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.
Trent Ballentyne (D, R, 6’3, 191, Prince George Spruce Kings, 02/29/2004, Merrimack)
Ballentyne was originally meant to play for Tennessee State, but they aren’t going D1 for another year, so the former QMJHL and BCHL player has decided to go play at Merrimack College instead.
NZ scouts had this evaluation of Ballentyne after a BCHL game last season.
“Ballentyne logs valuable minutes for the Kings, consistently relied upon for his solid defensive play and smart decision-making. He keeps his game simple, avoiding unnecessary risks and focusing on intelligent plays that help his team stay out of trouble. With his big frame, he effectively shuts down opposing teams and plays a physical style in his own end.”
Riley Bassen (F, R, 5’11, 166, Fargo Force, 04/26/2005, Merrimack)
Bassen had a bit of a slow season in the USHL with Fargo last year and is looking to start fresh at Merrimack College this fall.
Nathan Behm (C, R, 6’1, 195, Kamloops Blazers, 04/18/2007, Arizona State)
Behm was drafted in the third round of the 2025 NHL Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks and will return to Kamloops next year. In 2026-27, Behm will play at Arizona State.
Behm is an impressive player who can go out and do damage in the NCAA.
“Nathan Behm is a power forward prospect with an NHL-ready frame and a versatile offensive toolkit. Behm demonstrates strong puck-protection skills, a quick release, and an ability to create offensive opportunities for himself and his linemates from below the goal line. His blend of size, skating, and skill gives him potential at the professional level, but his consistency, defensive effort, details and willingness to engage physically are areas that need to be there every shift for him to maximize his impact.”
Jake Boguniecki (D, R, 6’2, 161, Mid Fairfield Rangers U15 AAA, 04/22/2009, Boston College)
Boguniecki was drafted in the tenth round of the QMJHL draft but will ultimately will play with the NTDP in 2025-26. In 2027, he’ll head to Boston College.
Ashton Bynum (D, L, 6’4, 197, Austin Bruins, 06/25/2004, Brown)
Bynum spent most of 2024-25 with the NAHL’s Austin Bruins – collecting ten goals and 30 points – but he also played a couple games in the USHL last season. He will play at Brown next year.
Bynum is a good solid defenceman who can succeed in the NCAA.
“Bynum is a towering puck-moving defenseman with an easy, fluid stride. He can read the rush well to get his stick in lanes and steer the play out wide with his long reach, then close guys out and prevent passes to the middle of the ice. Ashton always has his eyes up to scan his options and can make guys miss with his wide range in space.”
Xavier Cormier (D, L, 5’10, 155, Bishops College School, 12/08/2008, New Hampshire)
Cormier was drafted to three different leagues for next season (QMJHL, NCDC and MJAHL), but seems most likely to head to the ‘Q’. He will play for the University of New Hampshire in 2028.
If Cormier plays his cards right, he could turn out to be an incredible prospect.
“An elite skater, he moves with speed, agility, and quick, sharp turns, using deceptive footwork and feints to generate offense. His skill set is rare, as he consistently drives play and surprises opponents with his mobility. However, his smaller frame makes him vulnerable in front of the net, and he can be overpowered in physical battles. Along the boards, he generally makes intelligent plays, but the lack of a physical challenge from this particular opponent left questions about his effectiveness against stronger competition. He would greatly benefit from exposure at a higher level, such as the Q Cup, to assess whether his skill translates against elite peers. Despite his smaller stature, he could be an exceptional find for an LHJMQ team willing to refine his defensive game and gamble on a small player with high upside.”
Wyatt Cullen (F, L, 5’9, 152, U.S. National U17 Team, 09/08/2008, Minnesota)
The son of longtime NHLer Matt Cullen, Wyatt has committed to the University of Minnesota for 2026. Next year, he will play for the NTDP U18 Team.
Scouts at the U-17 World Challenge were left entertained by Cullen.
“This left winger was fun to watch with his creative offensive game and dynamic play with the puck. He has excellent vision, making skilled cross-ice passes and finding teammates in scoring positions, including backdoor passes to players in quality shooting lanes. He plays with pace and has the ability to change direction and adjust his angles/pace.”
Brooks Cullen (F, L, 6’1, 190, Moorhead High, 09/13/2006, Minnesota)
Another son of Matt Cullen, Brooks will join his brother Wyatt at the University of Minnesota in 2026. Cullen played ten games in the USHL this year after a solid season of Minnesota high-school hockey.
