The college hockey season is wrapping up for a lot of teams around the country. We still have 16 teams who will begin participating in the NCAA tournament on Friday.
We’ve entered the time of the year where college free agents are pursued by NHL teams looking to improve their roster. This year has one of the better potential free agent classes we’ve seen in a while.
Daniel Brickley | Minnesota State (Mankato) – D
Brickley is arguably the top available free agent on the market. The 22-year-old followed up a good sophomore season when he had 31 points in 31 games, with 10 goals and 35 points in 39 games this season as a junior.
He has good size at 6’3” and 205 pounds. Brickley has a good shot from the point and instincts that make him ready to step right into the NHL.
Brickley spent time with the Sabres as a development camp invite back in 2016.
Jimmy Schuldt | St. Cloud State University – D
Schuldt is the teammate of Sabres prospect Will Borgen at the top-ranked St. Cloud State University. He’s been the captain of the Huskies for the past two seasons. He’s also a Hobey Baker top 10 finalist this season
The 22-year-old defender has 10 goals and 38 points in 39 games this season. Schuldt is another blueliner with a great shot and offensive ability that has caught the eyes of scouts around the league.
If St. Cloud State makes a long run in the tournament as expected. He may not sign with a team until the final week of the season or later.
The Sabres may have interest in Schuldt to not only boost their defense but also as a recruiting tool with Borgen if they approach him about a contract this summer.
Do you ever just see a play start and know that Jimmy Schuldt is about to make all your goal scoring dreams come true? Yeah? Well, see below. #SchuldtForHobey pic.twitter.com/5GppL0BibU
— SCSU Men’s Hockey (@SCSUHUSKIES_MH) March 10, 2018
Max Veronneau | Princeton University – F
Veronneau is nominated for the Hobey Baker award this season. The 22-year-old had 17 goals and 55 points in 35 games for the Tigers. He’s a good skater and has been one of the best playmakers in college hockey this season.
Like Schuldt, the Ottawa native is still playing. Princeton and Veronneau face the top seed in their bracket, Ohio State on Saturday.
🚨 GOOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLLLL @puhockey goal scored by #15 Max Veronneau
PU eads 3-1#TigerUp #ForTheFans #GameOn #ECAC #ECACHockey pic.twitter.com/TD70Xr2OcB
— ElevenSportsUSA (@ElevenSportsUSA) March 16, 2018
Brady Ferguson | Robert Morris University – F
Ferguson doesn’t see the best competition playing for Robert Morris in the AHC Conference. Nonetheless, he’ll garner some attention from NHL teams over the next few weeks.
He has 18 goals and 49 points in 41 games for the Colonials this season. The senior forward has good size at 6’0” and 194 pounds. He also plays the left wing which is an area of huge need for the Sabres. Especially after the trade of Evander Kane.
Timmy Moore’s 12th goal of the season, with an assist from Brady Ferguson. RMU 2- Holy Cross 0. #ColonialPride pic.twitter.com/HiTMN2L9hN
— RMU Hockey (@RMUMHockey) March 11, 2018