With Neutral Zone being the go-to place to stay up to date with commitments around the hockey world, here is the latest installment of players who have committed to the NCAA and CHL:
NCAA
Quinn McKenzie (F, R, 5’8″, 155, Pittsburgh Penguins Elite U16, 11/28/2007, Penn State)
McKenzie, a product of North Potomac, Md., played for the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite 16U last season, collecting 54 points in 39 games.
Ranked a 3.75 star prospect, McKenzie was described as an elite skater:
“He’s an elite skater with elite edges. He’s so shifty he can slip through traffic without being touched. He has a high IQ, and his puck decisions were fantastic. Quinn was able to get pucks up ice effectively, beating players with his feet or funneling pucks around defenders.”
Cooper Anderson (D, L, 6’3″, 185, Aberdeen Wings, 03/14/2006, Quinnipiac)
Scheduled to suit up for the Aberdeen Wings (NAHL) next season, Anderson played for Elk River/Zimmerman High in 2023-24 where he scored 10 goals and added 20 assists for 30 points in 31 games.
Anderson was described as a defenseman who can contribute at both ends of the ice:
“The big left-shot defenseman had a nice showing at the tournament, being a nice source of offense from the blueline while also playing quality defense. Anderson moved the puck out of the defensive zone in a hurry, making crisp outlets, and then quickly followed the play up ice. Cooper demonstrated good gap control and was quick to assist teammates in battles on the boards.”
Ryder Fetterolf (G, L, 5’11”, 180, Gilmour Academy, 01/05/2008, Penn State)
Fetterolf was an important piece for Gilmour Academy last season, posting a 2.63 GAA and a .915 SV% in 41 appearances.
Given a star rating of 3.5, Fetterolf was described as a compact and agile goalie by NZ scouts:
“Ryder Fetterolf, a compact yet agile goalie, flaunts rapid reflexes and swift recovery after shots. His adept power sliding between posts enhances his crease coverage. Confidently moved the puck to his defensemen. His combination of agility and strategic playmaking elevates his impact reflecting a promising netminder with the potential to thwart opponents effectively.”
Danick St. Pierre (F, L, 6’1″, 164, Seacoast Performance Academy U16, 05/13/2008, Yale)
A member of Seacoast Performance Academy 15U last season, St. Pierre scored 31 goals and added 31 assists for 62 points in 67 games.
Ranked a 3.5 star prospect, St. Pierre was described as a skilled forward with smooth hands:
“St. Pierre is a bigger skilled forward that has smooth hands but is able to play a power game when needed. With his pure size he can lean into guys but prefers to use his hands to dangle and create space. He showed the ability to create but lacked the execution to generate much offense.”
Henry Sampair (D, L, 5’8″, 165, Long Island Gulls U16, 09/05/2007, Maine)
Committed to Maine for 2026, Sampair suited up for the Long Island Gulls 16U this past season.
Ranked a 3.75 star prospect, Sampair was described as a defender who reads the play well:
“Henry reads the play well and has good vision making it easy for him to find open players for passes. Henry makes use of good angle techniques to push players on the opposing team to the boards allowing him to gain control of the puck. Henry does well defending the blue line while pinching on opposing players and keeping the puck low in the offensive zone.”
Nathan Chorlton (F, L, 5’8″, 161, Cretin-Derham Hall HS, 06/18/2008, Colorado College)
Having played for Cretin-Durham Hall last season, Chorlton had 14 goals and 22 assists for 36 points in 31 regular season games.
Ranked as a 4.25 star prospect, Chorlton was lauded for his quick release:
“He has a quick release and shoots to score with his head up to breakdown the goalie, and he was an even better distributor of the puck, especially off the rush where he sauced passes and went behind the back to feed the slot area. He’s undersized, but it didn’t deter him here because of his shifty footwork and quick change of direction, making him hard to contain, especially in open ice. He walked defenders, spun off checks, and was able to separate in just a few steps. Chorlton is clever, he makes smart reads, knows how to break down defenders, and if they cross their feet or get overextended, how to expose them.”
Connor Towle (G, L, 6’2″, 176, Hotchkiss School, 03/27/2006, Holy Cross)
While playing for Hotchkiss School in 2023-24, Towle posted a 2.66 GAA and a .930 SV%. Towle will return to Hotchkiss in 2024-25 and will serve as their captain.
Given a star rating of 3.25, Towle was described as a long goalie who plays a calm game:
“Connor is a long goalie who plays a calm and collected game. He played in three games at the tournament and gave his team a chance to win each time out on the ice. He stays square to the shooter and cuts down angles well. He moves his feet and body to track pucks and get side to side. He was solid tracking shots from the point and did a good job seeing through screens.”
