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.
Niklas Aaram-Olsen (F, L, 6’1”, 186, Örebro HK U20, 04/19/08, Boston University)
Aaram-Olsen, a product of Oslo, Norway, spent this season playing for Orebro in the U-20 Nationell, Sweden’s top junior league. Through 29 games, he had 20 goals and 40 points. He is committed to Boston University.
Dylan Allie (F, L, 6’3”, 177, Gatineau Olympiques, 09/02/2007, St. Lawrence)
A product of Gatineau, Que., Allie recorded six goals and 12 points wth the QMJHL’s Gatineau Olympiques this season. He will play for St. Lawrence in 2027.
Charles Barnes (F, L, 6’0”, 172, St. Louis AAA Blues 16U AAA, 03/17/2009, Nebraska-Omaha)
While he recently signed with the WHL’s Everett Silvertips, Barnes spent this season playing for the St. Louis AAA Blues 16U, putting up five points in 12 games. He will join Nebraska-Omaha in 2028.
Barnes is a difference-maker when he steps out onto the ice.
“Charles displays a well-rounded skillset with tools that suggest potential for future success. He has shown flashes of high-end play, particularly in face-offs and around the net, where he uses quick hands to create scoring opportunities. Charles also demonstrates confidence, often engaging in hard plays without hesitation. He shows promise in becoming more consistent, often establishing himself as a dominant force in key situations such as face-offs. His physical presence and quick hands around the net create scoring chances.”
Joseph Costanzo (G, L, 6’1”, 180, Windsor Spitfires, 07/26/2005, Michigan Tech)
Having recently completed his overage season with the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires, Costanzo posted a 2.16 goals-against average and a .908 SV% this year. He will play at Michigan Tech in the fall.
Costanzo is very competitive.
“Costanzo is a strong blend of technical ability and pure instinct. He’s a bit of a ‘grinder’ in the net – battling through traffic, fighting for pucks, and not being afraid to make the unconventional save when the situation calls for it. One thing he never does is quit on a play.”
Matteo Danis (F, L, 6’1, 187, Penticton Vees, 03/27/05, Brown)
The eighth-overall pick in the Pentiction Vees’ expansion draft, Danis scored 30 goals and 59 points this season. He will play at Brown next year.
Danis moves well and can find the back of the net.
“Matteo Danis showcased his impressive skating ability, moving swiftly and smoothly on the ice. His soft hands and feet allow for precise stick handling, enabling him to quickly evade defenders. Notably, he demonstrated agility in tight spaces, making it difficult for opponents to gain traction. While maintaining a substantial frame, Danis’s compact size belies his impressive mobility.”
Wyatt Davis (D, R, 6’4”, 190, Alberni Valley Bulldogs, 06/03/2005, Stonehill)
A member of the BCHL’s Alberni Valley Bulldogs, Davis was named a BCHL all-star and put up 44 points in 53 games this season. He will suit up for Stonehill in the fall.
Davis has great offensive instincts.
“Davis possesses a long reach and demonstrates good mobility in all directions. For a player of his size, he pivots smoothly and accelerates quickly. He contains opponents effectively in the low zone. Davis makes crisp outlet passes and is capable of carrying the puck out of the defensive zone. Displaying high-end offensive skills, he can quickly transition the play up the ice. He is capable of leading the rush and creates numerous opportunities for his teammates.”
Eddy Doyle (D, L, 6’2”, 196, Halifax Mooseheads, 11/08/2007, Northeastern)
A product of Tignish, P.E.I., Doyle just finished up his second season with the QMJHL’s Halifax Mooseheads, collecting 18 points in 59 games. He will join Northeastern in 2027.
Doyle is a two-way defender who has a high ceiling.
“Doyle could surprise a lot of people and teams this year with his steady and reliable defensive play. Critics will potentially look at his processing as a drawback, but this kid can really play and is just coming into his own right now in the Q. He thinks the game and position well, but needs to be more urgent and push the pace when the puck is on stick or looking to transition. He has good instincts, he just has to rely on those more consistently. He is more than capable of doing things at top speed, when he plays on his toes.”
Axel Dufresne (D, R, 6’0”, 186, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, 05/10/2005, Clarkson)
Having wrapped up his final QMJHL season with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, Dufresne scored seven goals and collected 28 points in 46 games. He will play at Clarkson in the fall.
Dufresne uses his size well and is a talented puck mover.
“Axel Dufresne’s performance showcased a balanced skill set that demonstrates his potential as a versatile defenseman. He excels at creating scoring chances through his shooting lanes, often using clever fakes to find open paths for the puck. His quick mobility and vision allow him to make effective plays in transition, while his skating enables him to create opportunities from the neutral zone.”
Edison Engle (D, L, 6’2”, 175, Brantford Bulldogs, 02/15/2007, Western Michigan)
A 2025 sixth-round pick of the Winnipeg Jets, Engle spent this season with the OHL’s Brantford Bulldogs and collected 28 points in 61 games. He will play at Western Michigan next season.
Engle has good size and moves well.
“He shows poise and polish with the puck and skates with power and efficiency. While he projects as a puck-moving transitional defenseman with second power play upside, there are significant concerns about his physical maturity, defensive assertiveness, and ability to defend against heavier, faster competition.”
