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.
Lirim Amidovski (F, R, 6’1, 180, North Bay Battalion, 12/22/2006, Connecticut)
A 2025 fourth-round pick of the Minnesota Wild, Amidovski had his best season in the OHL last year. He will get the chance to continue to hone his game before he heads to the UConn in 2026.
In an OHL game evaluation, Amidovski caught the attention of NZ scouts.
“Lirim has caught our eye with his no nonsense up and down workmanlike play and ability to get around the ice, with or without the puck. This is Lirim’s draft year and he looked like a player of interest and he could help himself by playing a defensive first style of play and then counter punching with his good snap shot when he gets his chance to shoot.”
Nathan Amidovski (F, L, 6’2, 173, Ottawa 67s, 04/08/2008, Connecticut)
Nathan, the younger brother of Lirim, will join him at the University of Connecticut in 2027. Nathan was a 2024 first-round pick in the OHL.
Amidovski has good upside but will look to improve on his game in his second season.
“Shows flashes of puck skills with some decent offensive play support via ok handling, short passing, and basic vision in the offensive zone. As his game matures we look forward to growth in his compete level (hustle, motor, and urgency/intensity) to improve his effectiveness and reactivity in his own zone. Below average skating in terms of a shorter choppier stride with limited extension, and an awkward push-off that reduced his overall acceleration.”
Cole Burke (F, R, 6’2, 183, Fairbanks Ice Dogs, 02/18/2004, Michigan State)
Burke had his best offensive season in the NAHL last season, putting up 16 goals and 38 points. Next season, he will go play at Michigan State and help them on their quest for a national championship.
Burke was evaluated by NZ scouts in an NAHL game report.
“Cole Burke is a scrappy winger who wears the captain’s ‘C’ for the Ice Dogs. He has a tall, trim frame and moves with a wide stride. Throughout the game, he lined up at center, left wing, and right wing. On defense, he pesters the opposing team, using his upper body strength to irritate his opponents. Offensively, he pushes his way to the net front and moves the puck with short passes, often handing it off to his teammates rather than carrying it himself. Burke scored the game’s lone regulation goal for Fairbanks on the power play, working through traffic to be in position to swat in the rebound from #22 Corneillie’s shot. Burke is an aging-out forward with physicality and awareness.”
Olivier Duhamel (D, R, 5’10, 152, Saint John Sea Dogs, 11/22/2007, Clarkson)
Duhamel will play a third season with Saint John in the QMJHL before going over to New York and joining Clarkson next fall.
Colin Grubb (F, L, 5’11, 175, Shattuck St. Mary’s 16U AAA, 04/02/2009, North Dakota)
Grubb, a 2025 first-round pick by the USHL’s Dubuque Fighting Saints, had 40 assists with Shattuck last season. In 2028, he will head off to North Dakota.
Grubb’s game was evaluated by NZ scouts at a 16U USA camp.
“His game was versatile, as he demonstrated the ability to impact games without scoring and play effectively up and down a roster. His upside lies in that his game will translate to higher levels. He must add some pace and can play better than he did here, but his game has a high ceiling.”
Luke Helgeson (D, L, 6’0, 200, Colorado Grit, 10/31/2004, Alaska Anchorage)
After a few years away, Helgeson will go back and play in his hometown of Anchorage. Helgeson spent the last couple of seasons in the NAHL.
Helgeson will be determined to help drive his new team.
“Helgeson makes smart, efficient plays with the puck and rarely takes unnecessary risks, especially in his defensive zone. He is an excellent skater with a smooth, long stride that allows him to stay active in the play. Offensively, he likes to get involved and work down low when the opportunity arises.”
Oscar Karlsson (F, L, 6’2, 179, Linkoping HC U20, 07/18/2005, Bemidji State)
The young Swede had a good offensive season last year in the J20 Nationell, which earned him a move over to Bemidji State.
Alex Mercier (F, R, 5’9, 187, Moncton Wildcats, 09/22/2005, Merrimack)
Mercier was a crucial part of Moncton’s QMJHL championship-winning team, posting 30 goals and 64 points in 64 games. He will spend one more season in the ‘Q’ before joining Merrimack College.
Mercier has great offensive creativity.
“Alex demonstrates a willingness to attack the net with the puck, using his agility and puck handling skills to create scoring chances.”
Rocco Pelosi (F, L, 5’10, 165, Mount St. Charles Academy 15U AAA, 01/28/2009, Boston College)
Pelosi racked up the points at Mount St. Charles last season, posting 65 goals and 140 points in 60 games for the 15U team. Despite being drafted by the OHL’s Oshawa Generals, Pelosi will play at the NTDP next year and join Boston College in 2028.
