College hockey is loaded with talent, and with so many big names gearing up, who are the most underrated freshmen this season?
With so many high-profile players gearing up for their first year of college hockey, a lot of other freshmen have been thrown to the side and aren’t receiving the same love. They may not finish at the top of the points leaders, but they’ll be impact players who can make a real difference in whether or not their team can win on a given night. So let’s take a look at some of the more underrated incoming freshmen.
Jack Hextall - Michigan State
Hextall was taken 30th in the 2026 NHL draft by the Calgary Flames. Yes, he’s a first-rounder, but when you consider the other freshmen on the roster, players like Chase Reid, Ethan Belchetz, and Tommy Bleyl, their names have gotten a lot more attention.
Hextall plays a strong two-way game where he’ll do whatever it takes to win. He will likely be in a bottom-six shutdown role, which he can play. He also has some great offensive instincts and will be able to play up and down the lineup as the year goes on. He had 58 points in the USHL last season for the Youngstown Phantoms, and although I wouldn’t expect a number close to that whatsoever, if he gets an opportunity early, he has the talent to produce at the college level while still being solid in his own end.
Blake Zielinski - Providence College
Zielinski was a third-round pick by the L.A. Kings this past summer, and he brings some very important elements to the Friars. At six feet, 187 pounds, he’s not massive by any means, but when he turns it on, he’s a human wrecking ball, and nobody can stop him.
He’s a very straightforward player; he plays a direct game, is good on the forecheck, has a solid motor, and he fights for every loose puck. He’s a fairly simple player on the offensive end; at times he can float around and look invisible, but there are also a lot of moments where he finds himself in great spots and has a great shot release to finish in those opportunities. He fits the style that Providence wants to play and will play an important role for them all season.
Adam Benak - Western Michigan University
Benak was a highly touted prospect out of Czechia. But due to his size, he fell to the fourth round in the 2025 draft to the Minnesota Wild. He played in Brantford last season in the OHL, where he had 77 points in 48 games.
Benak has a motor that will energize an entire team, and when you look at the pace and skill he plays with, he’s going to compete for top-line minutes right away. If he’s able to play within the physicality that college hockey has, he’s going to be a huge piece for Western Michigan in their pursuit of a national title.
