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.
Carson Carels (D, L, 6’2”, 197, Prince George Cougars, 06/23/2008, North Dakota)
A top talent for the upcoming NHL draft, Carels has lots of eyes on him – and for good reason. With the WHL’s Prince George Cougars this year, he scored 20 goals and 73 points in 58 games. He also won a bronze medal with Team Canada at the world juniors. He will play for North Dakota next season.
Carels is an exciting prospect.
“Carels is an elite talent with incredible upside – a player who consistently makes special plays whenever he’s on the ice. What sets him apart is his ability to impact the game on both sides of the puck. While very offensive-minded, he’s also responsible defensively, showing versatility as a defender who can play in all scenarios: power play, penalty kill, and at five-on-five. Offensively, he reads the play exceptionally well, timing jumps into the rush perfectly. He often acts as a late trailer, collecting pucks and generating shots on net. He has a heavy, accurate shot and excellent vision, particularly in transition, knowing when to attack and when to hold back – a clear sign of high hockey IQ.”
Jason Davenport (D, R, 6’3”, 191, Des Moines Buccaneers, 06/29/2006, Northern Michigan)
In his first season with the USHL’s Des Moines Buccaneers, Davenport had two goals and 14 points in 59 games. He will play at Northern Michigan next season.
NZ scouts watched Davenport at the USHL Showcase.
“Not overly physical, he could still knock opponents down but will need to add more physicality as the season progresses. He used his reach to pass around forecheckers, including a slick pass from behind his net to his center for an easy breakout. Davenport spun off pressure and, with a wide cradle, shielded the puck effectively. The Michigan native displayed strong puck control with his head up when carrying the puck. He boxed out forwards before they reached his net front, and at 6’2.5″, he was stout in net-front defense. Jason made smart reads and, with his long stick, clogged lanes and deflected shots.”
Brandt Dubey (D, L, 6’2”, 190, Dubuque Fighting Saints, 02/12/2006, Colgate)
A member of the USHL’s Dubuque Fighting Saints this season, Dubey scored two goals and collected 18 points in 58 games. He will play for Colgate next season.
NZ scouts liked Dubey’s game at the USHL Showcase.
“He effectively neutralized sticks and was physical in net-front coverage. Dubey joined the rush and transitioned up ice quickly, showcasing himself as a reliable puck-moving defenseman who gets the puck on and off his stick efficiently. A proficient problem solver in both the defensive and neutral zones, he made quick reads and delivered hard, flat, and accurate passes. He also excelled on the penalty kill, winning battles and clearing with purpose. Strong on his skates and upper body, Dubey uses his length and active stick to great effect, making him a well-rounded two-way defender.”
Bauer Dumanski (D, L, 6’0”, 197, Prince George Cougars, 01/05/2005, North Dakota)
A key blueliner for the WHL’s Prince George Cougars, Dumanski had nine goals and 39 points this season. He will play at North Dakota in the fall.
Dumanski defends well and can move the puck.
“Dumanski is a reliable two-way defenseman who brings consistency and effort every shift. He’s particularly effective on the penalty kill, setting the tone for his team by winning puck battles and doing the hard work that allows teammates to stay engaged offensively. His use of size and strength to box out opponents and his willingness to engage physically make him a dependable presence in his own zone. While primarily a defensive-minded player, Dumanski is also a capable puck mover. He consistently makes clean first passes to jumpstart the transition game, helping his team play at pace. On a team that emphasizes speed, his ability to get the puck up the ice efficiently makes him a valuable contributor in both ends of the rink.”
Andrew Earl (F, R, 6’0”, 190, New Mexico Ice Wolves, 08/19/2005, Lindenwood)
A product of Eden Prairie, Minn., Earl recorded 30 goals and 67 points in 58 games for the NAHL’s New Mexico Ice Wolves this season. He will play for Lindenwood in the fall.
Earl was given a “B” rating by NZ scouts in a game report.
“Earl delivers strong cross-ice passes offensively and cycles well along the perimeter. Despite his size, he struggled with balance when challenged physically. Earl finished the night with a backhand chance, cutting into a high-danger area, followed by another high-percentage drive to the net, but couldn’t convert. Earl is an aging-out, balanced forward who made several plays at both ends but lacked the results to show for his efforts.”
Bradley Gardiner (F, R, 6’1”, 191, Barrie Colts, 03/06/2005, Cornell)
A member of the OHL’s Barrie Colts, Gardiner played an integral role this year, putting up 31 goals and 65 points and helping his team make a run to the OHL final. He will play for Cornell next season.
Gardiner’s quick reads help him make an impact.
“Gardiner excels as a two-way forward, showcasing his skills through his work ethic and physicality. He consistently engages opponents in puck battles, utilizing an active stick to gain possession. In the defensive zone, Gardiner reads plays well, anticipating passes and disrupting them effectively. He is also capable of scoring goals, demonstrating speed and agility on breakaways.”
Samuel Harris (D, L, 6’0”, 175, Green Bay Gamblers, 11/13/2006, Bemidji State)
A first-year player for the USHL’s Green Bay Gamblers, Harris scored one goal and put up 10 points in 58 games. Bemidji State awaits him next season.
