It is NCAA men’s hockey tournament time, with the field of 16 beginning Thursday and Friday at four regional sites for a chance to play in the Frozen Four April 7-9 in Boston.
Harvard kicks it off at noon Thursday with a tough matchup against the Minnesota State- Mankato Mavericks, who finished the season as the nation’s No. 2 seed behind the Michigan Wolverines. The Mavericks are big, heavy and well-coached by Mike Hastings, but Ted Donato’s squad has the talent to score an upset. After winning the ECAC last weekend, they are playing their best hockey at the right time, getting production from all positions.
With games in Worcester, Mass., starting Friday, Hockey East champion UMass (No. 3 seed) and Northeastern will face stiff competition from Minnesota and Western Michigan. Quinnipiac and American International College are both in Allentown, Pa., with the latter team drawing the tournament favorite Michigan. UMass Lowell rounds out the six-team New England field, playing Denver University in Loveland, Colo.
We have a look at players from each of the local six teams who are expected to be factors in the regional round, plus two more natives and a watch list of guys from outside the region.
New England players to watch
Henry Thrun, D, Harvard
The former St. Mark’s and U.S. National Team star had his best season, leading all Harvard blue liners with 32 points in 34 games. The Southborough, Mass., native and Anaheim Ducks fourth-rounder in 2019 made the most of the COVID disruptions in 2020-21 to play in the USHL with Dubuque, paying dividends with his breakout campaign. With his mobility, smarts and ability to move pucks, he’s a key cog in the machine and intriguing NHL prospect.
Mitchell Gibson, G, Harvard
The Crimson have the talent up front to carry them back home to Boston for the NCAA semis, so Gibson’s play in net could be the linchpin. The Washington Capitals prospect finished the season strong, posting a career-best 2.10 goals against average and .919 save percentage to go with his 18 wins. A big factor in Harvard winning the ECAC, they will need the same kind of run from the 6-foot-1, 187-pound Gibson to be the last team standing in Albany.
Devon Levi, G, Northeastern
The academic sophomore had a Hobey Baker-worthy season in his first taste of Hockey East action, and was named a finalist for the award. Whatever he lacks in ideal pro size (6-0/185), the Buffalo Sabres prospect makes up for with his athleticism, focus and competitiveness. There was no better goalie in the NCAA this season, and if he gets into the zone, the Huskies have the talent around him to go the distance.
Sam Colangelo, C, Northeastern
Another Anaheim prospect, the Stoneham, Mass., product got off to a slower start in the Hockey East after being drafted in the second round (2020). At 6-foot-2, 208 pounds, he has the size and skill to dominate, especially when he competes and consistently takes pucks to the net. His 26 points in 28 games is only the start, and if he returns for his junior season, watch for Colangelo to be one of the most lethal scorers in the conference, if not the nation, in 2023. For now, he’s getting it together at the right time.
Scott Morrow, D, Massachusetts
The Darien, Conn., true freshman and Hurricanes second-rounder last July made a seamless transition to college hockey with the Minutemen. He jumped out to an immediate lead in scoring from the back end and never relinquished it, sitting second to Hobey Baker finalist Bobby Trivigno. He’s lived up to the hype, playing a productive two-way game and forming an impressive young defense duo with fellow freshman Ryan Ufko.
Josh Lopina, C, Massachusetts
The Illinois product turned a strong freshman season into a top-100 draft selection by the Ducks in 2021. He’s a big-bodied center at 6-foot-2, 195 pounds and plays a strong two-way game. He can wear opponents down and his playing style is tailor-made for the playoffs.
Blake Bennett, LW, AIC
The Yellow Jackets’ top scorer from Grand Island, N.Y, came through in the clutch in the Atlantic Conference championship against Air Force. He earned tournament MVP honors. He’s creative, with a knack for being around the puck and making plays in tight spaces.
Zach Metsa, D, Quinnipiac
The ECAC’s top scoring defender and Wisconsin product may not have pro size, but can wheel and transport pucks effortlessly. He led the Bobcats in scoring with nine goals and 34 points, boosting production in each of his four seasons there after coming out of the USHL and BCHL. An underdog, watch for him to make a big splash here.
Yaniv Perets, G, Quinnipiac
Like Levi, Perets grabbed the net and didn’t let it go, putting up elite numbers and a record-setting 11 shutouts to lead the NCAA. His athleticism and penchant to stymie opponents make Quinnipiac one of the most dangerous teams in the tournament.
Andre Lee, LW,UMass Lowell
The late draft pick by Los Angeles in 2019 has enjoyed a breakout season with 16 goals in 33 games. At 6-foot-4, 205 pounds, he’s nimble for his size and has soft hands to beat defenders in small areas and get to the net. He’s a puck possession machine and watch for him to have a solid pro career when he decides to make the jump.
Ben Meehan, D, UMass Lowell
The Walpole, Mass., native and former Dexter standout is another Kings prospect like Lee, and showed improvement from his freshman season. He’s mobile, efficient and more offense is sure to bloom from what is an intriguing two-way foundation on the back end.
Matty Beniers, C, Michigan
Michigan’s leading scorer can do it all, and there isn’t a lot more ground to cover. As the NCAA’s top seed, the pressure is on Beniers, from Hingham, Mass., and his ultra-talented Wolverines team to win it all after COVID-19 knocked them out of the running a year ago. If they are going to live up to expectations, Beniers will have to lead the way.
Mackie Samoskevich, RW, Michigan
The Florida Panthers first-rounder from Newtown, Conn., has started to feel it, providing important secondary scoring among a constellation of star players in Ann Arbor. His speed and quick hands make him a matchup headache for opposing coaches, who have to dedicate much of their defensive efforts to Michigan’s top players, so Samoskevich could exploit those opportunities.
Players to watch outside the region
Nathan Smith, F, Minnesota St. (NHL rights traded to Coyotes by Jets)
Brendan Furry, F, Minnesota St. (undrafted free agent)
Matthew Galajda, G, Notre Dame; (undrafted free agent)
Jake Schmaltz, F, North Dakota; (Bruins/2019)
Ben Meyers, F, Minnesota; (undrafted free agent)
Ethen Frank, F, Western Michigan; (undrafted free agent)
Bobby Brink, F, Denver; (Flyers/2019)
Nick Perbix, D, St. Cloud State; (Lightning/2017)
Noah Cates, F, Minnesota Duluth; (Flyers/2017)
