There's always the big-name freshman who comes in and competes for major awards, well, what about the lower-end players who can step in and play a role for their team right away?
It’s easy to look at and praise the freshmen who step onto the ice and dominate the scoresheet every weekend, but a lot of teams require freshmen to be role players. They will be relied on to forecheck, backcheck, play defense, and essentially do the dirty work. So here are the freshmen who can make the most impact for their team without producing a ton of points.
Jack Hextall - Center - Michigan State
Hextall was drafted 30th overall by the Calgary Flames this past June, and he brings good defensive instincts and a great work ethic to go with it. Although he put up 58 points in 59 games last season with the Youngstown Phantoms, I don’t expect him to have the same opportunity.
Hextall will become very valuable if he can become elite on the faceoff dot. He already has a great skill set in his own zone, and if he’s able to add that element to his game, he’ll bring an insane amount of value to Michigan State
Casey Mutryn - Right Winger - Boston College
The best way to describe Mutryn is that he’s an Energizer Bunny. He hunts pucks down, and with his six-foot-three, 203-pound frame, he uses that hunger to flatten players along the wall. Boston College has a lot of talent up front, and having a player who’s very solid off the puck allows them to possibly throw him on one of their top lines.
Mutryn has some offensive abilities; his hands are smooth, and he puts himself in great spots on the ice to receive passes, and a lot of the time, he’s fine as a trigger man. Overall, a solid player who can do a lot of the little things for BC next year.
Niklas Aarm-Olsen - Right Winger - Boston University
Aarom-Olsen has been a dominant player at the U20 level in Sweden and for Norway internationally. A well-rounded, reliable player with strong skating, defensive habits, and an excellent motor. He is a strong backchecker, supports all three zones, and could potentially play center or wing in the NHL.
His passing and ability to get shots through traffic are solid, but he lacks a standout offensive skill. He needs to improve his transition play, physical balance, and effectiveness in battles. Given how solid he is away from the puck and as a supporting piece, he would be a huge addition for BU.
Blake Fiddler - Defenseman - Denver
At six-foot-five, Fiddler has size, and when you watch the film, he uses it extremely well in his own zone. He has a strong presence in his own zone, where he has a high motor and is committed to playing in all situations. When you consider that Denver is bringing in Ryan Lin and Daxon Rudolph, they’ll need a shutdown, supportive piece, and that’s Fiddler.
He does it all defensively: he reads the play well and isn’t afraid to jump passing lanes to force a turnover, and when it comes to blocking shots, you don’t have to worry about him. Overall, he’s a key asset to any team, particularly in high-pressure situations like penalty kills and late-game scenarios.