Harris has a strong presence on the back end.
“Samuel is a strong skater with a firm base and a powerful stride that allows him to easily navigate the ice. He is patient with the puck, letting plays develop in front of him without forcing passes. Harris waits for lanes to open up and then adds some zip behind his passes to get the puck through the middle of the ice.”
Ilya Kolmakov (F, L, 5’11”, 174, Sherbrooke Phoenix, 09/30/2008, New Hampshire)
A product of Perm, Russia, Kolmakov had 13 goals and 48 points in his first QMJHL season with the Sherbrooke Phoenix. He will head to New Hampshire next year.
Kolmakov is a crafty playmaker.
“Kolmakov handles the puck well in tight, showing the ability to keep it close to his body and maintain control in congested areas. His skating can appear a bit heavy at times, lacking top end quickness, but he is still capable of generating a strong, purposeful stride when he gets moving. Around the net, he uses his size effectively to create space and establish position in dangerous areas. Despite his physical strength, he is not consistently imposing physically, and his off puck compete level can occasionally waver. When he is engaged, though, he shows the ability to play through the middle of the ice, using his frame and strength to operate effectively between the dots.”
Markus Loponen (F, L, 6’1”, 185, HPK, 06/17/2006, Lake Superior)
A 2024 fifth-round pick of the Winnipeg Jets, Loponen played for HPK in Liiga (Finland’s top pro league) this year, collecting six points in 40 games. He will play at Lake Superior State next season.
Loponen’s energy is evident when he’s on the ice.
“He has a very powerful stride and closes gaps quickly when forechecking or angling off a rushing defenseman. On attacks, he creates net havoc and distraction by driving hard to the net without the puck, stick on ice, and pulling his defender with him, opening up slot ice for a trailing player or the puck carrier. On one particular rush, he was “Johnny on the spot,” stuffing home a rebound goal from the blue paint.”
Xander Miceli (G, L, 6’4”, 190, Corpus Christi IceRays, 02/03/2005, Wisconsin)
An overager with the NAHL’s Corpus Christi IceRays this season, Miceli collected a 2.95 goals-against average and a .900 save percentage in 34 appearances. He will play for Wisconsin in the fall.
Jack Nesbitt (F, L, 6’5”, 187, Windsor Spitfires, 01/12/2007, Michigan)
A 2025 first-round pick of the Philadelphia Flyers, Nesbitt had 25 goals and 58 points this season with the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires. He will play for Michigan in the fall.
Nesbitt’s size and skill are big reasons as to why he is a top prospect.
“Nesbitt’s ability to create scoring chances is rooted in his physical presence and playmaking skills. He excels at establishing a strong body position in front of the net, allowing him to absorb contact and maintain possession of the puck. His touch in tight spaces enables him to finish plays with precision, often resulting in second-chance opportunities. While his goal-scoring methods may not be flashy, they demonstrate an effective understanding of how to create scoring chances through hard work and determination.”
Eetu Orpana (F, L, 6’1”, 197, Dubuque Fighting Saints, 04/17/2007, Wisconsin)
In his first season with the Saints, Orpana collected 15 goals and 44 points. He will head to Wisconsin and join the Badgers in the fall.
Orpana is a versatile player who creates scoring opportunities.
“Eetu Orpana is a solid two-way center who impacts the game at both ends of the ice, the kind of player coaches value for reliability and effort. He reads plays well, supports teammates in the defensive zone, and can play physically when needed. He controls pucks under pressure (especially along the walls), keeping composure to make smart plays rather than panicking and turning it over. Offensively, Orpana is effective on the rush and aggressive near the net. He uses his strength to establish position in the blue paint and can finish around the crease.”
Urban Podrekar (D, L, 5’11”, 204, Flint Firebirds, 02/14/2005, Ferris State)
In his final OHL season with the Flint Firebirds, Pondrekar had 11 goals and 50 points in 67 games. He will play at Ferris State in the fall.
Podrekar influences the game when he has the puck.
“Urban is a skilled two-way defenseman known for his dynamic playstyle. His smooth skating allows him to move effectively in all directions, making him a strong defender against rushes and in-zone plays. He excels at using his speed and separation to control opponents near the net. When possessing the puck, Urban quickly identifies passing lanes and delivers accurate passes to his teammates. In transition, he can use his speed to outmaneuver opponents on the breakout and zone entries. His ability to cover both defensive and offensive aspects of the game is notable. Urban also shows poise in key situations, such as driving down the walls with the puck in the offensive zone and making precise centering passes. He effectively leads his team’s powerplay unit, demonstrating mobility along the blue line.”
Darels Uljanskis (D, L, 6’2”, 194, Flint Firebirds, 08/25/2006, St. Cloud State)
A 2024 seventh-round pick of the Anaheim Ducks, Uljanskis suited up for Firebirds this year, putting up 26 points from the blueline. He will play at St. Cloud State next season.
by Sebastian Zucchet
Sebastian Zucchet is a freelance sports reporter from Toronto and someone who deeply enjoys hockey.