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A Look At The Habs NCAA Draft Picks |
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The Montreal Canadiens did not have many prospects playing in the NCAA this season and those that did, were usually late round draft picks who in all likelihood will not don the bleu-blanc-rouge jersey any time soon. In any case, here is an update of the Canadiens NCAA prospects:
Jake Evans - 6’0, 190lbs, C/RW - University of Notre Dame
Evans was drafted in the 7th round of the 2014 NHL draft by the Canadiens. He elected to play in the OJHL in order to be eligible to go play in the NCAA with University of Notre Dame. Long considered somewhat of an afterthought, Evans had a breakthrough season in his sophomore year with the Fighting Irish, scoring 8 goals and adding 25 assists for 33 points in 37 games. As a freshman, he had recorded only 17 points in 41 games. He was rewarded with the team’s Most Improved Player award as a result of his great season. Evans has a strong hockey IQ and his coaches decided to make him a center this season as he is responsible and has strong playmaking skills. He needs to work on his skating and speed but do not look overlook Evans when considering the Canadiens prospects pool, he may just surprise in time.
Hayden Hawkey - 6’2”, 180lbs, G - Providence College
Hawkey has one of the best hockey names around and so he gets bonus points for that ;)
In all seriousness, Hawkey was an intriguing draft pick in the 6th round of the 2014 draft for the Canadiens. He was coming off of a stellar year with Omaha Lancers of the USHL in which he had 22 wins and an excellent 1.99 GAA and .926 save percentage. He took a step back though following his draft year as he tore both his ACL and MCL. At Providence as a freshman, Hawkey played behind starter Nick Ellis and only saw action in 5 games. He won his two starts and saw relief action in 3 other games. Hawkey will have an opportunity to grab the starting role in his sophomore season as Ellis was signed by the Edmonton Oilers after Providence’s season was over.
Nikolas Koberstein - 6’2”, 201lbs, D - University of Alaska-Fairbanks
Koberstein is a 5th round draft pick from 2014 yet again. However, Koberstein has struggled since he was drafted and his future does not look very promising. Koberstein is a big physical defenceman but has little offensive skill and needs to work on his skating. He only played in 23 games and found himself a healthy scratch on numerous occasions.
Colin Sullivan - 6’1, 207lbs, D - University of Miami-Ohio
Sullivan is the Canadiens eldest NCAA prospect, drafted in the 7th round of the 2011 draft. Sullivan is best known for changing his mind on schools and commitments. Originally he had committed to Yale but then decided to go to Boston College. After one season he fell off the depth chart and went back to the USHL. He has since played 2 seasons at the University of Miami-Ohio and will be entering his senior year this Fall. Sullivan dressed for only 15 games this past year and is unlikely to be in the Canadiens future plans.
Overall, it was not a very good year for Canadiens prospects in the NCAA. Evans was a pleasant surprise and hopefully he will be able to continue to progress in his junior year. Hawkey has potential as a goalie prospect but has to earn the starter’s role at Providence this Fall. Koberstein and Sullivan’s future in professional hockey is looking dim…
Cheers & follow along!
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
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