Cullen was evaluated during the Minnesota high-school hockey tournament.
“Cullen is a high-percentage playmaker, capable of making skillful touches on the puck, drawing defenders in, and then tapping it around them to maintain possession. His shot is a powerful missile, released with relative ease and a quality snap that reaches netminders quickly. An understated aspect of Cullen’s game is his faceoff ability; he was relied upon for every crucial draw, winning them with purpose. He demonstrated the vision to find his teammates’ blades in scoring areas and could break out of the cycle to deliver a sharp pass through the slot. He is always prepared to shoot but values possessing the puck to create threatening scoring plays in the offensive zone’s final third.”
Ian Engel (D, L, 6’0, 186, Bismarck Bobcats, 05/13/2004, North Dakota)
Engel had four solid seasons with Bismarck in the NAHL, but since he’s aging out, it’s time for him to move onto North Dakota. He was an NAHL champion in his final season.
With Engel’s size and experience, he may slot in well at NoDak.
“Engle is a smart player with great skating abilities. He is an asset in transition and can help a team dramatically with zone exits. He is not the most physically intimidating defender, but he is a very refined defensive product and can be trusted to kill penalties and weather tough defensive assignments. He is a bit of a choppy skater but has the speed to get around the perimeter untouched. He will get up in the play almost every time, whether he understands there are opponents behind him or not. He is fast, though, and like most offensive defencemen, wants to make something happen every time, sometimes having tunnel vision and missing the passes that matter.”
Grayson Espenshade (F, R, 5’8, 143, WB/Scranton U15 AAA, 02/14/2009, Yale)
Espenshade had a good season in AAA, recording 47 points in 40 games. Next season, he will play at the Salisbury School, but the talented player will head to Yale in 2028.
Espenshade did quite well at a USA U16 camp but still has time to work on his game.
“Espenshade played a versatile, intelligent, and high-compete game, finishing National Camp with one assist. He consistently found soft areas in the offensive zone, showed excellent vision with the puck, and was a reliable outlet option in all three zones. His ability to adjust his positioning mid-play and create space made him a consistent passing option. His quick first step, agility, and deceptive speed allowed him to separate from defenders or backcheckers and attack off the rush. Espenshade handled the puck with poise, used creative one-touch passes to distribute in traffic, and displayed strong defensive stick work to strip pucks and create turnovers. He proved effective on the power play and penalty kill and wanted the puck in key moments. However, his smaller frame and developing offensive toolkit limited his overall impact at times, and there were stretches where he lacked consistent purpose with the puck, forcing low-percentage plays in the gray areas or by driving wide, only to be pinched off in the corner with no options. Despite that, his effort, puck intelligence, and ability to make timely, effective reads make him a reliable all-situations forward with upside if he continues to add strength and power. Grayson was shifty and gritty, and with added strength, he will be tough to handle. He will play at the Salisbury School next season, where his game is expected to flourish.”
Brayden Gillespie (G, R, 5’11, 155, Brampton Steelheads, 0723/2005, Union College)
Gillespie split last season with the OHL’s Guelph Storm and Brampton Steelheads. He only saw three playoff games last season, but during the regular season, he had good performances. He will play at Union College this fall.
Brandon Gorzynski (F, L, 6’2, 187, Calgary Hitmen, 03/12/2007, Arizona State)
Gorzynski was a first-round pick in the 2022 WHL draft and was selected by Dallas Stars in the 2025 NHL draft. Gorzynski will play a third season in the WHL with the Hitmen before going to Arizona State in 2026.
A big player, Gorzynski’s offensive growth is reported to be steady.
“Brandon Gorzynski is a big-bodied forward with solid two-way instincts and defensive reliability, but his lack of finishing ability, lack of physical edge, and puck management issues could prevent him from being drafted. His steady offensive growth and size make him intriguing, but unless he adds more strength, improves his shot, and becomes a more physical presence, he may be a better candidate for an AHL/ECHL development route rather than an immediate NHL draft selection in his first year of NHL draft eligibility.”
Diego Gutierrez (D, R, 6’1, 176, Shattuck St. Mary’s U16 AAA, 05/13/2009, Notre Dame)
Gutierrez had 35 assists at Shattuck last season and will play for the NTDP next year. In 2027, he will go play at Notre Dame. He was a second-round pick of the Prince Albert Raiders in the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft.
