Michigan. Minnesota. Boston University. Quinnipiac.
These four powerhouse college hockey programs are the last teams remaining ahead of the 2023 Frozen Four and are bringing plenty of star power down to Tampa.
In total, 41 NHL draft picks will be participating in the NCAA hockey tournament, including 14 on Minnesota, 12 on Michigan, 12 on Boston University and three from Quinnipiac. Six of those are first-round selections.
In addition, two projected first-rounders in the 2023 draft will be in Tampa. Michigan’s Adam Fantilli is one of those two, who could be the second player taken off the board on draft day.
MORE: Frozen Four 2023 schedule, results
The Sporting News takes a look at the top 10 NHL prospects at the 2023 Frozen Four.
1. Adam Fantilli, F, Michigan
Fantilli has dominated the NCAA in his freshman season at Michigan. One of the premier prospects for the 2023 draft has the most points among all NCAA DI players with 64 in 35 games. His 29 goals only trail Western Michigan’s Jason Polin and his 1.82 points per game leads the nation.
The 18-year-old Toronto native was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year, placed on the All-Big Ten First Team and was a unanimous selection for the All-Freshman Team. He was snubbed of the Big Ten Player of the Year honors, which went to Minnesota’s Matthew Knies.
Whoever misses out on Connor Bedard in the upcoming draft has a really nice consolation prize in Fantilli.
2. Logan Cooley, F, Minnesota
Like Fantilli, Cooley was excellent in his freshman season playing in the Big Ten. The No. 3 pick from the 2022 draft is second in the nation in points with 57, only trailing Fantilli. He’s also tied for first in the country in assists (37) with Michigan’s Luke Hughes.
Any other year, Cooley would have been a shoo-in for Big Ten Rookie of the Year. But alas, he has to settle for selections to the All-Big Ten First Team and All-Freshman Team. Alongside his linemate Jimmy Snuggerud, Cooley was named co-scoring champion for the conference with 36 points.
Centering a line with Matthew Knies and Jimmy Snuggerud, the Coyotes prospect is always a threat in the offensive zone.
3. Lane Hutson, D, Boston University
Out of the ten finalists for the Hobey Baker Award, only one was a defenseman. That was Hutson, the driving force behind Boston University.
The 2022 second-round pick of the Canadiens is leading all DI defensemen in points (38) and goals (15). He is seventh out of all skaters in points and tied for sixth in points per game (1.26). The Terriers defenseman won the conference scoring title with 34 points in Hockey East play.
In addition, the smooth-skating blue liner was a unanimous selection to the Hockey East First-Team All-Star squad and All-Rookie Team. Hutson is proving to a lot of NHL clubs that they made a mistake by allowing him to slip all the way to No. 62 last draft.
4. Yaniv Perets, G, Quinnipiac
Quinnipiac consistently relies on its structure and defensive play in order to win games. The method has been successful, and a big reason why is Perets.
The goaltender is the backbone of the Bobcats’ defense. Perets won the Ken Dryden Award as ECAC Hockey’s best goalie for the second consecutive season. He’s first in the nation in goals-against average (1.46), wins (32), tied for first in shutouts (10) and second in save percentage (.932%).
The undrafted netminder is a finalist again for the Mike Richter Award, given to the NCAA’s top DI goalie. If you want to call Northeastern’s Devon Levi the best goalie in college hockey this year, Perets is a close second.
MORE: Is Quinnipiac’s Skyler Brind’Amour related to Rod Brind’Amour?
5. Jimmy Snuggerud, F, Minnesota
Alongside one of Cooley’s wings has been Snuggerud, a Blues 2022 first-round pick. The chemistry between Snuggerud and Cooley dates back to their time with the U.S. National Team Development Program, and it’s been very evident this season at Minnesota.
Snuggerud is fifth among DI skaters in points with 50 and is tied for seventh in goals with 38. He earned co-conference scoring champion honors with Cooley, as the two each finished Big Ten competition with 36.
The shifty winger loves to shoot the puck. His 151 shots on goal are tied for ninth in the country and are the most among any players on the Frozen Four teams. Snuggerud was tabbed with a selection to the All-Big Ten Second Team for his efforts.
6. Collin Graf, F, Quinnipiac
Graf has found his place at Quinnipiac. The sophomore transfer from Union exploded out of nowhere this season and has been a spark plug on offense for a Quinnipiac team that relies more on defense.
His 56 points rank third in the country, his 36 assists are tied for third and his 1.44 points-per-game are fourth. Graf was a unanimous selection to the First Team All-ECAC Hockey and a top-10 finalist for the Hobey Baker.
Graf has emerged as one of the best undrafted players in the NCAA this season and should receive interest from NHL clubs.
7. Matthew Knies, F, Minnesota
The third member of the Golden Gophers’ most productive forward line, Knies is excelling in his sophomore season in Minnesota. His 38 goals are tied with Snuggerud for the team lead and place him in a tie for seventh in the nation. Knies has 41 points heading into Frozen Four play.
Knies beat out teammates Cooley and Snuggerud, as well as Fantilli, for the Big Ten Player of the Year honors. He was also selected to the All-Big Ten First Team. The Maple Leafs prospect is a big, skilled power forward that is a pain to play against and a key cog in the Golden Gophers’ potent offense.
8. Luke Hughes, D, Michigan
Another day, another Hughes brother playing on a big stage. The younger brother of NHL stars Quinn and Jack is back for the second year in a row in the Frozen Four.
Hughes did not score nearly as high of a rate as he did last year, focusing more on the defensive side of his game. He still produced 37 points, which is second among all defensemen and tied for eighth in the country in that category.
The 2021 No. 4 pick by the Devils was selected to the All-Big Ten First Team this year. Hutson has been the best college hockey defenseman this year, but Hughes is the clear-cut second choice.
9. Mackie Samoskevich, F, Michigan
Samoskevich was the hero for Michigan in the regionals, as his OT wrister sent the Wolverines past Penn State in the regional final and onto the Frozen Four.
The Panthers 2021 first-round pick enters the Frozen Four with 43 points in 38 games played, ranking third on the team in points. He was named to the All-Big Ten Second Team as a sophomore.
Samoskevich’s shot is his greatest weapon, evidenced by his 132 shots on goal, which are top-25 in the nation and second on the Wolverines.
10. Brock Faber, D, Minnesota
On a Minnesota team filled with star power on offense, Faber is a calming presence on Bob Motzko’s blue line. The Wild prospect is the two-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and was an All-Big Ten First-Team selection.
Faber is a steady, two-way defenseman. He’s added 25 points in 36 games for the Golden Gophers, but where he excels is in the transition game and in his own zone.