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.
Quinn Beauchesne (D, R, 6’0”, 187, Guelph Storm, 03/01/2007, Boston College)
A 2025 fifth-roubd pick of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Beauchesne appeared in 56 games for the OHL’s Guelph Storm this season, collecting seven goals and 35 points. He also got into one game with the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. He will play for Boston College next season.
Beauchesne’s offensive talents are impressive.
“Beauchesne is a fluid-skating defenseman who frequently joins the rush. He isn’t afraid to take risks, often jumping into the play and sometimes getting below the opposing team’s goal line. He finds pockets in the offensive zone to get shots on net and can dive in to the crease for loose pucks in front of the net. His calculated risks are often rewarded, as he contributes offensively through both shooting and strong vision. While he isn’t an overly defensive defenseman, his skating allows him to maintain good gaps, and his hockey IQ enables him to read the play effectively.”
Ryder Cali (F, L, 6’2”, 206, North Bay Battalion, 09/06/2008, Providence College)
A product of Orillia, Ont., Cali collected 16 goals and 36 points with the OHL’s North Bay Battalion this year. He will play at Providence College next season.
Cali mixes size and skill to make an impact.
“Cali showcases a strong offensive skillset, particularly in power play situations where they excel at finding open teammates at the half wall. They demonstrate excellent passing skills, displaying good vision on the ice. When necessary, they can also play physically and maintain a high level of competition.”
Tanner Duncan (F, L, 5’10”, 180, Maryland Black Bears, 07/17/2005, Stonehill)
In his overage season with the NAHL’s Maryland Black Bears, Duncan was a key part in helping his team lift the Robertson Cup, collecting 28 goals and 75 points. He also had six goals and 21 points in ten playoff games. He will play for Stonehill next season.
NZ scouts gave Duncan an “A-“ rating in a game report.
“Duncan is an athletic two-way center who made a huge impact in the game for the Black Bears, recording two points, while making some notable plays in the defensive zone. Committed to Stonehill College, Tanner is a mobile skater with good edges and has noticeable stickhandling skills and smooth hands, where he deked out a few defenseman down low. Has very good offensive instincts and always seems to be around the puck, looking for possession or supporting his linemates along the walls. Worked well with Smith on several shifts and generated some give-and-gos, including the first goal, where he read the defenseman, crashed the net, and snapped a quick-release wrist shot past Andersen. Shoots the puck well, but was turned away down low and around the net. Works hard on the defensive end, backchecking and forechecking, and collapsing in the slot where he picked up open forwards. In OT, he blocked a shot, stacking his pads, giving the Bears possession, where they worked the puck up the ice, leading to the game-winning goal by Anes and a NAHL Championship.”
Matty Hauser (D, R, 6’3”, 181, Minnesota Wilderness, 06/21/2007, St. Cloud State)
A product of Rogers, Minn., Hauser split time this year between Rogers High and the NAHL’s Minnesota Wilderness. Across a combined 39 games, the 6-foot-3 defender collected 37 points. He will play for the WHL’s Edmonton Oil Kings next season before heading to St. Cloud State in the fall of 2027.
Hauser got a B+ grade from NZ scouts in a player report.
“For a player coming right out of high school hockey, Hauser was able to show consistently that his footwork is smooth rather than explosive, but it is good enough to close gaps early, handle retrievals under pressure, and transition pucks cleanly out of traffic. He reads the defensive zone well, uses his reach and positioning to cut off the middle of the ice, and rarely panics with the puck on his stick. When the lane opens, he can carry through the neutral zone and attack off the blue line. He plays a raw game, showing some turnovers at times and inexperience with when and where to be offensive, but it was good to see that the skill is there and that he wants to make plays with the puck.”
William Lacelle (G, L, 6’1”, 176, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, 12/26/2007, Nebraska-Omaha)
A go-to player for the QMJHL’s Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, Lacelle collected a 2.11 goals-against average and a .915 save percentage in 21 appearances. Lacelle will join Nebraska-Omaha in the fall.
NZ scouts liked Lacelle’s performance against Cape Breton.
