Five players to watch as the NCAA tournament begins

As the Colorado Avalanche tumble through the final nine games of a season which, for all intents and purposes, ended months ago, it’s easy to forget there’s still meaningful hockey happening out there. While it might not feel like it inside the Avalanche locker room, the hockey world carries on, and that means two things: 1) the start of the NCAA tournament and 2) a number of quality young NCAA hockey players hitting free agency.

Perhaps even more troubling than the Avalanche’s historically bad NHL season is the lack of obvious help coming up through their system. They boast a bottom-five AHL team, and beyond their projected top four pick in the 2017 draft, plus Tyson Jost, who has put together an impressive rookie campaign at the University of North Dakota, the Avs’ collection of high impact prospects is among the NHL’s worst.

Not helping their meager prospect pipeline is the fact that Colorado has long struggled to attract high-end NCAA free agents to the Rocky Mountains. The Avalanche were well-documented suitors for Kevin Hayes and eight-year NHL veteran Tyler Bozak when they ended their college careers, but watched both impact players sign out east. The team was turned down twice more in recent weeks by Northeastern’s Zach Aston-Reese (PIT) and by St Lawrence defenseman Gavin Bayreuther (DAL), though their historically bad NHL team likely wasn’t much of a selling point.

Still, for an organization in desperate need of young talent, NCAA Free Agency is a low risk, high reward market for teams that scout well and can sell young players on their vision for the future. That market is sure to heat up in the coming days, as top teams are eliminated and more talent becomes available, but a number of intriguing NCAA prospects including Sam Vigneault (CBJ), Chris Nell (NYR), Mitch Hults (ANA) and Tyler Kelleher (NSH/Milwaukee) have already been snatched up by NHL teams.

As the NCAA tournament prepares to kick off this evening most in Avalanche country will have their eyes keenly locked on prospects Will Butcher and Tyson Jost, but here’s a look at five more players Avalanche fans should keep an eye on:

Mike Vecchione: (C/RW) 5’10” 195 lbs, Age 24, Shoots Right

With Zach Aston-Reese off the market and defenseman Daniel Brickley electing to return to Minnesota State next season, Vecchione might just be the biggest free agent prize remaining in the NCAA market this season. After a disappointing junior year which saw Vecchione score just nine goals, the Union College Captain returned with a vengeance for his senior year. Vecchione ranks third in the NCAA in total points with 62 and second in college hockey with 29 goals. Between wearing a letter for Union College, winning a NCAA Championship in 2014, and earning the nod as a Hobey Baker Finalist (he’s also the favorite to win it) this season, Vecchione has accomplished just about all you can in a NCAA career.

At just 5’10”, Vecchione certainly won’t be a bruiser in the NHL, but he’s not afraid of physical contact either. Vecchione is a solid skater and stick handler, but what really makes him stand out is his 200-foot commitment to two-way hockey and his exceptional on-ice motor. It’s difficult to tell just how much upside Vecchione has at the NHL level thanks to his size, but the Union senior, who has turned down NHL offers after both his Sophomore and Junior seasons is sure to attract lots of interest once Union is eliminated.

Both of Vecchione’s linemates: sophomore Sebastian Vidmar (14G, 40Pts, 34GP) and junior Spencer Foo (24G, 60Pts, 37GP) are unrestricted free agents following their NCAA season. 6’0″ winger Spencer Foo ranks 4th in NCAA scoring and is also a Hobey Baker Finalist.

Neal Pionk: (D) 5’11” 181 lbs, Age 21, Shoots Right

One of the top defenseman on the NCAA’s 2nd seeded University of Minnesota Duluth team, Neal Pionk is going to have a busy phone line the day that the Bulldogs season ends. Pionk has made a name for himself in the very tough NCHC as a fleet-footed two-way defenseman. Though he’s not big, Pionk isn’t afraid to play an in-your-face physical game and uses his strong skating ability to recover well defensively.

Where the sophomore has really shined this year, however, is on the offensive side of the ice. Pionk boasts an impressive slap shot and has made hay this season as the team’s power play quarterback. With 32 points in 38 games, Pionk finishes the year as the Bulldog’s third leading scorer and the seventh highest point scorer among NCAA defenseman.

Adam Johnson: (C/RW) 6’0″ 174 lbs, Age 22, Shoots Left

Another impressive young free agent from the Minnesota-Duluth program, Johnson doubled his freshman year point totals this season as one of the Bulldog’s top players. Johnson shines for his skating ability, with blazing speed and strong edge work, he dances around a number of NCHC defensemen that just can’t skate at his level. Johnson is still on the small side, weighing in at just 175 lbs. That may be a challenge for him if he tries to begin a career in pro hockey now, but top flight skating ability is real asset in an NHL prospect, and Johnson might be the best skater available in this NCAA free agent class.

Alexander Kerfoot: (C/RW) 5’10” 174 lbs, Age 22, Shoots Left

The case for Alexander Kerfoot is a little different from the other players on this list, as Harvard captain and top playmaker was actually drafted by the New Jersey Devils in the 5th round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. That said, there is a growing suspicion around the league that Kerfoot could follow in teammate Jimmy Vesey‘s footsteps and spurn the team that drafted him in favor of free agency this summer. TSN’s Darren Dreger has fanned those flames, suggesting that Kerfoot’s Vancouver connections could see him headed to the Canucks.

Kerfoot led the Harvard Crimson in the locker room, serving as captain, and on the ice, where he scored 16 goals and 41 points, good for 2nd on the roster. Kerfoot may not be NHL-ready, but his high hockey IQ and impressive playmaking ability down low mean he’ll garner plenty of interest if he does elect free agency.

Jake Oettinger: (G) 6’4″ 2o5 lbs, Age 18, Catches Left

He’s not a free agent, but Boston University goalie Jake Oettinger may be one of the fastest rising prospects eligible for the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. Oettinger beat out more experienced NCAA veterans to steal the starting job in Boston, then doubled down with an impressive .927 SV% and a Gold Medal win at this year’s World Junior Championship, where he earned a spot as the United States’ 3rd goalie.

With a dearth of young goalies in the Avalanche’s NHL system, Jake Oettinger could be a name to watch on draft day. With NHL size and athleticism, Oettinger will be one of the draft’s top goalies, and will almost surely be selected within the first two rounds.

Honorable Mentions:

CJ Smith, Left Wing, UMass Lowell

Joe Gambardella, Forward, UMass Lowell

Justin Kloos, Forward, Minnesota

Griffen Molino, Left Wing, Western Michigan

The NCAA tournament begins tonight with Harvard, the University of Minnesota Duluth, Boston University and the University of North Dakota all in action. A full bracket and schedule are listed below: