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.
Aleksey Chichkin (D, L, 6’4, 222, Red Deer Rebels, 07/21/2005, Mercyhurst)
Undrafted into the WHL, Chichkin has carved out a solid career for himself and currently has three goals and 14 points with the Red Deer Rebels this year. Chichkin will play at Mercyhurst in the fall.
Chichkin brings a physical element to his game.
“Aleksey Chichkin’s game is built around his physical presence in the defensive zone, where he excels at eliminating opponents and using his size to gain an advantage. He demonstrates good positioning skills, scanning the ice before re-engaging with a defender. Chichkin also shows ability to push off of opponents and stay engaged in the play. However, there is room for improvement in terms of mobility along the blue line and creating scoring opportunities.”
Simon-Xavier Cyr (F, L, 6’2, 196, Gatineau Olympiques, 03/11/2008, Merrimack)
A 2024 first-round pick of the QMJHL’s Gatineau Olympiques, Cyr has nine goals and 20 points this season. He will join Merrimack starting in 2027.
Cyr was evaluated by NZ scouts this season.
“Cyr is one of those players that has a ton of tools in his tool bag. He has the size, speed, and skill to dominate a shift, but tonight was inconsistent with those shifts. There were shifts where he was able to use his big frame to get to quality scoring areas, but then on the breakout, turn the puck over, throwing it through the middle. Two very polar opposite types of plays, and that was his game tonight really just the inconsistency of it. If you took away some of the obvious turnovers, here is a two way ceiling, that is impressive.”
Coster Dunn (F, R, 6’1, 191, Seattle Thunderbirds, 09/13/2005, Northern Michigan)
A current member of the WHL’s Seattle Thunderbirds, Dunn has 21 goals and 44 points this year. Dunn will play at Northern Michigan in the fall.
Dunn is someone who can make an impact in all three zones.
“Coster Dunn is a well-rounded player with great speed, puck skills, and on-ice awareness. His situational awareness is a standout attribute, as he is always scanning the ice and assessing his options. This gives him confidence in all three zones to use his skill set to create offense, make clean breakouts, or execute smart defensive plays. He is a force in the corners, using his body to protect the puck while finding the best solutions. Coster’s solid straight-line speed also makes him a threat on the forecheck, finishing big hits and letting opponents know he is coming. His blend of grit and playmaking ability creates a powerful centerman presence.”
Henry Hlinka (D, R, 5’10, 165, Seattle Jr. Kraken 18U AAA, 09/05/2008, Augustana)
Currently playing for the Seattle Jr. Kraken 18U, Hlinka has 17 points through 16 games. He has also appeared in four games with the NAHL’s Chippewa Steel. Hlinka will play at Augustana in 2028.
Hlinka often makes good decisions on the blueline.
“He’s fluid in his stride, quick in all directions, which allows him to gap up tight on puck carriers and force the play to the perimeter. He handles the puck with his head up, he can shake off forecheckers with clever spin moves and side steps behind the net, and moves the puck both quickly and efficiently. If there wasn’t a lane, Henry was comfortable skating the puck up ice and leading a line rush.”
Troy Hunka (F, R, 5’10, 170, El Paso Rhinos, 02/06/2006, Robert Morris)
A current member of the NAHL’s El Paso Rhinos, Hunka is having a great season thus far, collecting 25 goals and 75 points in 51 games. He will play at Robert Morris next year.
Veeti Louhivaara (G, L, 6’4, 207, Chicago Steel, 02/06/2006, UConn)
A 2024 fifth-round pick of the New Jersey Devils, Louhivaara left Finland midway through the year to join the USHL’s Chicago Steel. Through 16 appearances, he has posted a 2.83 goals-against average and a .907 save percentage. He will play at the University of Connecticut in the fall.
Louhivaara is a promising prospect.
“Louhivaara is a bigger goaltender who uses his size to ‘block’ pucks, but he also has athleticism, making his game well-rounded. When necessary, he fights through traffic and will stretch out, using his long arms to trap pucks and get a piece of them. He’s smooth with his transitions from his posts out to shooters, getting out far enough to cut down the angle without putting himself out of position. At times, he can over-utilize the RVH, which is common for bigger goaltenders. Despite being efficient and good at it, he can get caught there for longer periods, wasting energy and struggling to find pucks in his feet from off-angle shots. He smothers pucks, limiting second-chance opportunities, and plays with a calm demeanor while still showing intensity.”
Kyle Powers (F, L, 6’1, 191, Baie-Comeau Drakkar, 02/17/2005, Alaska-Fairbanks)
A native of Ottawa, Ont., Powers has split time between the QMJHL’s Baie-Comeau Drakkar and the Charlottetown Islanders this year, putting up 12 goals and 27 points. He will begin his NCAA journey with Alaska-Fairbanks next season.
Powers can make a difference on the ice.
“Powers does a good job at the face off circle and battles that extra second to win pucks back to his defenseman. He is not he biggest player on the ice but has the skill to beat players one on one. When he uses his creativity off the rush, he can be unpredictable with where he wants to go, which is one of the better qualities in his game.”
Carson Scott (D, L, 6’3, 196, U.S. National U17 Team, 04/02/2009, North Dakota)
A current member of the U.S NTDP U17s, Scott has collected 11 points through 47 games. He will join North Dakota in 2028.
Scott is a steady presence on the backend.
“He consistently makes subtle, quiet defensive plays that break up opposing possessions and lead to quick transitions. His stick work is a clear strength as he keeps it in engaged, disciplined positions that steer speedy forwards into non-threatening areas and eliminate clean looks. Down low, he competes hard, stays in battles, and consistently wins his share of 50/50 plays.”
Matthew Wang (F, L, 6’2, 199, Oshawa Generals, 08/22/2005, RIT)
A recent acquisition of the OHL’s Oshawa Generals, Wang has collected an assist since making the move from Flint. He will play at the RIT next season.
Grant Young (F, R, 5’9, 180, Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, 03/22/2006, Dartmouth)
A USHL champion in 2023, Young has 11 goals and 20 points through 31 games with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders this year. He will play at Dartmouth next season.
Young possesses a good amount of speed and energy.
“He plays with relentless energy, pressures pucks, and is difficult to defend in open ice thanks to quick hands and the ability to separate from defenders. In tight spaces, he shows excellent hands, using curls and misdirection to evade opponents. Grant is effective on the power play, finding seam passes and driving hard to the net. A responsible 200-foot player, he competes in all three zones, takes hits to make plays, and is a force on the forecheck. His coach demonstrated trust in him by deploying him for a crucial defensive-zone faceoff late in the game.”
by Sebastian Zucchet
Sebastian Zucchet is a freelance sports reporter from Toronto and someone who deeply enjoys hockey.