Gutierrez displayed leadership mentality at an NTDP evaluation camp.
“He’s as complete a player as there is at the camp. He’s got the size, the skating, the defensive awareness, the puck play and instincts to be a top pair defender for this team. He has proven himself this year against older and stronger competition and has the versatility to play anywhere in the lineup at the next level. He’s the type of player a coach trusts at the end of a game up or down a goal; he’s got a leader’s mentality and despite being sick was able to muster enough to go out there this week and contain the top forwards in the country.”
Luke Hause (D, L, 6’4, 180, Kenai River Brown Bears, 03/24/2004, Long Island University)
Hause had a fairly strong season last year with Kenai River in the NAHL, putting up eight goals and 20 assists. Next year, he will play at Long Island University.
In an NAHL evaluation, Hause had an up and down game but was overall a good player.
“Luke Hause is a puck-moving defenseman for Kenai River who had a game full of ups and downs. He is tall and broad-shouldered with decent mobility in open space. Hause consistently showed smart passing while in motion in the attacking zone. He was a key part of the Kenai offense, firing long passes while shifting around the blue line. Hause also excelled at getting quick passes out of the defensive zone. His main issue was carrying the puck, as he had it stolen while trying to move up the ice. He had another turnover later when he lost the puck while weaving through the neutral zone. At times, he tended to hurry and didn’t always take care to safely gather the puck. Hause is an aging-out defenseman with a lot of upside as a fluid, accurate passer, but he struggled with puck handling tonight.”
Luca Jarvis (F, R, 6’0, 180, Stillwater High, 11/15/2008, Minnesota)
Jarvis is another Minnesota native who has committed to their home-state school. Jarvis had 24 goals and 48 points in 30 games playing high-school and will play for the Youngstown Phantoms next season.
Jarvis is underrated and looking to make a name for himself.
“He’s a smooth skater – has a soft set of hands and can slow the game down – poised, controlled and smart. An underrated prospect who should be in the mix here for the Hlinka roster.”
Ollie Josephson (F, L, 6’0, 179, Red Deer Rebels, 07/22/2006, North Dakota)
Josephson had a decent couple seasons in the WHL, but it seems it’s time for a change of scenery for him. Next year, he will play at North Dakota. Josephson is also a prospect of the Seattle Kraken.
Josephson is a versatile forward who can excel at the Div. 1 level.
“Josephson has the ability to control the game and dictate the flow when he has the puck. He is a smart player who makes simple, yet effective decisions, allowing his team to drive toward the offensive zone. His strong hockey sense enables him to read plays without the puck, which helps him intercept passes and disrupt the opposition’s flow. His high IQ, combined with his skill set, makes him a versatile forward capable of playing well at both ends of the ice, while also contributing offensively.”
Seamus Latta (F, L, 5’11, 185, Victoria Grizzlies, 04/08/2005, Princeton)
Latta had a good season in the BCHL and will look to continue his offensive form at Princeton next season. He had 13 goals and 31 points.
Brian Lonergan (D, R, 5’11, 171, Omaha Lancers, 12/28/2005, Bowling Green)
Lonergan had a decent season in the USHL and will play at Bowling Green this fall. He was drafted into the USHL once and NAHL twice.
NZ scouts in a USHL evaluation had some criticisms and praises for Lonergan.
“Lonergan wants to push the pace but his stick and puck work did not match his brain a lot of the time. His energy and skating can breakdown forechecks but a lot of his game ended before his team entered the neutral zone. He plays physical for his size and makes it hard for smaller opponents to control ice in the offensive zone.”
Jacob Mathieu (F, L, 5’11, 196, Rimouski Oceanic, 05/05/2004, Northeastern)
Mathieu has had a goal-filled career with Rimouski and led the QMJHL playoffs in goals and points with 17 and 31, respectively. Next year, he will go play at Northeastern.
Mathieu really took the playoffs by storm this season, and will look to keep that up next year.
“Mathieu’s game highlights his ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities, particularly from behind the defense. He effectively uses his vision to create space in the offensive zone and becomes a reliable target for one-timer shots or simple attempts on net. However, when advancing on the rush, he struggles with pace, often forcing plays into the middle or slowing down to wait for support. This can give opponents ample time to recover and neutralize the attack.”
