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.
Adam Belusko (D, L, 5’11, 195, Muskegon Lumberjacks, 04/12/2006, Lake Superior State)
Although he played in the WHL last season, Belusko made the move to the USHL this year and is currently playing for the Muskegon Lumberjacks. He had a good world juniors for Slovakia, where he was named one of the team’s top three players of the tournament. Next year, he will play at Lake Superior State.
Belusko had a strong performance at the USHL Showcase.
“Powerful in his core at 195lbs, Adam was trusted by the Lumberjacks Staff to play in key situations. Belusko was strong and stout. He always had his stick in passing and shooting lanes and scanned defensive plays, like a veteran. Belusko played superb positional defense with sharp, smart angles. The 2006 locked out forwards from his net front and maintained coverage near his crease with balance and a heavy stick.”
Peteris Bulans (D, L, 6’0, 185, Chicoutimi Sagueneens, 03/03/2005, Bowling Green)
Currently roaming the blueline for the QMJHL’s Chicoutimi Sagueneens, Bulans has seven goals and 24 points this season. He has represented Latvia at two world juniors and has spent the last four seasons in the QMJHL. His NCAA journey begins at Bowling Green next season.
Alexander Calbeck (D, L, 6’0, 180, Chicago Steel, 06/20/2006, Western Michigan)
Having begun the season with the USHL’s Chicago Steel, Calbeck had two goals and 13 points in 33 games. He joined Western Michigan mid-season.
Calbeck is a power-play specialist and has great hockey IQ.
“Alexander is a 6′ left-shot defenseman from Illinois. Callbeck plays a smart, controlled puck-possession game and is a proficient puck mover, particularly on the power play, consistently finding seams and hitting the open man quickly and decisively. He isn’t afraid to carry the puck out of the zone himself, drawing pressure before dishing to a teammate. Callbeck gaps up well in the neutral zone and plays through his man with proper stick placement. A physical presence for his size, he absorbs hits to make plays offensively and takes effective angles in defensive situations.”
Mark Evans (F, L, 5’11, 161, Bismarck Bobcats, 01/23/2007, Robert Morris)
In his first NAHL season with the Bismarck Bobcats, Evans has ten goals and 29 points this season. He has also logged two games for the USHL’s Dubuque Fighting Saints. He will join Robert Morris University in 2028.
Evan has a knack for scoring and is excellent offensively.
“Evans is a left-shot forward who excels in a net-front presence role on the power play, demonstrating confidence and poise. He possesses a quick shot release with a deceptive snap. Evans plays a gritty, determined style, battling hard all over the ice, particularly along the boards. He is quick on his feet, though his skating stride could be further developed. Increasing his stride length and power will improve his efficiency and speed. Evans distributes the puck effectively, consistently making accurate, hard, and crisp passes. He drives to the net with determination, consistently getting to the crease and high-scoring areas, and maintaining a frequent presence around the net.”
Isa Guram (D, L, 6’0, 173, Kamloops Blazers, 05/10/2007, Northern Michigan)
In his second full season with the WHL’s Kamloops Blazers, Guram is having a great year offensively, having recorded six goals and 24 points in 42 games. He will join Northern Michigan in 2027.
Guram is a great anchor on the backend and has a high hockey IQ.
“Guram brings a solid, all-around skill set to the Blazers’ defense, consistently performing well in various situations. He excels as a mobile skater who maintains a high tempo and effectively handles pressure with the puck. In tight spaces, Guram showcases poise, making intelligent passes that relieve stress on his team’s offense. While he does not rely heavily on physicality in the defensive zone, he contributes to supporting play and is trusted in key situations.”
Ludvig Lafton (D, L, 6’2, 185, Dubuque Fighting Saints, 01/11/2006, Maine)
A 2024 sixth-round pick of the Utah Mammoth, Lafton helped guide Norway back to the top division of the world juniors this past winter. While he is a current member of the USHL’s Dubuque Fighting Saints, he will play at the University of Maine in the fall.
Colton Lien (F, L, 6’3, 179, Okanagan HA Colorado 16U AAA, 03/20/2009, Arizona State)
Lien is currently playing for Okanagan HA Colorado but will suit up in the WHL with the Kelowna Rockets next season. In 2027, he will play at Arizona State.
Lien is already a well-rounded player.
