, 11/2/03, C, left shot, 6-0/165
Hughes has the thankless distinction as “not that Jack Hughes.” While this Jack Hughes won’t be the first overall pick in the draft like the other Jack Hughes was in 2019, he’s a very good player in his own right. The Northeastern freshman is a late '03 who spent the past two years at USA Hockey’s NTDP. He’ll be the youngest player in college hockey this season and will have to fight for ice time and power-play opportunities with a loaded roster on Huntington Ave. From Westwood, Mass., Hughes is a slick center who can stickhandle and protect pucks in traffic. His vision and confidence with the puck shows in his ability to make plays. He has one goal through three games for Jerry Keefe’s team. Hughes, who played his freshman year at Sebastian’s after growing up with the Junior Eagles, will likely be picked somewhere in the latter half of the first round. One of his classmates, forward Matt Choupani, an '02 from Montreal, could get some attention, as well.
Sasha Teleguine
UConn, 9/17/02, C/LW, left shot, 5-10/183
Teleguine is the first of four players with a very outside chance of hearing their names called next June. From North Attleboro, Mass., if Teleguine gets picked late, it will be because an organization values his skating. The former Thayer star is a gifted offensive player. His footwork, speed and hands allow him to make some highlight-reel plays with the puck. His complete game has previously been lacking, as his habits away from the puck and consistency have been his downfall when it comes to the opinion of scouts. Teleguine has one assist in his first two collegiate games.
Matt Copponi
Merrimack, 6/4/03, C, right shot, 5-11/160
Copponi rightfully earned some attention from scouts last season during his first year of draft eligibility. The Mansfield, Mass., native and Dexter Southfield alum is a hard-nosed center who has appeared in both games so far for the Warriors. Copponi’s skating and skill are above average, but scouts will most like his compete and his ability to play with an edge. Whether it was Mansfield High, Dexter Southfield or the River Rats, Copponi always put up over a point per game.
Mark Hillier
Merrimack, 3/18/02, C, left shot, 6-0/184
I haven’t seen Hillier as much as I’ve seen the Americans on this list. However, during my minimal viewings from when St. Andrew’s College visited New England, I liked what I saw. He’s a smart, cerebral center who is adept at making plays. He also can finish. From Labrador City, Newfoundland, Hillier has yet to dress in a game for the Warriors this season.
Matt Argentina
Boston College, 1/16/03, LW, right shot, 5-11/190
Argentina is an interesting player as he never quite lived up to expectations in the USHL with Waterloo. He was tendered out of the Mercer Chiefs 16-U and appeared in 90 games for the Black Hawks, scoring 12 goals and 18 assists for 30 points. He did rack up 162 penalty minutes during that time. Argentina, from Philadelphia, can play center or wing. He scored a goal and added an assist in his only game played for Jerry York’s club so far. Playing for BC and being a draft-eligible, he’ll have some eyes on him in 2021-22.
