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.
Liam Armit (F, R, 6’0, 155, Baie-Comeau Drakkar, 01/14/2009, Northeastern)
A 2025 third-round pick of the QMJHL’s Baie-Comeau Drakkar, Armit is currently in his rookie season, where he has put up seven goals and 16 points. In 2027, he will head across the border to play at Northeastern.
Armit can be described as a constant threat.
“Armit combines good size with a fearless, physical style—he applies consistent pressure along the boards, creates turnovers, and crashes the net aggressively for rebounds. With a heavy and precise shot, strong puck protection, and very good top-end speed, he is a dangerous power forward who thrives in the offensive zone. His solid skating, puck control, and physical edge make him hard to handle and a constant threat, while his upward development curve suggests a fairly high ceiling and the potential to surprise in the draft.”
Samuel Boisvert (F, L, 6’4, 181, Nanaimo Clippers, 10/26/2005, Alaska-Anchorage)
A member of the BCHL’s Nanaimo Clippers, Boisvert has 15 goals and 37 points in 36 games this season. He is will join Alaska-Anchorage in the fall.
Boisvert uses his size well.
“Boisvert brings a physical element to the game that allows him to win puck battles and races. Uses his size to his advantage by engaging physically, separating opponents from the puck. Might not knock you off your feet, but his reach and stick work will win puck battles. For a bigger player, owns a good skill-set and can make plenty of high end plays, particularly in the offensive zone. Owns a longer reach, and by changing the angle of his body, hands and stick he is able to protect the puck, making high end passes to his teammates in scoring positions.”
Dane Callaway (G, L, 6’2, 205, Waterloo Black Hawks, 12/04/2005, Long Island)
Currently a member of the USHL’s Waterloo Black Hawks, Callaway has posted a 2.79 goals-against average and a .915 save percentage across 10 appearances. He will fight for a spot in the crease at Long Island in the fall.
Callaway is an athletic goalie with good size.
“Dane moves well in his crease and has quick reflexes. He has good rebound control, and his athleticism allows him to get to loose pucks in and around the crease.”
Jakub Fibigr (D, L, 6’0, 171, Windsor Spitfires, 07/22/2006, Ohio State)
A 2024 seventh-round pick of the Seattle Kraken, Fibigr has helped Czechia to back-to-back medals at the world juniors. Currently suiting up for the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires, Fibigr has collected nine goals and 33 points this season. He will be an Ohio State Buckeye in the fall.
Fibigr is a steady defenseman who can also contribute on the scoresheet.
“Jakub is a strong-skating defenseman who impacts the game at both ends of the ice. He handles the puck well and sees the ice to make smart plays. He shoots the puck well and with purpose from the point, placing it in areas where his teammates can get sticks on it. He is clearly an offensive threat but he is also a very effective defender, often standing up plays at the blue line, playing the body and denying entries.”
Jackson Fox (F, R, 5’11, 170, Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, 02/05/2007, Augustana)
A 2025 sixth-round pick of the USHL’s Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, Fox has six goals and 14 points this season. He will play at Augustana in 2027.
Fox has flashed a solid skillset when he is on the ice.
“Fox is a decent-sized right-shot forward who showed a good blend of speed, strength, and size. He plays the power forward style as he can generate good speed through the neutral zone and challenge defenders off the rush by driving the puck into the greasy area for scoring opportunities.”
Norman Greene (F, R, 6’0, 182, Woodbridge Wolfpack 16U AAA, 02/02/2009, Harvard)
Greene has spent most of the season as a member of the 16U Woodbridge Wolfpack but has also appeared in two games for the USHL’s Green Bay Gamblers. In 2028, he will go play at Harvard.
Greene has a great work ethic and is a player that coaches can depend on in all situations.
“Norman Greene is a strong, competitive forward who consistently protects the puck by leaning into defenders and using his body effectively. He excels at executing switches on the forecheck, demonstrating good awareness and timing when pressuring the puck carrier. Greene effectively gets to quality scoring areas and directs pucks on net with purpose. He displays soft hands in tight around the crease, allowing him to finish plays in traffic. His strong work ethic keeps him involved in shifts, even without the puck. He plays through contact and maintains possession under pressure. Greene brings a dependable power-forward element that is effective in both offensive zone time and puck retrievals.”