WHL
Niilopekka Muhonen (D, L, 6’4″, 194, Medicine Hat Tigers, 02/28/2006)
Drafted by the Tigers in the first round of the 2024 CHL Import Draft, Muhonen joins the team after spending last season with KalPa U20 in Finland. In 27 regular season games, he scored four goals and added seven assists for 11 points.
Ranked a four star prospect, Muhonen was ranked 62nd overall on NZ’s Top 300 list for the 2024 NHL Draft.
Veeti Vaisanen (D, L, 6’0″, 165, Medicine Hat Tigers, 02/15/2006)
The Tigers’ second round selection in the 2024 CHL Import Draft, Vaisanen spent last season playing for KooKoo in Finland’s top pro circuit. In 50 regular season games, he collected two goals and eight assists for 10 points.
Ranked a 4.25 star prospect, Vaisanen was ranked 38th overall on NZ’s final ranking for the 2024 NHL Draft.
Adam Kral (D, R, 6’2″, 180, Swift Current Broncos, 02/08/2006)
Hailing from Havlickuv Brod, Czechia, Kral joins the Broncos after spending the majority of the 2023-24 season with Bili Tygri Liberec U20. Having gotten into 50 regular season games with the team, Kral collected 19 points.
Given a star rating of 3.75, Kral was described as a defender who can shut down the opposition in his own zone:
“He showed an upright knee over toe skating posture with fluid three quarter length strides that we feel will get longer as he gains core and lower body strength. Defensively he ended the cycle by pinning his man to the wall and when an opposing forward had established net front positioning Kral used a well placed cross check and leg drive to clear the lane.”
QMJHL
Basile Sansonnens (D, L, 6’4″, 196, Rimouski Oceanic, 08/19/2006)
A Vancouver Canucks prospect, Sansonnens joins the Oceanic after playing for Gotteron U20 (Switzerland) in 2023-24. In 40 games played, he score one goal and added two assists for three points.
Ranked a four star prospect, Sansonnens was described as a defensive-minded defender:
“Sansonnens is a long left shot defensive minded defender with an upright skating posture and long stride who is still developing his on ice explosiveness and quickness. Positionally he is sound and showed the patience to not get caught leaning or looking to make the highlight hit. In the defensive zone he was strong through contact while having the strength to pin his man to the wall after contact or the inside edge drive to clear shooting lanes.”
Liam Arsenault (F, L, 5’8″, 160, Acadie-Bathurst Titan, 11/26/2008)
Drafted by the Titan in the first round of the 2024 QMJHL Entry Draft, Arsenault suited up for the Kensington Wild U18 last season. In 33 games, he collected 15 goals and 34 assists for 49 points.
Given a four star rating, Arsenault was given praise for his offensive skills:
“Liam’s acceleration is excellent which he effectively uses on rushes and backchecks. During a game against Sydney, he demonstrated great creativity and offensive instincts by floating to the point with the puck before threading a pass down low to a teammate that led to a goal and him picking up an assist on the play.”
OHL
Charlie Hotles (F, R, 6’1″, 172, North York Rangers U16, 07/05/2008)
Drafted by the Niagara IceDogs in the sixth round of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection, Hotles played for the North York Rangers U16 last season. In 65 games with the team, he collected 23 goals and 36 assists for 59 points.
Given a 3.75 star rating, Hotles was described as a puck winner:
“This lanky right-shot centre was a puck-winner on his line and a key catalyst in their offence. He showed good energy in both viewings and used his reach and size to create havoc with his forecheck. He played 200 feet and supported pucks along the walls and in the corners. He was never far from the puck and gave his teammates an option to start the give-and-go in all zones when needed.”
Filip Ekberg (LW, L, 5’10”, 165, Ottawa 67s, 04/14/2007)
A highly ranked prospect for the 2025 NHL Draft, Ekberg joins the 67’s after being drafted in the first round of the 2024 CHL Import Draft. Having played for Almtuna IS U20 last season, he had 29 points in 33 games.
Graded as a 4.5 star prospect, Ekberg was lauded for his quickness and agility:
“His agility and quickness in the first three steps allow him to burst into the offensive zone and win foot races to loose pucks. However, his playmaking prowess is perhaps his most impressive attribute. In one notable instance, he maneuvered between two Canadian defensemen, drawing a penalty as they brought him down. Even from the ice, he managed to bat the puck over to an open linemate who capitalized on the scoring chance.”
Keagan Knight (D, 6’1″, 165, Erie Otters, 2007)
Knight, a 2023 seventh round pick of the Otters, joins the team after spending the 2023-24 season with the GOJHL’s Pelham Panthers. In 41 games played, he collected 18 points.
Nathan Gaymes (RW, R, 5’11”, 165, Windsor Spitfires, 02/03/2006)
A product of Brampton, Ont., Gaymes was selected in the 15th round of the 2022 OHL Priority Selection by the Spitfires. Having suited up for the GOJHL’s LaSalle Vipers last year, he collected 34 points in 46 regular season games.
