by Jordan McAlpine/CHN Reporter (@jordan_mcalpine)
Top North Dakota recruit Keaton Verhoeff, fresh out of Major Junior.
Related ArticlesBoston UniversityMichigan StateNorth Dakota
The 2025-26 college hockey season is upon us and fans will soon be exposed to another crop of promising young prospects.
In the ever-changing landscape that is collegiate athletics, this off-season felt unprecedented, as rules change, NIL runs rampant and schools have a wider player pool than ever before.
NCAA rosters saw an influx of Major Junior players from the QMJHL, OHL and WHL -– something that would’ve never been previously imagined. On top of your traditional BCHL, European, USHL and high school commitments, among others. Teams have even added players with professional experience or from the Canadian University level.
Recruiting is crazier than ever and coaches are forced to constantly adapt as the sport so many love continues to evolve. However, the summer is in the rear view mirror and there’s plenty of talented freshmen ready to make an impact.
Here’s a look at the top freshmen classes and players around the country.
Leading The Way
Michigan State
It’s impossible to ignore the talent in East Lansing. The Spartans added two high-end NHL picks in Porter Martone and Cayden Lindstrom, who went sixth (Philadelphia, 2025) and fourth overall (Columbus, 2024) respectively.
Martone racked up 98 points (37-61-98) over 57 games for Brampton (OHL) last season, while Lindstrom had 46 (27-19-46) in 32 games for Medicine Hat (WHL).
The class goes well beyond those two as well. Ryker Lee is coming off a tremendous USHL season and racked up 68 points (31-37—38) in 58 games for Madison. The right-shot forward was named the league’s Rookie of the Year and was picked by Nashville (26th overall) in June. Eric Nilson was the 45th overall pick (Anaheim) after a 38-point season and defenseman Sean Barnhill was a third-round pick (New York Rangers) after a strong USHL showing. Swedish goaltender Melvin Strahl also posted 33 wins and a 2.42 GAA for Youngstown (USHL).
North Dakota
Keaton Verhoeff already ranks among the nation’s top blue line prospects and the 17-year-old is yet to make his NCAA debut. Verhoeff, who just turned 17 in June, stands at 6-foot-4 and can seemingly do it all at both ends of the rink. He put up 45 points over 63 games last season for Victoria (WHL) and is projected to be one of the top picks in the 2026 NHL Draft. Cole Reschny also joins UND from Victoria after a 92-point (26-66—92) season and was taken 18th overall by Calgary.
UND’s class features multiple familiar USHL faces too in Jack Kernan, David Klee, Sam Laurila, Jan Spunar and Will Zellers. Zellers set Green Bay’s franchise record with 44 goals and was named both the USHL Forward and Player of the Year, and the USA Hockey Junior Player of the Year. Zellers’ rights were traded to Boston last March and he’s been one of the Bruins’ top prospects ever since.
Boston University
BU’s 12-man class is full of prospects and draft picks. A pair of NTDP forwards lead the way in Conrad Fondrk and Jack Murtagh, along with NTDP defensemen Carter Amico –- who had his 2024-25 season cut short by an injury -– and Charlie Trethewey. All four were drafted early on day two.
The class also includes BU’s big Major Junior import, right-shot forward Ryder Ritchie, a second-round pick (2024) of the Minnesota Wild, who could be in line for another big year. Ritchie potted 61 points (29-32-61) in 53 games last season for Medicine Hat (WHL)
Next In Line
Penn State
The Nittany Lions landed the nation’s most-prized prospect in Gavin McKenna, along with Luke Misa and defenseman Jackson Smith. Smith was taken 14th overall by Columbus, and McKenna is destined to go first overall next summer. McKenna alone arguably makes Penn State’s class the nation’s best and he’ll certainly be closely watched throughout his freshman season.
Michigan
The Wolverines added several explosive young forwards in Cole McKinney, Malcolm Spence, Aidan Park and Adam Valentini, all of which can find the back of the net. Jack Ivankovic could be one of the nation’s top rookie goaltenders as well after a 25-win season for Brampton (OHL), where he posted a .903 save percentage and 3.05 GAA.
Top 10 Freshmen To Watch
1. Gavin McKenna, F, Penn State
2. Porter Martone, F, Michigan State
3. Keaton Verhoeff, D, North Dakota
4. Cayden Lindstrom, F, Michigan State
5. Will Zellers, F, North Dakota
6. Ryker Lee, F, Michigan State
7. Jackson Smith, D, Penn State
8. Jack Murtagh, F, Boston University
9. Cole McKinney, F, Michigan
10. Ryder Ritchie, F, Boston University
Missed The Mark
Boston College
William Moore headlines the group, but otherwise, BC’s class feels rather underwhelming, at least on paper. Make no mistake, it’s tough to follow up a class that featured James Hagens and Teddy Stiga, among others.
St. Cloud State
Yan Shostak, Nolan Roed and Tanner Henricks had solid USHL seasons, but overall, SCSU’s class sits near the bottom of the NCHC. And it’ll be interesting to see what their upcoming classes hold. As the university itself continues to struggle, some wonder what the future looks like in St. Cloud.
Western Michigan
The Broncos added six freshmen and while Bobby Cowan and Jamison Sluys produced in the USHL, the class doesn’t exactly jump off the page. However, it shouldn’t be an issue for a WMU club that’s coming off a national championship, has plenty of experience and was highly successful in the transfer portal. WMU had one of the nation’s top classes last season too and for those six newcomers, Pat Ferschweiler has certainly shown the ability to develop players.
Keep An Eye On
Arizona State
Greg Powers continues to build his program in Tempe. The Sun Devils welcome an 11-man class highlighted by Jack Beck, Ben Kevan and Lincoln Kuehne, and while there might not be a McKenna or Martone headlining the group, there’s plenty of potential. ASU is looking to once again finish near the top of the NCHC.
Maine
Ben Barr and his staff have done an excellent job, taking Maine from a 7-22-4 record in 2021-22 to a Hockey East tournament title and second consecutive NCAA Tournament last spring. Now they’ve followed it up with one of the nation’s top recruiting classes, which includes 11 players. Miguel Marques had 38 points (14-24-38) in 29 games for Lethbridge (WHL) while Jaden Lipinski had 58 (17-41-58) in 59 games for Vancouver (WHL). The two were drafted by Calgary (4th round) and Nashville (3rd round). Justin Poirier is just one year removed from a QMJHL-leading 51 goals and had 43-37-80 last season, while goaltender Mathis Rousseau brings plenty of QMJHL and even WJC success to Orono.
St. Thomas
The Tommies’ class won’t receive as much national buzz. However, Rico Blasi’s staff put together a solid 10-man class that should be one of the CCHA’s best. Lucas Van Vliet had 50 points for Dubuque (USHL) and Nathan Pilling was voted the CCHA’s Preseason Rookie of the Year after a 67-point WHL season. It’s just the latest sign of the program’s growth as St. Thomas continues its upward trend and prepares to open its new arena next month.