The NCAA playoffs are nearly complete, and unsigned players teams are beginning to ink deals with NHL clubs.
We’ve already covered a few of our favourites here at CanucksArmy, but there is a long list of intrigue-producing players in the collegiate system.
Today, we thought we’d take one last kick at the can before all players become available.
Before we proceed, we thought we’d clarify our lack of CHL potential targets. While this year’s crop includes a few intriguing options, it’s important to note that the recent changes to NCAA eligibility have vastly changed our environment.
For the first time, CHL players are now eligible to commit to schools of their choice, which has given the overaged crop a much different outlook. These days, many of the league’s top undrafted players have already committed to an NCAA school, likely making them a long shot at signing pro contracts.
There may be a world where they change course and decommit, but there’s a good chance that most flock over to experience the college hockey environment.
Let’s continue with some NCAA forwards that have piqued our interest.
Luke Haymes, Dartmouth College
Position: Centre| Shoots: Left | Height/Weight: 6-foot-1, 200 pounds | Age: 21
These days, you need more than flashy numbers on the stat sheet as an undrafted NCAA free agent. So far, Luke Haymes is a solid bet as a player who brings the entire package to the table.
Sidelined early this season with a broken hand, he’s managed to put up a respectable season with 12 goals and six assists in 21 games for a .86 point-per-game clip. That follows up a strong 36 points in 31 games sophomore season last year.
Haymes is a tenacious, gritty forward who blends a powerful shot with high-skill finishes—deflections, in-tight spins, and curl-and-drag wristers—that rack up high-danger chances.
Whether it’s off the rush, unloading one-timers or catch-and-release shots under pressure, the Ottawa native showcases NHL-calibre scoring instincts. Additionally, his forechecking is relentless. He wins puck battles through sheer will, rolls off checks to cut inside, and retrieves pucks multiple times per shift to create for himself and his teammates.
Defensively, Haymes is just as impactful. He is an aggressive down-low presence who comes out on top during board battles, seals opponents with hits, and eliminates passing lanes with an active motor. His hockey sense and two-way reliability shine across all zones.
With NCAA free agents, you can’t rely solely on statistics, and Luke Haymes brings the additional intangibles you would love to see as an NHL hopeful.
Liam McLinskey, College of the Holy Cross
Position: Right Wing | Shoots: Right | Height/Weight: 6-foot-3, 185 pounds | Age: 24
Liam McLinskey has emerged as a standout NCAA free-agent candidate in 2025, blending playmaking finesse with a noteworthy scoring touch for Holy Cross.
As a senior winger, he’s the Crusaders’ top producer and one of college hockey’s elite scorers, posting 23 goals for 51 points in 39 games this season—a career-high pace that ranks him third nationwide.
His terrific season caps off an incredible four-year run. In 120 games, he’s scored over 123 points per game, split evenly between 63 goals and 60 assists.
His creativity and vision shine. His excellent hands and high hockey IQ let him thread cross-ice passes or set up teammates with backhand feeds, making him a power-play maestro who freezes defenders and exploits gaps.
McLinskey’s shot is a weapon, too—precise far-side releases that beat goalies clean, often rushing past attackers to finish plays himself.
At 185 lbs, he’s not imposing, per se, but his determination and smart play compensate, allowing him to adapt across game situations and deliver secondary scoring.
Defensively, he’s no slouch, showing strong positioning and awareness that round out a two-way game. He’s a leader and a dual-threat contributor and should garner some good interest this spring.
The Atlantic Hockey Conference is known as a much less star-studded group, so questions about whether that explosive offensive production will translate are valid. Yet, given the pedigree, he has a high chance of grabbing a contract.
Carter King, University of Denver
Position: Forward| Shoots: Left | Height/Weight: 5-foot-10, 190 pounds | Age: 23
From a single season with the Surrey Eagles (BCHL) in 2019-20 to earning the captain’s “C” for 2024-25 with Denver University, it’s been a wild ride for Cater King—a wild ride driven by top-notch work ethic.
Now a senior, he’s blossomed into a top threat, posting a career-high 20 goals and 38 points in 39 games, ranking fourth on a high-octane Pioneers team.
The production is nice, but the relentless, pest-like attitude is what truly drives us toward his game. No matter the zone, he’s crashing and banging, driving the net, winning puck battles and using his non-stop motor wherever he goes.
That motor is useful in all situations, including killing penalties and high-pressure moments. He may not be the flashiest player at the next level, but you can almost guarantee that coaches will love his presence.
While his overall upside may cap out as an energizer bunny on the bottom six, he screams “fan favourite,” and with a BC tie, perhaps the Canucks can get the inside track on his rights.
Jack Stockfish, College of Holy Cross
Position: Centre| Shoots: Right | Height/Weight: 6-foot-4, 220 pounds | Age: 22
Are you looking for a 6-foot-4 rangy centre? Well, Holy Cross’ Jack Stockfish may be the target for you.
Right off the bat, it’s clear that his size is the first thing that jumps off the page, and he uses that plus size to his advantage. He uses that powerful frame to protect the puck and drive toward the net, creating tons of chances at the netfront.
While he hasn’t necessarily blown the stat sheet up, he’s maintained his freshman-year pace, with 15 goals and 27 points through 35 games to 52 points in 67 games through his first two years at school.
Defensively, he’s no bystander, boxing out attackers at the net and supporting teammates with smart positioning across all zones.
His power-forward build, decent skating, and stickhandling make him an intriguing project for pro teams. Stockfish projects as a bottom-six center with middle-six upside, needing AHL time to polish his game.
Christian Fitzgerald, University of Wisconsin
Position: Centre/Left Wing | Shoots: Left | Height/Weight: 6-foot-0, 191 pounds | Age: 22
Christian Fitzgerald transferred from Minnesota State two summers ago and has been playing for the Wisconsin Badgers, where he’s been touted for his scrappy, all-around game.
While production is slightly down from his average, the Coquitlam native has carved out a respectable 70 points (29 goals, 41 assists) through 112 games.
At 6-foot, 191 lbs, he’s not the largest specimen, but he’s fearless, thriving in the dirty areas and cashing in close-range chances.
Fitzgerald’s game is a mix of grit and savvy. He’s a tireless pest on the forecheck, darting around with quick feet and a sharp mind to force mistakes, while his wrist shot and clever setups keep defences honest.
Hey, he’s a Coquitlam native and has attended the Vancouver Canucks’ development camp in 2023. How could he not be a potential target?
Riley Thompson, Ohio State University
Position: Centre/Left Wing | Shoots: Left | Height/Weight: 6-foot-4, 215 pounds | Age: 22
Riley Thompson is a prime 2025 NCAA free-agent candidate thanks to a potent mix of physical presence, finesse, and sharp hockey sense.
Following a transfer from Alaska-Anchorage—where he recorded 24 points in 34 games during the 2023-24 season—he’s earned career-highs in Ohio, notching 17 goals and 32 points in 38 games for Ohio State, placing him third among Buckeyes skaters.
Thompson’s fluid skating and deft puck control allow him to weave through traffic, using his big frame to protect the puck and open up scoring opportunities.
His game isn’t just about offence; Thompson brings a reliable two-way presence. He’s defensively savvy and adept at neutralizing threats by muscling opponents away from the net and reinforcing his team’s backcheck. At the same time, his physical edge grinds down rivals over the course of a game.
Speed isn’t his forte, but his efficient stride complements his power-forward approach, making him a natural fit for a bottom-six NHL role with the potential to climb into the middle-six if he refines his pace.
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