Given a 3.5 star rating, Gaymes was described as a player who plays with heart and integrity:
“Not only does this player have a huge heart, but he also has integrity and plays with respect. He is proving more and more to me that he has what it takes to play with the best in this league but that he is a true leader. Tonight, he never quit once from the beginning to the end of each shift carrying that until the end of the game.”
Noah Gaudet-Barton (D, R, 6’2″, 180, Oshawa Generals U16, 10/16/2008)
Drafted by the Colts in the second round of this year’s OHL Priority Selection, Gaudet-Barton played for the Oshawa Generals U16 team this past year. In 72 games played, he put up 17 points.
Gaudet-Barton was described by NZ scouts as someone with raw skill and high upside:
“This late-birthday right-shot defender continues to show moments of raw skill and high upside. His size, speed, and power make him a player to watch. Skating forward in a straight line is where he is most noticeable with his quick first stride and explosiveness. He is physical and uses his size/reach effectively along the walls and in front of the net.”
Brody Najim (F, L, 5’9″, 145, Cushing Academy, 07/16/2008)
A 2024 sixth round pick of the Saginaw Spirit, Najim played for the Lambton Jr. Sting U16 this past season. In 28 regular season games, he scored 18 goals and added 17 assists for 35 points.
Ranked a 3.5 star prospect, Najim was lauded for his ability to find players through seams with the puck:
“Against Waterloo, he had a hat trick and set the tone early, timing his movement through the neutral zone, hitting seams wide open, and finishing 2 breakaway goals with different dekes that left the crowd in awe.”
Sammy DiBlasi (G, R, 6’3″, 180, Detroit Little Caesars U16, 01/13/2007)
A 2023 ninth round pick by the Spirit, DiBlasi played for Detroit Little 16U in 2023-24, posting a 1.96 GAA and a .890 SV% in 25 appearances.
Given a star rating of 3.75, DiBlasi was described as a tall, long athletic goalie:
“This was our first viewing of DiBlasi, a tall, long, athletic goalie out of Biggby in Michigan but he had a strong showing here that really caught our attention. He is well positioned and stays square to the shooter and will fight through traffic in front to track the puck. He was able to face multiple shots in a row with quick pop up and recovery and resets and extended the pad on rebounds to make great second effort saves.”
Liam Campbell (F, L, 5’9″, 149, Quinte Red Devils U16, 10/22/2008)
Drafted by the Spirit in the seventh round of this year’s draft, Campbell played for the Quinte Red Devils U16 where he put up 47 points in 29 games.
Ranked a 3.75 star prospect, Campbell was described as a forward who is not afraid of traffic:
“We are seeing improvement in his overall skill level, his pace in transition, and his puck handling as he plays with better players. He was noticeable 5-on-5 and on the power play with his good net presence and his willingness to pursue pucks in the offensive zone. He is not afraid of traffic and was a key puck-winner on Quinte’s top line. He competed well without the puck and was effective at playing the body to soften up defenders and force turnovers.”
Blake Barnes (D, R, 5’10”, 170, Lambton Jr. Sting U16, 05/14/2008)
Another 2024 sixth round pick of the Spirit, Barnes played for the Lambton Jr. Sting U16, collecting two goals and 10 assists for 12 points in 21 games.
Given a star rating of 3.5, Barnes was described as a confident puck carrier:
“He is extremely confident with the puck and plays with his head up, allowing him to move the puck as soon as needed. Barnes made a great stretch pass to Najim to send him in on a breakaway that led to a 1-0 Jr. Sting lead 40 seconds into the game.”
Jordan Perrier (F, L, 5’10”, 165, Ottawa Valley Titans U16, 07/02/2008)
Drafted by the 67’s in the third round of this year’s draft, Perrier played for the Ottawa Valley Jr. Titans in 2023-24. In 29 games, he had 16 goals and 28 assists for 44 points.
Given a star rating of 4.25, Perrier was lauded as being one of the smoothest skaters in his age group:
“Perrier is one of the smoothest skaters in the age group and can generate pace quickly in transition. When he got going with the puck in transition, he was very difficult to handle through the neutral zone.”
Manuel Raposo Amado (F, L, 6’2″, 178, London Jr. Knights U16, 02/04/2008)
Drafted by the Steelheads in the 13th round of this year’s draft, Amado played for the London Jr. Knights U16, collecting 22 points in 28 games.
Amado was described by NZ scouts as a tall smart forward with a power element to his game:
“Amado is a tall, smart center who has a power element to his game. He supports the defensemen when they are in their own zone, taking smart routes to support them under pressure. He was effective in transition as well, keeping his head up and finding teammates in open space with a quick, hard pass.”
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling