Welcome to part 2 of this series where we rank the top NCAA Men's hockey freshmen coming into the 2023-24 season. If you missed part 1 make sure to look back at where forwards 6-10 ranked.
Let's finish up the rankings by looking at the final five forwards coming into the 2023-24 season.
1.) Will Smith C, Boston College, SJS
I debated putting Will Smith at two and Macklin Celebrini at one but I just couldn't disregard what Smith has done. The fourth overall pick by the San Jose Sharks broke records for the USNTDP.
Smith played 60 games for the NTDP last year where he notched 51 goals and 127 points playing on a line with Gabe Perreault and Ryan Leonard. Smith ranks second all-time for the NTDP with 191 points over two seasons, trailing only 2019 first-overall pick Jack Hughes for the most in NTDP history.
The 6-foot-0 forward has tremendous puck skills and vision which makes him a very big offensive threat. Smith skates well and makes a lot of plays off the rush which turns into high danger chances. Playing on a good BC team, Smith should stand out.
2.) Macklin Celebrini C, Boston University
If you're just a college hockey fan in general try to watch any Boston game. Whether it is BU or BC you will be entertained. Macklin Celebrini is the projected No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming 2024 NHL draft and for good reason.
Celebrini led the USHL in scoring and was named the USHL Player of the Year and he did that all at age 16. His schooling has been accelerated as he will be a 17-year-old freshman at Boston University this year.
He was a dynamic scorer in the USHL and has shown his crazy offensive abilities throughout the year. He will be a star at BU even though it will probably only be for one year as he will leave for the NHL next year or AHL.
Celebrini handles the puck very well and is strong on his stick. He's a good skater who understands where to go and be at any given moment.
3.) Oliver Moore C, Minnesota, CHI
When you say Oliver Moore's name, I immediately think of speed, this kid can fly. He was the fastest skater in the 2023 draft where the Chicago Blackhawks took him with pick No. 19.
The product of Mounds View, Minnesota, is the combination of speed, energy, and skill. Moore wants the puck on his stick at all times and that's a trait that sets him apart from a lot of players.
He will use his speed to disrupt plays, break out of the defensive zone, and fly past defenders. Not only does he fly past defenders but he can also put a move on defenders and beat you 1-on-1 with a dangle.
Moore wasn't talked about that much last year with the USNTDP but that was only because Smith was breaking records and Gabe Perreault and Ryan Leonard, both Smith's linemates, were lighting up the score sheet as well.
That being said, I don't think it's that crazy to say Moore will be more electrifying to watch than Perreault and Leonard and that's why I have Moore ranked higher.
4.) Gabe Perreault LW, Boston College, NYR
I'm going to stick by my Moore placement but I don't want that to be a knock on Gabe Perreault as he is such an electrifying player. In 53 games for the NTDP last year, Perreault notched 53 goals and 132 points.
His 132-point season shattered Auston Matthews' record for most points in a single season in USNTDP history. Matthews had 117 during the 2014-25 year. Yet, Perreault fell all the way in the draft to 23rd overall.
The New York Rangers made no mistake drafting the dynamic scoring winger with their first-round pick.
There are a lot of people who flaw players based on their skating ability, although Perreault might not be the prettiest of skaters, I don't think it's gonna matter when you're talking about such an offensive threat in Perreault.
5.) Ryan Leonard RW, Boston College, WSH
The Washington Capitals drafted Ryan Leonard with the eighth overall pick in the 2023 draft and we are ranking him at No. 5 on our list. This just goes to show you how good the freshmen class is this year.
Leonard has such a unique skill set, he's a power forward who has a lot of offensive skill. The 6-foot, 192-pound forward is very physical but also scored 51 goals in 54 games for the NTDP.
He's a threat on the ice to score but also brings physicality and defensive play which is fun to watch. He was a part of such a dynamic scoring line at the NTDP and I would imagine Boston College would incorporate that line to start the season.