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.
Gavin Garland (F, R, 5’10, 183, Tri-City Americans, 02/08/2006, Ferris State)
A current member of the WHL’s Tri-City Americans, Garland posted 16 goals and 47 points in 68 games this year. He will play at Ferris State in the fall.
Garland knows how to use his speed and agility to his advantage.
“Garland is a relentless worker who wins his share of battles and gets to a high volume of pucks, using his agile boots, speed, and consistent effort to his advantage. He tracks back hard and takes pride in his responsibilities, projecting as a reliable, impactful two way forward. Offensively, Garland shows strong skill and awareness, capable of generating chances with pace. One of the most impressive elements of his game is his ability to accelerate with the puck on his stick, creating separation and putting defenders on their heels.”
Wyatt Kennedy (D, R, 6’5, 211, Windsor Spitfires, 05/27/2005, New Hampshire)
A 2021 third-round pick of the OHL’s North Bay Battalion, Kennedy had three goals and 26 points for the Windsor Spitfires this year. He will play for New Hampshire next season.
Kennedy uses his big frame to his advantage.
“Wyatt Kennedy is a physically imposing right-shot defenseman with a strong defensive presence in the lineup. He effectively wins battles and plays hard in his own end, using his size and strength to box out opponents. On the penalty kill, he excels at filling shot lanes and clearing pucks, leveraging his significant size advantage.”
Ryan Lin (D, R, 5’11, 177, Vancouver Giants, 04/18/2008, Denver)
Considered a top prospect for the upcoming NHL draft, Lin has 14 goals and 57 points for the WHL’s Vancouver Giants this season. He will join NCAA powerhouse Denver next season.
Lin is a great all-around player, but he excels the most on special teams.
“Lin is a well-rounded defenseman who consistently demonstrates a high level of skill and work ethic on both ends of the ice. He excels at reading defensive-zone positioning, making effective decisions to support his teammates or contribute offensively. Lin showcases strong puck skills, including precise passing and reliable first-passing abilities. His mobility and skating ability allow him to seamlessly transition between defense and offense, making him a formidable presence in both zones. Lin’s competitive nature shines through in physical battles, while his strong stick work helps disrupt plays. He is particularly effective on the power play, using his vision and passing prowess to set up teammates for scoring chances. Defensively, Lin’s high hockey IQ enables him to recognize support situations, allowing him to engage the puck carrier aggressively while maintaining sound positional awareness.”
Jakub Milota (G, L, 6’1, 174, Blainville-Boisbriand Armanda, 04/14/2006, Ohio State)
A 2024 fourth-round pick of the Nashville Predators, Milota has been injured for the majority of the season, having only appeared in three games for the QMJHL’s Blainville-Boisbriand Armada. Ohio State awaits him next season.
Milota is a reliable goaltender.
“Milota plays a compact and efficient game in net, minimizing openings by keeping his hands tight and consistently staying in good position. He excels at following shooters with small, precise movements, often using subtle shuffles and reacting quickly with his hands or by relying on his solid positioning. While Milota can be aggressive when the situation calls for it, he remains calm and deep in his crease when needed, showing an ability to read the play and rely on his technical skills to manage shots. His mix of quick reactions, positioning, and calm under pressure makes him a reliable goaltender who can handle a variety of situations effectively.”
Roberts Naudins (F, L, 6’6, 194, Shattuck St. Mary’s 18U Prep, 11/18/2008, Michigan)
Having suited up for Shattuck St. Mary’s 18U Prep this year, Naudins collected 24 goals and 67 points in 45 games. He also represented Latvia at the world juniors and will be suiting up for the WHL’s Penticton Vees next season. In 2028, he will head to Michigan.
Naudins’ size is one of his biggest assets.
“Naudins uses his size to establish a strong net presence, effectively screening the goaltender. He remains engaged in the play and makes smart, clean plays along the boards, delivering accurate passes. He plays with urgency, drawing his linemates into set plays. Gifted offensively, he is also reliable defensively, forcing turnovers and transitioning play up the ice. Moreover, he is a dependable back-checker who tracks opponents well and disrupts plays.”
Tomass Rutulis (G, R, 6’2, 185, South Kent School 18U Prep, 07/16/2008, Princeton)
A native of Latvia, Rutulis is currently playing prep hockey for South Kent School 18U. Across 25 games this season, he’s posted a 2.58 goals-against average and a .919 save percentage. He will play for Princeton next year.
Rutulis shows excellent athleticism and poise for a young goaltender.
“Tomass Rutulis is a goalie who plays with excellent technique, effectively surrounding and swallowing pucks to limit second-chance opportunities. He demonstrates strong lateral pushes, moving quickly side to side while maintaining balance, and his blocker work is precise, allowing him to control rebounds and keep pucks away from danger areas. Rutulis is fearless in traffic, fighting through screens and collisions to make key saves.”
Evan Smith (F, R, 6’0, 187, Prince Albert Raiders, 04/22/2006, Alaska-Fairbanks)
In his final WHL season, Smith had a career year with the Prince Albert Raiders, putting up 11 goals and 35 points. He will join Alaska-Fairbanks in the fall.
Smith is a hard worker who can create offense.
“Smith has a solid combination of good size and being able to move. He can play a two way game where he is responsible in his own end, working hard to eliminate opponents from the puck with physicality.”
Kade Stengrim (F, L, 6’4, 205, Medicine Hat Tigers, 06/09/2007, St. Cloud State)
In his first WHL season with the Medicine Hat Tigers, Stengrim posted some good numbers, having collected 25 goals and 44 points. He will play at St. Cloud State next season.
Stengrim is an efficient player.
“Kade Stengrim is a big-bodied winger who thrives in the dirty areas, utilizing his frame and touch around the net to be an effective complementary scorer. He’s not a dynamic puck carrier or a high-skill threat, but he is a player who knows how to get to the net, leverage his size in scoring areas, and generate chances with a powerful shot and good hands in tight. There are questions around his skating pace, offensive ceiling, and impact at 5-on-5, but the foundational tools for a bottom-six power forward are evident.”
Josh Van Mulligen (D, R, 6’2, 186, Medicine Hat Tigers, 07/26/2005, Niagara)
Another member of the Tigers, Van Mulligen put up six goals and 25 points this year. Niagara awaits him in the fall.
by Sebastian Zucchet
Sebastian Zucchet is a freelance sports reporter from Toronto and someone who deeply enjoys hockey.