Blake McMeniman (G, L, 5’9, 160, Kimball Union Prep, 02/28/2007, Army)
McMeniman had a .919 save percentage with Kimball this past year and will play at Army in 2026.
McMeniman is a strong goalie with room to grow.
“McMeniman is a smaller but athletic left-catching goalie. The 2007-born netminder is agile and mobile, using his body and feet effectively to see around screens and track pucks. He is aggressive in cutting down angles, consistently challenging shooters to limit their options. He is active in supporting his defensemen, frequently leaving the net to retrieve pucks and making accurate passes to his teammates. He places pucks in smart areas on retrievals, helping his team maintain possession. Overall, he gives his team a strong chance to win.”
Freddy Meyer (D, L, 5’10, 165, The Rivers School, 10/16/2007, Boston University)
Meyer, a likely option for the USHL this fall, committed to Boston University for 2027.
Meyer impressed while playing in the 18U National Tournament with the Boston Jr. Eagles.
“Meyer is an average-sized, left-handed defenseman. He contributed to each shift on the defensive side by consistently battling for pucks, showing good gap control, having an active stick, and displaying good defensive awareness. Meyer moves well in all directions, which allows him to cover extended areas of ice. He showed good mobility, balance, and strength to take away time and space from opponents. He showed physical presence when needed and overall just limited opportunities for the opponents. Meyer’s game was simple and steady, with good outlet passes and getting the puck in deep to start the forecheck. He did not reach the scoresheet over the six games, although he played a valuable role in helping the Jr. Eagles make it to the championship game.”
Carter Meyer (F, L, 6’1, 170, The Rivers School, 04/10/2009, Boston University)
Son of NHL veteran Freddy Meyer, Carter was on fire for The Rivers School last season. In 28 games, he had 41 goals and 70 points. Meyer was a first-round pick in the 2025 QMJHL draft (Quebec Remparts) and will go to Boston University in 2027.
Meyer is a great forward with top-level potential.
“Meyer has a bullet release on his snap shot and he can make subtle pull and drag moves to change the shot angle and makes his release more deceptive. He isn’t all flash – he plays the game the right way – stops on pucks plays the body competes for pucks – is excellent at lifting sticks and stealing pucks along the boards and won a high percentage of his faceoffs. A strong and balanced skater – who dictates the pace of play when he’s on the ice with straight line speed to beat defenders wide with speed or he can slow it down, regroup in the neutral zone – find soft ice and make plays in space.”
Bastien Michaud (D, R, 6’3, 185, Bishops College School, 05/02/2009, New Hampshire)
Michaud was drafted by the Quebec Remparts in the second round of the 2025 QMJHL draft and will head to UNH in 2028.
Michaud has great potential.
“Michaud is a tall 6 ‘3″, 185-pound right-shooting defenseman. He is an excellent skater for his size, blending strong speed, balance, and edge control with quick directional shifts. Michaud confidently carries the puck from his defensive zone to initiate offense, demonstrating above-average puck control and handling. His size and reach make it difficult for opponents to pass him, and he effectively pins players along the boards. Offensively, he makes precise passing plays and possesses a hard shot from the blue line.”
Daniel Moor (G, L, 6’2, 188, Omaha Lancers, 01/17/2006, Princeton)
Moor joins Princeton after a decent year with Omaha in the USHL. He posted a 4.93 goals- against average and an .872 save percentage.
Moor will battle with Morris (listed below) for the number-one spot at Princeton.
“Daniel Moor is a skilled goaltender with a condensed and fluid movement style that stems from an athletic base. He is able to balance on his edges, move with power, and control rebounds effectively. His hands and chest don’t provide static balance, but he compensates by using his athleticism to stay balanced and poised in the crease. Moor’s hip mobility allows him to track pucks well and make big saves, although he can be slightly slow to gain and lose depth. He shows good composure and control, taking frequent scans and shoulder checks to ensure a calm game.”
Brady Morris (G, L, 5’10, 160, Taft School, 02/01/2006, Princeton)
Morris had a .925 save percentage with the Taft School last season and will play for Princeton in the fall.
Morris was evaluated by NZ scouts in a prep-school showcase and impressed.