“Lien is a strong, two-way forward that is tough to beat on the faceoff dot and someone who utilizes his size to his advantage in the offensive zone. Colton finishes checks and can cause disruptions just with his reach and physical prowess but doesn’t try to make too much an impact with an aggressiveness. Off the cycle he is able to generate chances and be just as effective from the rush with his passing and protection for quality opportunities. He sees the ice well and is deployed in all situations, logging important time late in games and on both sides of special teams.”
Noah Mannausau (D, L, 6’0, 180, Sioux Falls Stampede, 05/15/2006, Augustana)
Having split time between the NAHL and USHL this season, Mannausau is currently suiting up for the Sioux Falls Stampede, where he has three goals and 10 points in 34 games. Next season, he is committed to play at Augustana.
Mannausau’s speed and skating ability play a big part in his success.
“Mannausau is a mobile defenseman that is fast, strong and adds some touch to his stick when he needs to. He doesn’t look to carry pucks out on his own but he has the capability to do so with his speed, edgework and poise. When he needs to relieve pressure, he utilizes the glass to push pucks up ice and then can gap up to control lanes. When the puck gets off his stick, he likes to activate into the play and add layers to the offense. Noah has a firm stick to not get lifted and helps him on retrievals to take contact while still controlling the puck under pressure.”
Ryan Michael (D, L, 6’3, 196, Kamloops Blazers, 02/05/2005, RPI)
A 2020 third-round pick of the Blazers, Michael has spent his entire WHL career playing for the team. Michael will play at RPI next season.
Michael isn’t the flashiest player on the ice, but he knows what he needs to do to help the team be successful.
“Michael showed that he uses his speed, instincts, and playmaking ability to drive offense, but improving his balance would help him stay on pucks longer and avoid being knocked off so easily. He is one of those players who quietly does all the little things that do not really show up on the scoresheet, and his reliable defensive play and work ethic make him someone coaches can trust in his own end.”
Charlie Morrison (D, L, 6’3, 200, Quebec Remparts, 10/12/2007, Connecticut)
A second-round pick in the 2024 QMJHL draft, the New Brunswick native is in his second season with the Quebec Remparts. Morrison is committed to UConn for 2027.
NZ scouts discussed Morrison’s game in a report.
“Morrison at times has flashes of offense, but was not a scoring defenseman, and he lacks the puck skills, offensive instincts, and skating ability to be a factor consistently in the offensive zone, thought he is younger than most on the ice. His below average skating also translates to his abilities in transition, where he is far from an asset. That being said, Morrison was able to show tonight that it is his defense that allows him to be effective on the ice. He uses his larger size to be physical and makes a smart first pass to start breakouts.”
Michal Pradel (G, L, 6’4, 195, Tri-City Storm, 03/10/2007, Colorado College)
A 2025 third-round pick of the Detroit Red Wings, Pradel has posted a 2.39 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage with the USHL’s Tri-City Storm this season. Pradel was named one of Slovakia’s top three players at the latest edition of the world juniors.
Pradel has the skill set to be a successful goaltender.
Michal Pradel is a tall, fluid, technically promising goaltender with a modern NHL frame and foundational traits that make him a legitimate long-term prospect. His ability to track pucks through traffic, square up early, and use his size to absorb shots from prime scoring areas gives him a natural advantage at his position. While he is raw in areas—most notably in rebound control, lateral explosiveness, and consistent upper-body structure—his blend of poise, compete level, and untapped upside places him firmly in the mix as a draftable goaltender in 2025.
Rhett Ravndahl (D, R, 6’2, 181, Kamloops Blazers, 02/15/2005, Alaska-Fairbanks)
A five-year veteran in the WHL, Ravndahl has suited up for three teams and is a current member of the Blazers. He will join the University of Alaska-Fairbanks in the fall.
Ravndahl eats minutes and is a reliable defenseman.
“Ravndahl’s skill set revolves around his solid defensive capabilities and effective use of his skating ability. He maintains composure under pressure, making him a reliable puck mover in critical situations. His poise with the puck allows him to effectively manage both defensive responsibilities and puck retrievals. While Ravndahl consistently puts in effort and makes solid contributions, he does exhibit limitations in his offensive game. His puck battle success is inconsistent, which may hinder his ability to create dynamic plays. Overall, Ravndahl is a defense-first player who can anchor a unit, but may need to develop his skills to reach his full potential.”
