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.
Johnny Conlin (F, L, 5’9”, 165, Youngstown Phantoms, 12/20/2005, Army)
Conlin spent most of his season with the USHL’s Des Moines Buccaneers but was traded to the Youngstown Phantoms for the playoffs. He did not score a single goal over a combined 35 games between the regular season and playoffs, but Conlin will look to bounce back this fall as he heads to the U.S. Military Academy.
Justin Kipkie (D, L, 6’4”, 210, Victoria Royals, 07/28/2005, Arizona State)
Originally selected by the Arizona Coyotes in the 2023 NHL draft, Kipkie heard his name called again by Minnesota in the sixth round of the 2025 NHL draft. Kipkie had 12 goals and 62 points for Victoria last year and heads down to Arizona State for the upcoming season.
NZ scouts noted how offensively minded Kipkie was in a playoff game last season.
“Kipkie was able to show tonight that he is a capable puck moving defenseman, with above average wheels and decent puck skills. He can help establish the offense and break out of the defensive zone, and he can be an asset in transition. His ability to be mobile while also one of the bigger defenseman on the ice is what sets him a part. He is still mistake prone, and doe not always use proper judgement about when to join the rush but at the minimum he creates a push almost every shift. Whether it is a play down the wall in the offensive zone, or skating the puck up the ice by himself, he does a good job at pushing the pace with offense in mind.”
Gavin McKenna (F, L, 6’0”, 166, M edicine Hat Tigers, 09/20/2007, Penn State)
This was the big one. The best prospect in hockey makes the jump from the CHL to the NCAA. McKenna is the projected first-overall pick for the 2026 NHL draft and had an unreal season (41 goals and 129 points in only 56 games) helping Medicine Hat to the WHL championship.
McKenna catches the attention of everyone watching his games.
“Gavin McKenna is a highly skilled forward who excels in creating scoring opportunities through his exceptional vision and pass-making abilities. He has the confidence to weave through defenders with ease, using his speed and agility to create openings on the ice. When faced with pressure, McKenna remains calm and composed, utilizing his stick control to maintain possession. His ability to quickly change direction and speed allows him to evade defenders, making him a formidable opponent in tight spaces. Additionally, McKenna’s strength and physicality enable him to win puck battles against larger opponents, demonstrating a well-rounded skill set that makes him a valuable asset on the ice.”
Cooper Pierson (F, R, 5’8”, 167, Brooks Bandits, 01/06/2005, St. Lawrence)
Pierson split time between the USHL and BCHL this season, doing well in both leagues as well as helping lead the Brooks Bandits to the BCHL championship. A 2021 first-round pick in the USHL, Pierson heads to St. Lawrence in the fall.
Drew Stewart (F, R, 5’7”, 163, Muskegon Lumberjacks, 11/03/2005, Dartmouth College)
Early in the season, Stewart was traded from the USHL’s Cedar Rapids RoughRiders to the Muskegon Lumberjacks, and he ended up being a piece that helped the Lumberjacks to USHL glory. He had 15 goals and 29 points in 2024-25.
NZ scouts complimented Stewart as a skilled forward in a game report.
“Stewart is a smaller, skilled forward who eludes his opponents with his speed and shiftiness. He can make plays at full speed, always making him a threat once he enters into the offensive zone. He made some nifty passes, especially off the rush finding his teammates attacking the net with speed. At times, shied away from the physical play, but still went into corners and the hard area’s when necessary.”
Milo Tian (F, L, 5’10”, 180, Mississauga Chargers, 01/17/2006, Quinnipiac)
The native of Beijing, China will spend another season in the OJHL before making the jump over to the NCAA. Tian was a sixth round draft pick in the 2022 OHL draft but never played a game. He is also a Chinese U20 international.
Teydon Trembecky (F, L, 5’11”, 182, Victoria Royals, 04/28/2005, Michigan Tech)
Trembecky’s explosive year in the WHL (46 goals and 88 points) in 2024-25, made it easy to see why he attracted attention from Div. I schools. Trembecky will be taking his talents to Michigan Tech in the fall.
Trembecky makes it look easy out there against defenseman.
“When he does have the time and space for his creativity to show, he is able to make one on one plays look easy on defenseman that are gapped up ready for the action. He can easily take his game to a different level is more shifts were consistent with the work effort to break pucks out rather than to put them in the back of the net.”
By Sebastian Zucchet
Sebastian Zucchet is a freelance sports reporter from Toronto and someone who deeply enjoys hockey.