“Morris was one of the smaller goalies we scouted during the weekend, but he was also one of the most effective for Taft. The incoming senior has been there, and seen that at the prep level and it showed this weekend as he was locked in from the opening puck drop and allowed his team to stay in each game despite taking on a barrage of shots. He showed great poise even though he was having to make regular adjustments and read shots through heavy traffic. He was calm, cool and collected on the breakaway and didn’t flinch before the shooter had telegraphed where he was going with the puck. We questioned in our PLPG video if he had to be checked for a pulse, he was so even-keeled here. He was quick to recognize where shots were coming from and he had a plan to cover the ground he needed to laterally. He moved smoothly around the cage and he hit his spots accurately and on time. He was quick to cover pucks in the crease which meant fewer second chance opportunities. His reaction times were very good and his leg/pad extension was excellent, shutting down back door chances with relative ease. His ability to stay on his toes and make those adjustments was frustrating shooters as many of them looked up to rafters wondering what they had to do to beat him. He will be on our list as one of the top senior goalies this year in prep hockey, he looked ready for the regular season this weekend.”
Charlie Murata (F, R, 5’11, 172, Don Mills Flyers U16 AAA, 02/15/2009, Michigan State)
Murata hit the 50-goal mark in the GTHL this season, and he helped lead the Don Mills Flyers to the OHL Cup finals. Murata went to the Flint Firebirds with the eighth-overall pick and will go play at Michigan State in 2028.
Murata thoroughly impressed NZ scouts in an evaluation at the OHL Cup.
“Throughout the OHL Cup, Charlie showcased his strong skating, shot, and puck skills. Regarding his skating, he was quick and agile. Charlie possessed an explosive first step due to his quick feet and stride. This allowed him to control the pace of play and generated numerous odd-man rushes. Charlie could effectively utilize both his inside and outside edges. At full speed, Charlie could change direction while maintaining puck possession. This made him difficult to defend against on the rush, and he consistently controlled the game’s tempo. Looking at his shot, it was deceptive. Charlie consistently executed a deceptive push-pull release, frequently changing the angle of his shot and catching opponents off guard. Charlie utilized numerous head fakes that opened up shooting lanes, allowing him to attack those openings. This was noticeable against the Toronto Jr. Canadiens. Regarding his puck skills, Charlie had quick hands, enabling him to maneuver around multiple opponents in transition and advance play up the ice. Charlie controlled the puck with confidence, and his puck protection was strong. Opponents had difficulty taking the puck from him, as his combination of quickness and strength with the puck made it tough for them to get their sticks on it. Charlie recorded 1 goal and 7 assists for 8 points in 7 games. Overall, Charlie showcased his dynamic two-way game at the OHL Cup.”
Marton Nemes (F, L, 6’2, 198, Mora IK, 10/23/2005, Bentley)
Nemes, who hails from Szekesfehervar, Hungary, played in Sweden last season, while also suiting up for Hungary internationally. Next season, he will make the trek to North America and play for Bentley.
Jaxon Pisani (D, L, 6’0, 165, St. Albert Raiders U18 AAA, 03/30/2009, Providence)
Pisani was exactly a point-per-game player in U18 AAA and will play for the Everett Silvertips next season. In 2027, he will go to Providence.
NZ scouts think he can excel in the WHL next season.
“Jaxon is an effective two-way defender with the potential to step into the WHL next season.”
Rene Van Bommel (F, L, 5’11, 184, London Knights, 05/14/2006, Lake Superior)
Van Bommel played with the London Knights last season after some time in the GOJHL and will continue there next season before heading off to Lake Superior State in 2027.
Although he lacks size, Van Bommel’s work ethic really stands out.
“He is a bit undersized, and while he brings effort and grit to every shift he plays on, he simply is not a physical player, nor is he a strong enough asset defensively to give him value in a shut down situation in his own end. His work ethic though is different and he will not quit on a play.”
Jayden Veney (D, L, 6’7, 222, Chilliwack Chiefs, 08/02/2005, Army)
The big defenceman split time between the USHL and BCHL last season. This fall, he will head back stateside and play for the Youngstown Phantoms before heading to Army in 2026.
Veney was assessed by NZ scouts during a USHL game.
“Veney was able to show tonight that he can be a physical presence in his own zone. His skating is definitely something that needs work on, as his game is so reliant on puck moving. He is solid good in his own zone, cutting angles for passes, but at times, he does have trouble defending one on one rushes, usually versus smaller and more agile forwards. He will not use the body a lot for big impacts, but he will try to push around attackers to make them lose balance. has the ability to skate pucks out of trouble from deep in his zone but he showed he is a pass first player. He has the awareness to chip the play to open space when under pressure. Defensively, he is not shy about finishing his check and taking the play to the net. He will stick to his guy, maybe a couple seconds after the whistle as well. His long reach assists with keeping his check to the perimeter in his zone.”