Pelosi averaged over a goal per game last season.
“He’s one of the smartest players in the country – he can process his options immediately – has natural offensive instincts and creativity and reads not only the defense and how they are playing him but also the goalie. He plays with a change of speed – he gets defenders to cross over on cut-ins and has the puck skill to maneuver in tight areas.”
Zaide Penner (D, R, 6’0, 187, Northstar Christian Academy 16U AAA, North Dakota)
Penner was part of the USA Hlinka Gretzky Cup team that won gold and has played one USHL game with the Fargo Force. In 2027, he will play at the University of North Dakota.
Penner had the chance to present his skill at a NE Pack Pens showcase.
“He used his 6’0″ frame well in the corners to be physical, hitting and pinning opponents in puck battles. He showed creativity with the puck and escapability, bumping the puck off the back of the net to himself to avoid an opponent. Penner was a consistent and solid two-way defender throughout the entire showcase.”
Charlie Puglisi (F, R, 5’9, 152, The Winchendon School, 04/16/2008, Cornell)
Puglisi played 28 games with The Winchendon School, recording six goals and 19 points. In 2028, he will go to play at Cornell.
Puglisi was evaluated by NZ scouts at the NYSAHA Spring Selection Camp.
“Puglisi has shown some physical growth in his frame. He was displaying his stride and speed to create scoring chances. He was also showing his puck skills off the rush as he was driving wide around defenders or slipping through holes to the net for opportunities. While Puglisi was not lighting up the scoresheet, he was involved offensively consistently.”
Lukas Sawchyn (F, R, 5’10, 168, Edmonton Oil Kings, 02/27/2007, Arizona State)
Sawchyn has split time between the USHL and WHL but will stick with the WHL and the Edmonton Oil Kings before heading off to Arizona State in 2026. He has also won a gold medal with Canada at the U18 World Championship.
Sawchyn’s skills allow him to be an offensive threat.
“This player’s skillset is well-suited for generating high-danger opportunities off the rush, where he can utilize his speed and agility to create space and separation from defenders. He excels at getting in close to the net with ease, thanks to soft hands that allow him to slip past checkers. His ability to quickly accelerate and change direction enables him to make sharp turns and cuts, often catching defenders off guard. He consistently creates chances for his team by being present both with and without the puck in the offensive zone. He also demonstrates good chemistry on the ice, particularly when skating alongside a teammate. While he may not be the most explosive player, his quickness and agility allow him to make plays that generate scoring opportunities.”
Genc Ula (D, L, 6’1, 209, Peterborough Petes, 10/26/2008, Vermont)
Ula had a decent rookie season with the Petes, collecting five goals and ten points in 56 games. The big defenseman will play a bit longer in the OHL before going to the University of Vermont in 2027.
Ula featured in a spring evaluation camp and impressed.
“Ula was a player who looked like he had played 56 games in the OHL, as his performance was more mature and confident than the competition. The left-handed defenseman showed his mobility, puck-handling abilities, and physical brand. There were several shifts where he was not afraid to engage in contact, as he gapped up well in the neutral zone and defensive zone blue line. He scored a nice goal vs. Team Red, picking up the puck off a broken play down his off-side, entering the offensive zone, and then snapping a quick, hard, accurate shot from the circle to the far side over the goalie’s pad. There were a couple of shifts Ula started drifting outside the dots away from the puck as the play developed, yet it seemed more a reflection of his confidence and the environment of a free-wheeling tryout game. Although Ula performed well, he should be an easy pick for the USA Hockey ’08-birthdate National Player Development Camp in Amherst, NY, in July. He should also have eyes on his game for the 2026 NHL Draft with his size, skating, physical play, and two-way style.”
Jaxon Williams (F, R, 5’9, 170, Carolina Jr. Hurricanes 16U AAA, 07/03/2008, Wisconsin)
Jaxon is the song of legendary NHLer Justin Williams and hopes to follow in his father’s footsteps. He had 32 goals and 70 points with the Jr. Hurricanes last season and also won gold with the U.S. at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Williams will play with the Ottawa 67s next season and then join Wisconsin in 2027.
Williams’ game is sometimes slept on.
“His best attribute is his brain; he has great awareness and vision – he understands the situation – can make split second decisions at pace and knows where his teammates are at all times. He has some bite, he works hard in his own end to break pucks out and take back possession and he makes a lot of smart plays with the puck. He was a late round pick in both OHL and USHL drafts but he’s someone to keep an eye on – the more you watch him the more you appreciate his game.”
by Sebastian Zucchet
Sebastian Zucchet is a freelance sports reporter from Toronto and someone who deeply enjoys hockey.