Dominant freshmen and decorated veterans headline the race for an All-American nod out west.
Every year, the American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) selects its All-Americans, split up into West and East Teams. Here are the front runners to be selected in 2027. All players are listed alphabetically within their position.
Goaltender: Caleb Heil, Freshman, University of North Dakota
Heil is likely to dominate in college hockey, no different than during his tenure in the USHL. During the 2026 Clark Cup Playoffs, Heil put up a USHL best .944 save percentage through 11 starts. Madison did not even make the Clark Cup Finals, amplifying the significance of this statistic. The Tampa Bay prospect also played a period of preseason hockey plus overtime, and a shootout, going a perfect seven for seven.
I consider Heil to be both an All-American and Tim Taylor favorite plus a Mike Richter dark horse . This 2025 seventh rounder is shaping up to be a possible draft steal, much to the benefit of the Fighting Hawks.
Defenseman: Ty Hanson, Junior, University Minnesota–Duluth
Talk about a breakout campaign. Hanson had a remarkable sophomore season while serving as an alternate captain. Duluth's best defenseman accumulated 36 points (10 goals + 26 assists) in 40 games. What makes this more impactful to me is that Hanson accomplished this as a 2005 birth year, still technically eligible for junior hockey.
If Hanson does earn a spot as a First Team All-American, he will have moved up a level after being named to the Second Team in 2025. I am confident he will be in the running.
Jun 26, 2026; Buffalo, New York, USA; Daxon Rudolph poses with (from left) NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, Buffalo Sabres player Josh Doan, Buffalo Bills former player Thurman Thomas and Bills player Dion Dawkins as after being selected with the fourth pick in the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft by the Sabres at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn ImagesDefenseman: Daxon Rudolph, Freshman, University of Denver
The most recent fourth overall pick will fit right in at Denver. Rudolph has moves the puck very well and his offensive contributions cannot be overstated. His excellent forecheck and reliable backcheck make the Pioneers better on all 200 feet of ice. Rostering Rudolph with his old Prince Albert teammate Max Heise adds a degree of synergy that can spread throughout the lineup.
As a right shot, Rudolph can be placed with any of the numerous lefties. This makes him both more valuable and versatile than other blueliners. Add in his imposing 6 foot 3, 216 pound frame and Rudolph can be an intense jack of all trades for Denver.
Forward: Max Plante, Senior, University Minnesota–Duluth
I'm not sure how Plante could top his performance from last year. The reigning Hobey Baker winner racked up 52 points (25 goals + 27 assists) across 40 games. Detroit's 2024 second Rounder polished his defensive game going from a freshman +5 rating to a +19 rating as a sophomore. 2027 would be Plante's second consecutive First Team All American.
While I didn't have Minnesota Duluth as an early Frozen Four favorite, if Plante gels well with senior transfer Barrett Hall, the Bulldogs could surprise some people.
Michigan forward Jayden Perron (18) looks to pass the puck against Denver defenseman Boston Buckberger (9) during the third period of the Frozen Four semifinal at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 9, 2026Forward: Jayden Perron, Senior, University of Michigan
A change of scenery can do a player wonders. Just ask Jayden Perron! The Hurricanes' 2023 third rounder had a return to form after transferring from North Dakota to Michigan. Perron went from a sophomore year with 19 points (10 goals + 9 assists) to 41 points (18 goals + 23 assists) his junior year.
Michigan has extra motivation this season, coming up a goal short of advancing to the National Championship Game. That double overtime heartbreaker will invigorate the Wolverines toward a possible title. If Perron stays on course, Michigan could move further ahead and he will be a surefire bet for All-American consideration.