Andrew Smulkstys (D, L, 6’5, 185, Watertown Shamrocks, 07/24/2007, Alaska-Fairbanks)
Currently playing for the NAHL’s Watertown Shamrocks, Smulkstys has 10 points in 29 games. He has also played two games with the USHL’s Fargo Force this season. In 2027, he will head to Alaska-Fairbanks.
Smulkstys knows how to get the job done on the backend.
“Andrew is a big, long defender who has a big wingspan and uses it well to clog up the passing lanes and close gaps. He’s pretty mobile for a big frame, and he can pivot quickly and retrieve pucks with ease. He does a good job keeping the play alive at the offensive blue line. Andrew is not flashy. He plays a simple and smart game.”
Beck Thoreson (D, L, 6’2, 197, U.S. National U17 Team, 12/30/2009, North Dakota)
A current member of the U.S. NTDP, Thoreson has three assists through 10 games and won a bronze medal with the U.S. at the 2025 World U-17 Hockey Challenge. He will play at the University of North Dakota in 2027.
Thoreson’s size and skill will make him one to watch.
“Beck is a rangy, tall defender with the size, strength, and presence to handle top matchups effectively. At 6’2, he holds his own below the dots, using his frame to win positioning, lean on opponents, and play with as much physicality as needed. Along the walls, he can rub out attackers and force early turnovers, helping his team transition quickly and disrupt sustained pressure. For a player of his size, his skating stands out as he moves well over all 200 feet, showing fluid strides, balance, and strong agility.”
Jordan Tourigny (D, R, 6’0, 190, Chicoutimi Sagueneens, 02/28/2005, Northeastern)
A veteran of the QMJHL, Tourigny made his debut in 2021 and has won a championship with the Shawinigan Cataractes. Capable of producing offense from the backend, Tourigny has continued that trend this year, but he will face a different challenge at Northeastern in the fall.
Reese Tracy (F, L, 5’9, 146, Woodbridge Wolfpack 16U AAA, 01/09/2009, Maine)
A current member of the Woodbridge Wolfpack 16U, Tracy has 20 points in 15 games this season. Tracy has also appeared in two games for the Chicago Steel. He will head off to Maine in the fall of 2028.
Tracy stood out in a game report.
“Tracy is a quick, agile forward with elite acceleration, sharp edgework, and the ability to generate separation both in transition and after contact. His speed is his biggest weapon, allowing him to create breakaways or odd-man rushes, burn defenders wide, and consistently generate zone entries.”
Jack Willson (D, L, 5’8, 176, Youngstown Phantoms, 04/15/2005, Alaska-Fairbanks)
In his fourth season with the USHL’s Youngstown Phantoms, Willson has been a steady presence on their backend. Next year, he will play at Alaska-Fairbanks.
Willson was impressive at the USHL Showcase.
“Michigan native Jack Willson is a puck-moving defenseman who delivers quick, accurate passes with zip. On retrievals, he showed the ability to shake off attackers with smart escapes and immediately looked to stretch the ice, hitting several teammates on time and on the tape. He takes pucks off the wall and attacks middle ice with his head up, searching for passing lanes. Willson activates in the offensive zone and consistently looks to find quiet ice. Comfortable carrying the puck, he executed a smooth spin move through the neutral zone, gaining the zone with speed against Cedar Rapids. With timely pinches and a strong ability to win puck battles, Willson played physical when necessary and was sound defensively, employing a simple yet effective game.”
Jonas Woo (D, R, 5’9, 177, Medicine Hat Tigers, 11/19/2006, Arizona State)
Currently playing for the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers, Woo has 23 goals and 60 points in 36 games. He also helped guide the team to a WHL championship last season. Woo will join Arizona State next season.
Woo is great offensively and defensively and will be a great addition to Arizona State.
“He plays with the very evident poise of a offensive defender. His game was highlighted by a relentless offensive compete level, solid puck skills, and notable offensive senses. Skating all stood out moderately for Woo in this one as he employs some decent crossovers on activations, clean edgework, and solid pace management through notable lane creation and driving in both transitional and established zone plays. The 2006 born defender has also shown some moderate growth on the physicality side as shown in his gap control he tries to get body positioning, and has isolation attempts, but shows mixed results due to his frame and below average physical pressure. Defensively he tracks well and isn’t scared to engage in board play, showing that willingness is a good step forward for the defender.”
by Sebastian Zucchet
Sebastian Zucchet is a freelance sports reporter from Toronto and someone who deeply enjoys hockey.