Midseason leaps to the NCAA are rare, but these three prospects possess the skill and situational leverage to bolster collegiate rosters before the 2027 postseason.
It doesn't happen every day, but sometimes players advance to the NCAA from junior hockey at the semester break. The most significant example as of late was Mikhail Yegorov joining Boston University from the USHL's Omaha Lancers in January 2025. Here are three players who could follow that same path this coming season.
AJ Reyelts: Goaltender, Penticton Vees (University of Minnesota–Duluth)
Penticton had a remarkable during their inaugural WHL Season in 2025-26 and Reyelts was a force to be reckoned with between the pipes. He accumulated a 29-6-6 record through 43 games plus a .906 save percentage and 2.45 goals allowed average. All signs point to Reyelts continuing to wear the starters hat.
However, from an organizational standpoint, things are interesting for both Penticton and Duluth. Some of Penticton's important pieces started recently their NCAA journeys. Diego Johnson reported to Michigan State, Charlie Michaud headed to Penn State while Reyelts' goaltending partner Ethan McCallum is suiting up at RPI. Duluth lost starter Adam Gajan to the Chicago Blackhawks with no true successor lined up. As the Bulldogs all in for a Frozen Four bid behind Max Plante they may call up Reyelts if goaltending issues spring up.
Teddy Spitznagel: Forward, Ottawa 67s (Colorado College)
Last year, Colorado College lacked two things: physicality and depth. The Tigers tied for an NCHC low 95 goals. Nearly 30% of those tallies were scored by three players (Owen Beckner, Drew Montgomery and Klavs Veinbergs) Colorado also finished third from the bottom via 316 penalty minutes. These stats culminated in a quarterfinal loss against Western Michigan.
Teddy Spitznagel appears to be the answer to both questions. He won a 2025 Clark Cup with the USHL's Muskegon Lumberjacks before starting his schooling at University of Michigan. Spitznagel did not play a game for the Wolverines and returned to junior hockey on the OHL's Ottawa 67s. The New York native accrued 11 points (2 goals + 9 assists) amidst 30 contests. If Colorado is looking for a second semester spark, Spitznagel is certainly a viable solution.
Andrew O'Sullivan: Defenseman, Green Bay Gamblers (Dartmouth College)
The Big Green is ready for another tournament appearance. Dartmouth rolled through the ECAC Playoffs by a combined score of 14-3 before being eliminated by runner up Wisconsin in the Worcester NCAA Tournament Regional Semifinal. However, Dartmouth will have to do it with eight new players, including two defensemen. This is where Green Bay's top blueliner comes in.
O'Sullivan would likely not play his typical top paring role if he were brought in, especially midseason. However, O'Sullivan's combination of speed and skill make him a versatile piece for Head Coach Reid Cashman. Dartmouth could use O'Sullivan as both a reinforcement and offensive spark plug for the Big Green. In 2025-26, O'Sullivan finished third among all USHL Defensemen notching 42 points (7 goals +39 assists), a 155% increase from his 18 point 2024-25. Should Green Bay and Dartmouth be outside of playoff contention come the holidays, the Big Green might consider O'Sullivan.
