With the NCAA tournament officially underway, several players will begin to emerge as viable candidates for professional contracts over the next few weeks.

We’ve already highlighted a number of free agent names to watch, with one – Bennett Schimek – already securing an AHL deal with the Abbotsford Canucks.

But perhaps the most intriguing name lies in-house. Anthony Romani — the Vancouver Canucks’ 2024 sixth-round pick — has quietly put together a strong freshman season at Michigan State. His Spartans have advanced past the opening round of the NCAA tournament and are now sitting just one win away from punching their ticket to the Frozen Four in Las Vegas (April 9 and 11).

While his production began modestly, the Ontario native has steadily grown into his role on a deep Michigan State roster. Romani finished the regular season with 27 points (14 goals, 13 assists) in 35 games, ranking fifth on the team in scoring and sixth among conference freshmen. He hasn’t dominated, but he’s consistently found ways to contribute.

Much of that consistency can likely be attributed to stability and chemistry. Romani has spent most of the season alongside Eric Nilson and Ryker Lee, forming one of the nation’s most skilled and reliable third lines. He averages around 15 minutes per night and sees time on the secondary power play unit.

Now 21, we begin to look at whether he may be ready to take that next step or return for another year at Michigan State. Ultimately, he’s a player who could return and garner a much more impactful role for 2026-27. But the production he’s been able to produce in a limited number of minutes suggests that he may be ready to take on his next role. At least at the American League level.

The appeal of his game is clear, and it’s one that will translate easily once he makes that jump. That appeal is in his shot.

Romani is a natural goal scorer with a high-end release. That’s clearly evident in the 110 goals he scored during his 223-game OHL tenure. He can beat goaltenders from distance or in tight, picking corners with ease and getting his shot off quickly and cleanly. It’s a translatable NHL-ready trait and one that will keep him firmly on the radar as a potential pro contributor.

That scoring ability is supported by a strong hockey mind. Romani consistently finds soft areas, times his routes well, and puts himself in positions to capitalize. He’s effective in give-and-go situations and can make plays with touch and creativity. His on-and-off-puck habits are encouraging.

Those tools alone give him legitimate projection as an AHL scoring option, and potentially a player who could help address Abbotsford’s need for offence in the near term. The question, however, is how much more there is beyond the shot.

While his skating mechanics are sound, his overall pace is average. He’s not a true separation skater and will need to improve his speed and transition play to keep up at higher levels. Despite a solid frame at 6-foot-1, 195 pounds, his physical engagement and compete level can also come into question. He doesn’t consistently leverage his size and can play a more passive style, lacking the motor that often elevates players with similar toolkits. Ultimately, Romani’s path will hinge on his ability to round out those secondary elements of his game. But you take the cons with the pros, and those pros could be significant enough to grow into a true secondary scoring option. For now, the AHL is the perfect breeding ground to test those abilities.

It’s no secret that the baby Canucks could use as much help as possible, so there’s a good chance that he’d see significant time, starting with his debut. While Romani isn’t an undrafted free agent, he may very well end up being one of their most impactful NCAA additions this year.