Koen Harrold (D, L, 6’0, 163, New Mexico Ice Wolves, 11/29/2008, Alaska-Fairbanks)
Currently playing for the NAHL’s New Mexico Ice Wolves, Harrold has 14 points in 38 games. He’s committed to Alaska-Fairbanks for next year.
NZ scouts were impressed with Harrold when watching him play this season.
“Koen showed his versatility and value to his team in this game by becoming the extra forward from defence due to penalties. He does not panic with the puck and plays with a lot of confidence. Koen anticipates and reads the play well, utilizing his defensive details as a forward. Harrold is an invaluable player that competes at both ends of the ice.”
Ethan Neutens (F, R, 6’3, 213, Medicine Hat Tigers, 05/03/2005, Alaska-Anchorage)
Originally a ninth-round pick of the Kelowna Rockets in the 2020 WHL draft, Neutens has 17 points with the Medicine Hat Tigers this season. He will play at the University of Alaska-Anchorage in the fall.
Neutens brings depth scoring to any roster.
“Ethan Neutens showcased his offensive skills, particularly his ability to create scoring opportunities with quick releases and deceptive movements. He demonstrated good skating ability and controlled space effectively, allowing him to dominate hard areas such as shooting in contested spots. While he is not a well-rounded two-way player, Neutens excels in his ability to find the back of the net. His lack of foot speed is an area for improvement, but with the addition of skills like using his big mentality to attack the net, he has potential down the wall off rushes.”
Renaud Poulin (F, R, 5’11, 185, Drummondville Voltigeurs, 11/22/2006, Northeastern)
An important member of the QMJHL’s Drummondville Voltigeurs, Poulin has put up 26 goals and 50 points in 55 games this season. Poulin heads off to Northeastern in September.
Poulin is a quick skater who can create space for himself.
“His ability to control the puck in tight spaces is an asset, allowing him to create his own space and navigate through triangles. He has a quick burst of speed that enables him to separate himself from opponents and gain more time and space to work with. However, Poulin’s on-ice decision-making can be inconsistent, as evidenced by instances where he leaves the puck exposed on his stick or gets pushed off it. Despite this, his ability to jump into plays and use his quick speed to create separation is a useful asset for his team. His overall skill set is a mix of positives and areas for improvement.”
Emile Ricard (F, L, 5’11, 181, Chicoutimi Sagueneens, 11/18/2007, Nebraska-Omaha)
A 2023 first-round pick by the QMJHL’s Cape Breton Eagles, Ricard has 29 points in 40 games with the Chicoutimi Sagueneens. He has committed to Nebraska-Omaha for next season
Ricard has the skill needed to be a great player in the NCAA.
“Ricard has solid size and at times showed that he was difficult to take the puck from, and that puck control allows him to create time and space to make plays. He is a good shooter with a quick release, but he does not often create enough time and space for himself to unleash it and tends to be a pass first and pass second player. He is reliable in his own end thanks to his positioning skills and defensive awareness, though he is not the strongest at the face off dot. Couple times when players are in motion, he loses his man at the net front and scoring chances arise because of this lack in attentiveness.”
Harper Searles (F, L, 5’9, 175, Des Moines Buccaneers, 09/24/2005, Air Force)
A product of Blaine, Minn., Searles has collected seven points in 47 games with the USHL’s Des Moines Buccaneers this season. He is committed to Air Force for 2026-27.
Searles impressed NZ scouts at the USHL showcase.
“Harper was an athletic and versatile player; he played smart hockey with quality angling, short passes, and a good sense of in-game situations. He flashed enough speed to stretch out opposing defenders. The 2005 led by example and made his team better. High compete, high character approach.”
Ryan Shaw (F, L, 5’9, 165, Rochester Jr. Americans, 01/29/2005, RIT)
A difference-maker for the NAHL’s Rochester Jr. Americans, Shaw has scored 35 goals and collected 67 points in 44 games this year. He will attend RIT in the fall.
Shaw is a great playmaker.
“Shaw reads the game well, showing a natural feel for all three zones and rarely looking rushed. A left-shot forward with a smooth, economical stride, he moves around the ice with purpose, using strong edges and above-average speed to pressure opponents. His puck decisions are sharp and timely, and his two-way reliability stands out as he consistently turns smart positioning into transition chances. Shaw’s vision enables him to spot subtle plays that others miss, lending his overall game a quietly effective, underrated quality.”
by Sebastian Zucchet
Sebastian Zucchet is a freelance sports reporter from Toronto and someone who deeply enjoys hockey.