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.
Alexandre Blais (F, L, 5’10”, 172, Rimouski Oceanic, 11/14/2005, Connecticut)
Blais’ 20 goals and 73 points were crucial in helping Rimouski reach the QMJHL finals. Blais is an Anaheim Ducks prospect and was drafted in the fourth round in 2024. Blais will join Hockey East’s up and coming powerhouse, the University of Connecticut.
Blais was one of the most skilled playmakers in the QMJHL last season.
“Skill is not short with his game and likes to have the puck on his stick. One of the more trickier players to keep track of without the puck and manage with the puck. He excels on lateral movement and displays his excellent edge work as he utilizes it while on the rush into the offensive zone trying to create space for his teammates. He is able to receive a pass and still maintain momentum as he shifts from his left leg to his right. Blais has the skill to do all this while keeping his hands intact. Whenever he has some speed, his hands and feet are in sync.”
Luca Fasciano (D, R, 6’4”, 205, Lakehead University, 07/10/2003, Michigan Tech)
Fasciano impressed heavily in his first season in Canadian U Sports, so much so that he will head to Michigan Tech to play Div. I hockey next season. Fasciano spent some time in the NAHL with the Corpus Christi IceRays before heading to U Sports and took home OUA all-rookie last season.
In an NAHL game report, NZ scouts were impressed with his defensive abilities.
“Fasciano is a bigger defenseman who has the skating ability to get up and down the ice, he just chooses when he wants to do it. For tonight’s game, he used his skating to keep tighter gaps and was able to close with a long stick on players fumbling looking to make their next play. He made stick-handling plays in his own end that allowed his team to break out easily.”
Landon MacDonald (F, L, 6’2”, 193, Madison Capitals, 08/12/2004, Northern Michigan)
MacDonald split time this season between the BCHL and USHL, although he found more success in B.C. with the Vernon Vipers, recording 13 goals and 21 points. Next season, he will play at Northern Michigan.
Macdonald’s skill and size are key assets to his game.
“His skating is an asset, as he possesses good two-step acceleration and a fast top gear, which allows him to attack time and space when it’s given to him. MacDonald’s hands are incredibly soft for someone who doesn’t appear overly graceful while moving up the ice. He needs to get stronger to play through traffic, as he tends to play on the perimeter too often despite having the size and strength to navigate through the middle of the ice, especially in the offensive zone.”
Miguel Marques (F, R, 5’11”, 186, Lethbridge Hurricanes, 08/03/2006, Maine)
A 2024 third-round pick of the Nashville Predators, Marques leaves Lethbridge and heads over to Maine where he is hoping to have more of a successful season. Marques missed 36 games last season with an upper-body injury.
Marques possesses adequate skills to be able to compete at the highest levels.
“Marques brings a lethal combination of a shoot-first mentality and high-end passing skills, making him a dual-threat that’s difficult for defenders to contain. He displays grit and tenacity along the boards, consistently winning battles and doing whatever it takes to generate offensive chances. Effective both off the rush in 5-on-5 play and on the power play, he leverages his hockey IQ, vision, and powerful shot to create scoring opportunities. While his offensive game shines, his defensive play could still use some fine-tuning to round out his overall skill set.”
Colton Roberts (D, R, 6’4”, 199, Vancouver Giants, 06/08/2006, Colorado College)
A fifth-round pick of the San Jose Sharks and fresh off his best WHL season yet, the big defenseman leaves the WHL and will go to Colorado College to compete in the NCAA.
Roberts has been praised for his creativity as a defenseman.
“By virtue of his more defensive-leaning style of play, he is never really chasing the action or skating in dead heats. Roberts proficiency is displayed by the power he generates with his stride while never sacrificing the fluidity of his motion. The mobility and dexterity of Roberts, not his strength, is why is able to defend and close as quickly as he can. With this being said, offensive is not his strong suit but he can create. Holding on to the puck to create chances in the offensive zone is not something he does often, but moving the puck out of his zone quickly is where he can create his offense. His assists come from transitioning the play.”
Mason West (F, R, 6’6”, 210, Fargo Force, 08/03/2007, Michigan State)
West lit up the Minnesota high-school circuit for his hometown school, Edina High and also got some experience in the USHL with the Fargo Force. West is a prospect for the upcoming NHL draft, slated to play at Michigan State in 2026.
West’s rare size and skill combination make him an interesting pick for any NHL team.
“Mason West is a dual-sport athlete who possesses one of the most intriguing toolkits in the 2025 NHL Draft class. A 6’6”, 210-lb right winger with rare athleticism, West blends raw power, soft hands, and physical presence in a package that remains in the early stages of development. He dominated Minnesota high school hockey this season (49 points in 31 games) and then transitioned to the USHL where he immediately produced nearly a point per game (9 in 10) with Fargo despite limited pro-level polish. The statistical production, paired with what we’ve seen live, paints a clear picture: West is a projectable, toolsy forward with legitimate upside if he can refine his skating, timing, and playmaking under pressure.”
By Sebastian Zucchet
Sebastian Zucchet is a freelance sports reporter from Toronto and someone who deeply enjoys hockey.