“Lacelle only faced seventeen shots tonight but stopped them all confidently. At times, it can be difficult to stay locked in when a goalie in not facing a ton of shots but for Lacelle, he did a good job at fighting that. He did a good job at not leaving many second chance rebounds but when it did happen, he remained athletic in order to recover. One of the better parts to his game is the way he is able to attack a shooter himself and cut the angles.”
Maël Lavigne (F, L, 6’4”, 195, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, 02/11/2005, Nebraska-Omaha)
An overager with the Armada this season, Lavigne scored 22 goals and collected 48 points in 60 games. He will play at Nebraska-Omaha next season.
Mason McElroy (G, L, 5’10”, 171, Fairbanks Ice Dogs, 03/13/2006, St. Cloud State)
A member of the NAHL’s Fairbanks Ice Dogs, McElroy posted a 2.74 GAA and a .894 SP in 28 appearances this season. He’ll play at St. Cloud State in the fall.
McElroy impressed NZ scouts in a game report.
“McElroy’s performance in this game was strong as he stopped 22 of 25 shots. His position allowed him to make key saves on high-percentage shots. He showed awareness, reacting quickly to loose pucks and intercepting passes. In terms of puck handling, McElroy demonstrated solid technique, making smooth transitions from one save to the next without losing composure. His ability to read the game and anticipate plays was evident, as he consistently positioned himself in a way that limited scoring opportunities for the opposing team. McElroy controlled rebounds easily and was quick to cover up on loose pucks.”
Miles Roberts (G, L, 6’3”, 200, Fairbanks Ice Dogs, 02/04/2005, Northern Michigan)
A member of the NAHL’s Fairbanks Ice Dogs, Roberts appeared in 34 regular-season games this season, posting a 2.19 GAA and a .922 SP. He will play at Northern Michigan in the fall.
Roberts is an athletic goaltender.
“He has fluid movement both laterally and in and out of the crease and plays the puck behind his net. He controlled his body well – didn’t over commit to the shot or the puck carrier and was positional in the net to cut down shooting angles and take away the net. A lot to like about his game.”
J.J. Salajko (G, R, 6’1”, 187, Watertown Shamrocks, 07/28/2006, Michigan State)
Salajko, a product of Worthington, Ohio, split time this past season between the NAHL’s Watertown Shamrocks and the USHL’s Waterloo Black Hawks. In 16 NAHL appearances, Salajko posted a 3.78 GAA and a .886 SP while putting up a 4.03 GAA and a .864 SP in three USHL games. He will play at Michigan State next season.
Salajko’s ability to remain calm has allowed him to find more success.
“The right-handed catching 2006 birth year plays a calm game setting his feet early which puts him in good positions for success. His movement is capable but his weight shifting away from center on movements early causes some hinderances widening him out and reducing power, something to watch for moving forward. Scanning frequently allows him to identify threats outside of the puck carrier and maintain his feet during movement which gives him his calm appearance providing him with more success.”
Illia Shybinskyi (F, L, 6’0”, 173, Guelph Storm, 05/13/2007, St. Lawrence)
A rookie with the OHL’s Guelph Storm this season, Shybinskyi scored 19 goals and 44 points in 60 games. He will play at St. Lawrence in 2027.
Shybinskyi is a quick player who makes an impact all over the ice.
“Illia Shybinskyi is a dynamic player who utilizes his speed and work ethic to control the tempo of the game. He excels at winning pucks through his aggressive forechecking and clever positioning. His agility allows him to navigate through tight spaces, making it difficult for defenders to keep up with him. Illia also possesses a strong physical presence, often using his body to separate opponents from the puck. On the power play, he showcases his offensive skills and is capable of playing on the flank unit.”
Adam Vigfusson (F, L, 5’10”, 161, Niverville Nighthawks, 08/09/2005, St. Cloud State)
Vigfusson was an integral part of Niverville’s run to the Centennial Cup title this season, putting up 26 goals and 61 points in 40 regular-season games and following that up with 31 points in 19 playoff and Centennial Cup games. He will play at St. Cloud State next season.
Vigfusson is a serious threat in the offensive zone.
“He sees the ice and anticipates well, which gets those linemates involved. However, his speed and mobility also let him create opportunities for himself.”
by Sebastian Zucchet
Sebastian Zucchet is a freelance sports reporter from Toronto and someone who deeply enjoys hockey.