Felix Färhammar (D, L, 6’1”, 188, Örebro HK U20, 04/11/2007, UMass)
A 2025 seventh-round pick of the New York Rangers, Färhammar had five goals and 33 points with Orebro this season. He will join UMass next year.
Färhammar is an anchor on the backend.
“Felix Farhammar is a big-minute, shutdown defenseman who plays with puck-moving ability and a physical edge, noted as an active two-way defenseman who plays the body whenever possible and combines size with strong hockey IQ. He is capable of holding the line, making calm outlets under pressure, and impacting from the backend.”
Cooper Foster (F, L, 5’11”, 183, Ottawa 67’s, 06/04/2005, Lake Superior)
A product of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., Foster scored 29 goals and collected 66 points with the OHL’s Ottawa 67’s this season. He will join Lake Superior State next season.
Foster is a good playmaker and knows how to find open space.
“Cooper Foster is a patient and skilled play-making center who consistently looks to exploit space on the ice. He has a keen sense of timing, often slowing down plays to find open teammates with precise passing. Cooper excels at recognizing pressure before making quick decisions to bump the puck or drive into open lanes.”
Aapo Katavisto (F, R, 6’0”, 173, Kiekko-Espoo U20, 06/09/2007, Northern Michigan)
Having spent the majority of the season with Kiekko-Espoo U-20, Katavisto collected 34 points in 36 regular-season games and helped lead the team to a league championship. He will play at Northern Michigan in the fall.
Katavisto received a B+ game rating from NZ scouts.
“Aapo is a right-shooting right winger of medium size who played on his team’s first line and was used on the power play, penalty kill, and also in overtime. He had a strong start to the game, although his performance dropped a bit in the third period. In the first period he showed good net-front presence, and after a teammate’s shot on the power play, he reacted quickly and scored on the rebound to give his team the lead. Overall, Aapo demonstrated a very good drive to the net and to the slot area, especially in the second period where he was a real threat to the opponent. He forechecked actively and played a physical game. He recorded 11 giveaways, which is an area for improvement.”
Marco Mignosa (F, R, 5’11”, 172, Soo Greyhounds, 04/13/2005, Penn State)
A 2025 seventh-round pick of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Mignosa recently wrapped up his overage season with the OHL’s Soo Greyhounds, putting up 35 goals and 89 points in 65 games. He will join Penn State in the fall.
NZ scouts noted that Mignosa has great vision and is a good playmaker.
“Mignosa showcased his ability to create plays with the puck, often navigating tight spaces with ease while maintaining speed and control. His poise in traffic allowed him to corral pucks and set up scoring opportunities. He demonstrated good vision on entries, frequently finding open teammates or creating space to shoot.”
Alex Pharand (F, R, 6’2”, 211, Windsor Spitfires, 05/01/2005, Clarkson)
A 2023 fourth-round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks, Pharand joined the Windsor Spitfires at the OHL trade deadline and collected 20 points across 43 games (playoffs included). He will play at Clarkson next season.
Pharand displays a strong compete level.
“Alex is a strong power forward type of player. Is very physical and finishes his checks.”
Shane Smith (F, L, 6’1”, 202, Kelowna Rockets, 01/14/2005, RPI)
Having split time between the WHL’s Lethbridge Hurricanes and Kelowna Rockets this season, Smith collected 33 goals and 68 points. He will play at RPI next season.
Smith is an impactful two-way player.
“Shane Smith is a well-rounded forward with a strong offensive skill set, excelling in various aspects of his game. He possesses good puck skills, allowing him to create opportunities through his shot-first mentality and excellent wrist shot. A skilled skater with above-average top-end speed, he’s effective on the rush and can create for teammates. Defensively, Smith needs to commit more to playing a stop-and-start manner, but his vision and playmaking abilities are consistently on display. He competes physically, engaging in forechecks, finishing checks, and delivering intensity in board battles.”
Tarin Smith (D, L, 6’1”, 201, Everett Silvertips, 03/24/2006, Minnesota)
A 2024 third-round pick of the Anaheim Ducks, Smith put up 16 goals and 71 points with the Silvertips this season and helped them make a run to the final, where they’re still battling for the WHL championship. He will play at Minnesota next season.
Smith is a solid puck-moving defenseman.
“Tarin Smith’s game is characterized by his ability to make plays with quick, decisive movements around the rink. He demonstrates an understanding of the game that allows him to capitalize on openings and take risks, often resulting in positive outcomes. As a puck-moving defenseman, Smith possesses great offensive tools, including accuracy on his shot and excellent vision. He is judicious in joining the rush and prioritizes team success over personal scoring chances. While not perfect defensively, Smith’s mobility and poise make him an asset in zone exits and his own end, where he excels at making tape-to-tape passes. As a net front defender, Smith shows a willingness to battle in the corners, using thoughtful physicality to muscle opponents into positions that allow him to create scoring chances. His size is a key factor in this approach, allowing him to overpower puck carriers and create opportunities for his teammates.”
by Sebastian Zucchet
Sebastian Zucchet is a freelance sports reporter from Toronto and someone who deeply enjoys hockey.