Bradley Whang (F, R, 5’8, 169, Shattuck St. Mary’s U15 AAA, 05/06/2009, Yale)
Whang was incredible for Shattuck last season, collecting 40 goals and 121 points in 61 games. He was drafted by the Brampton Steelheads in the 14th round of the 2025 OHL Priority Selection and will play at Yale in 2028.
Whang is impressive and it will be interesting to follow his progression over the next few years.
“He’s a strong, balanced skater who protects the puck well using his edges and can generate clean zone entries and scoring chances when there is little time and space. Whang has a quick, accurate release and the poise to change the shooting angle when a defender is in his face. He plays with his head up, adjusts the pace of play effectively, and was engaged in all three zones. While not a burner, he’s mobile enough to be effective in traffic and competes hard on the puck. He shoots the puck well, even with a smaller frame, as he releases his shots quickly and can change the release point with his soft hands. Whang could show more commitment to the defensive side of the puck, as he appears to be used to getting fed the puck quickly in transition rather than focusing on correct body positioning, winning puck battles, and causing turnovers. Continued focus on discipline in his own end and adding another gear to his stride will round out an already impressive offensive toolkit.”
Logan Wilson (F, L, 5’9, 179, Ottawa Valley Titans U16 AAA, 07/14/2009, St. Lawrence)
Wilson helped lead the Ottawa Valley Titans to a league championship and the OHL Cup, putting up five goals and nine points in five games. In his local league, he recorded 17 points in nine playoff games.
NZ scouts reported that Wilson had a good OHL Cup by using his skill and IQ.
“Wilson is a small but skilled forward who can create for his team in transition. He did a good job gathering speed, using his acceleration and diving into open lanes as they opened up. Whether it was driving through the middle or beating a defender wide, he showed an array of ways he could get the puck into the offensive zone. Wilson was also not afraid to let his shot off, showing an ability to get it off in stride and had a couple of good chances off the rush throughout the tournament. If the puck found its way into the corner, he did not hesitate to jump in as the first man or support his teammates, looking to initiate contact and separate players from puck, and he won his fair share of battles at both ends. With the puck near the slot, Wilson did a good job drawing players into his space and dishing off, finding players with a quick, accurate pass. Wilson had tools that would make him an attractive player for OHL teams.”
Declan Wotton (F, L, 6’0, 207, Seacoast Performance Academy U15, 05/16/2009, Cornell)
The 16-year-old played really well last season with Seacoast Performance, putting up 46 goals and 86 points in 55 games. He was drafted by the Baie-Comeau Drakkar in the fourth round of the 2025 QMJHL Entry Draft and will go to Cornell in 2028.
Wotton worked hard and played well at a USA camp this summer.
“Declan is a physically imposing 6 ‘0″, 207-pound, left-shot forward who plays a heavy, north-south power game and looks most comfortable on his off-wing. He finished the National Camp with three goals and one assist, with all his points coming in the final two games. He scored two goals against Team Grey. The first was a sensational individual effort: he stole a pass in the neutral zone, took off, and drove past the defenseman, through contact with speed, to the net. There, he quickly went from forehand to backhand for a slick score. Wotton then came across the formation on an offensive zone face-off win, deked a player, and powered a backhand into the net. He was a consistent offensive presence who used his strength, reach, and body positioning to create space, protect the puck, and make plays both off the rush and below the dots. Wotton is strong on his skates, battles through contact with his eyes up, and thrives around the net, where he battles for second-chance opportunities by using anything possible to get his stick blade on the puck. He showed “second layer” vision, displaying soft sauce and touch on passes under pressure. His shot is heavy and high, with a quick release that he uses effectively from a distance and in stride. Wotton’s motor and puck pursuit stand out, and he looks to initiate contact, winning puck battles and forcing turnovers with physicality. However, his stride remains a developmental area as it can get choppy late in shifts, and he is still gaining lateral agility, which, until improved, will limit his separation ability at higher levels. Despite that, his power-forward toolkit, work ethic, and offensive instincts give him legitimate upside.”
by Sebastian Zucchet
Sebastian Zucchet is a freelance sports reporter from Toronto and someone who deeply enjoys hockey.