Minnesota-Duluth centre Jack Connolly (12) celebrates after scoring a goal in a college hockey game against North Dakota on Feb. 11, 2012. Connolly attended Minnesota Wild's prospect camp last summer and Chicago Blackhawks prospect camp two summers ago.
So as different schools are eliminated leading up to the Frozen Four in Tampa Bay at the St. Pete Times Forum, Apr. 5-7, expect some signings over the next few weeks. Below is our proverbial (Hobey) baker's dozen of U.S. College players who will land contracts over the next five weeks (in alphabetical order).
Spencer Abbott, Forward
Maine
Age: 23. Height: 5-9. Weight: 170
Hometown: Hamilton, Ont.
The skinny: A Hobey Baker candidate, he is among the NCAA's top offensive producers with 56 points in 34 games ... He skates on a line with another top free-agent, Brian Flynn ... Played for the Hamilton Red Wings prior to Maine.
J.T. Brown, Forward
Minnesota-Duluth
Age: 21. Height: 5-10. Weight: 170.
Hometown: Burnsville, Minn.
The skinny: Plays on a line with another top college free agent, Travis Oleksuk ... Has scored 21 goals in 34 games this year ... His father Ted was a running back for eight years (1979-1987) with the Minnesota Vikings.
Jack Connolly, Forward
Minnesota-Duluth
Age: 22. Height: 5-8, Weight: 160.
Hometown: Duluth, Minn.
The skinny: Small, but an offensive dynamo ... Attended Minnesota Wild's prospect camp last summer and Chicago Blackhawks prospect camp two summers ago ... Older brother Chris is a senior forward for Boston University.
Danny Dekeyser, Defence
Western Michigan
Age: 22. Height: 6-2. Weight: 170.
Hometown: Algonac, Mich.
The skinny: Detroit Red Wings often have been mentioned as the favourite to sign this Michigander ... He grew up a Red Wings fan and played minor hockey with the son of Detroit assistant GM Jim Nill ... Played for the 2008-09 Trail Smoke Eaters of the BCHL.
Brian Flynn, Forward
Maine
Age: 23. Height: 6-0. Weight: 170.
Hometown: Lynnfield, Mass.
The skinny: Is 12th on the school's all-time scoring list with 153 points (68 goals, 85 assists) in 146 games ... Is a team captain ... Plays on a line with the aforementioned Spencer Abbott.
Torey Krug, Defence
Michigan State
Age: 20. Height: 5-9. Weight: 175.
Hometown: Livonia, Mich.
The skinny: Became the first defenceman in 25 years to win the CCHA scoring title at 29 points, an honour he shared with Notre Dame's T.J. Tynan ... Small, but makes a good first pass and obviously can pile up the points.
Travis Oleksuk, Forward
Minnesota-Duluth
Age: 23. Height: 6-0. Weight: 200.
Hometown: Thunder Bay, Ont.
The skinny: Set up the U.S. college championship-winning goal for his team a year ago ... Is considered a solid two-way player ... His father Bill preceded him at Minnesota-Duluth in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Cameron Schilling, Defence
Miami (Ohio)
Age: 23. Height: 6-2. Weight: 182.
Hometown: Carmel, Indiana
The skinny: An all-around defender ... Has a good shot ... Attended prospect camps for the Blackhawks and Wild, too.
Andrej Sustr, Defence
Nebraska-Omaha
Age: 21. Height: 6-8. Weight: 200.
Hometown: Pizen, Czech Republic
The skinny: A huge player, he attended the prospects camp of the New York Rangers last summer ... Ottawa Senators are believed to have interest in this defenceman.
Matt Tennyson, Defence
Western Michigan
Age: 21. Height: 6-2. Weight: 212.
Hometown: Pleasanton, Calif.
The skinny: NHL scouts have noticed Tennyson on trips to take look at Dekeyser ... Known for his physical play, he also possesses a booming shot that comes in handy on the power play.
Jeremy Welsh, Forward
Union
Age: 23. Height: 6-3. Weight: 200.
Hometown: Bayfield, Ont.
The skinny: Went to the Blackhawks prospect camp last summer ... A former Oakville Blades captain, he helped the Blades capture the 2007-08 provincial championship.
Mark Zengerle Forward
Wisconsin
Age: 22. Height: 5-11. Weight: 178
Hometown: Rochester, N.Y.
The skinny: Attended Toronto Maple Leafs prospect camp last summer and the Maple Leafs still have interest in the sophomore forward ... Tied for most points among all second-year players in the country ... Had second-longest scoring streak in program history at 20 games.
Tim Wharnsby
Tim's worked the sports beat at The Globe and Mail and the Toronto Sun, specializing in Canada's one true sporting obsession - hockey. He knows the players, the coaches, the backroom boys and most importantly, the fans. That's what he brings to his stories. Knowledge, fairness and understanding are trademarks of a Wharnsby story. That's what you will get here as he writes for CBCSports.ca.
