Take a look at this week's top NCAA committed players in junior hockey, ready to make their mark at the collegiate level.
The next generation of NCAA Division I Hockey players almost always go through junior hockey at one of the six top junior leagues in North America. These leagues are the Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League, Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League, United States Hockey League, North American Hockey League and BCHL. The top players this week are listed are in alphabetical order by their last name, not their league.
Poul Andersen: Forward, Red Deer Rebels (WHL). University of Maine
What a stretch for the future Black Bear! Andersen went on a tear this past weekend collecting seven points (4 goals + 3 assists) through three games. What makes this more impressive is that those numbers came amidst Red Deer losing two of those three games. The one game the Rebels won was enough to edge out the Moose Jaw Warriors by a single for the final WHL Playoff Spot. Red Deer matches up against the WHL's second best regular season team in the Prince Albert Raiders. I can see an NHL team using a late round draft pick on Andersen depending on what he does this postseason.
Linards Feldbergs: Goaltender, Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL). Merrimack College
Feldbergs is on the verge of Stampede history after his performance against the Sioux City. The Ogre, Latvia native extended his win streak to nine games with two victories versus the Musketeers. His second triumph on Saturday tied Sioux Falls' single season wins at 34 with four regular season games remaining. Feldbergs' first opportunity to break the record comes tomorrow night against the Omaha Lancers.
Ryder Fetterolf: Goaltender, Ottawa 67s (OHL). Penn State University
This rookie netminder continue to shine in the Canadian capital. I featured Fetterolf previously on Committed Corner, but his continued success is impossible to pass up. Fetterolf was named OHL Rookie and Goaltender of the Month for March. He capped off March with a remarkable two game performance stopping 46 of 51 shots on the weekend, earning a .904 save percentage. The 15th ranked North American goaltender in NHL Central Scouting’s mid-term rankings is no doubt catching the eyes of many teams for this upcoming draft.
Ryan Franks: Forward, Maryland Black Bears (NAHL). Canisius University
Franks has been red hot while on a six game point streak. While on this productive stretch, Franks has 10 points (5 goals + 5 assists). He notched five of those points (4 goals + 1 assist) this weekend, helping Maryland sweep the weekend. The regular season champion Black Bears have two games remaining before embarking on a playoff quest for the Robertson Cup. The more Franks heats up, the better Maryland will do as they tango with the NAHL's top teams. Canisius will benefit from his offense when he arrives this fall after aging out of juniors.
Nico Grabas: Forward, Chilliwack Chiefs (BCHL). Canisius University
A second of Canisius commit this week, Grabas captured six points evenly distributed across three games this past week. The future Golden Griffin now sits atop the BCHL with 74 points in 48 games, one ahead of his teammate Jack Plandowski. Grabas is currently maintaining a six game point streak with 10 (4 goals + 6 assists). Chilliwack has a pair of regular season contests remaining before locking in their pursuit of a Rogers BCHL Cup.
Félix Lacerte Forward, Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL). University of Vermont
Seven points (2 goals + 5 assists) in two games gets Lacerte on this week of Committed Corner. Lacerte helped drive Shawinigan's offense to a combined 16-4 win over the Victoriaville Tigres. He was also previously invited to 2024 Minnesota Wild Development Camp. The QMJHL playoffs start Friday for Shawinigan and Lacerte against Sherbrooke, Phœnix. If Lacerte sustains his offense, he may have plenty of invitations waiting for him this summer.