Our prospect expert ranks the players he's most excited to check out this season - and it's a good year to be in Boston.

Once again, it is time for my annual list of the top 100 men's NCAA players I'm excited to watch this season. 

For those who are new, this is not a "best college players" ranking, as I am focused on NHL prospects - there are certainly some great undrafted names out there who will make an impact, but that's not my list. I also tend to favor freshmen and sophomores, because they are the newest shiny things, though a lot of upperclassmen made the cut as well. And I don't set out to represent every program, though if someone is warranted, I do like to have as many teams as possible on the rankings.

This year, it's pretty obvious that Boston College and Boston University will be incredibly fun to watch (especially when they play each other), while Michigan State hits the list hard thanks to the recruiting acumen of second-year coach Adam Nightingale. And if I'm not mistaken, we've got some first-time schools on the list, including Dartmouth, Sacred Heart and St. Thomas.

And one final note: Maine's Artem Duda, an Arizona prospect, was not included because he was still getting cleared for eligibility by the NCAA. But if he does join the Black Bears (which could be any day now), he'll be big for them.

So here it is, the top 100 NCAA players to watch for 2023-24.

1. Mack Celebrini, C, Boston U. - The top prospect in the 2024 NHL draft brings his phenom skill set to the Terriers after blitzing the USHL last season. Makes everyone around him better.

2. Cutter Gauthier, C, Boston College - The Philadelphia Flyers first-rounder can build on his great frosh year by taking the Eagles to new heights as a sophomore.

3. Artyom Levshunov, D, Michigan State - Another top prospect for 2024, Levshunov gives the Spartans a big, strong, two-way defenseman to build around.

4. Will Smith, C, Boston College - The San Jose Sharks first-rounder leads that vaunted freshman NTDP class that will give the Eagles a huge offensive boost.

5. Ryan Leonard, RW, Boston College - Smith's liney at the NTDP is a Washington first-rounder who brings drive, scoring punch and the ability to help out on both special teams.

6. Trey Augustine, G, Michigan State - Freshmen goalies don't get more hyped than Augustine, but the Detroit Red Wings pick has proven to be talented beyond his years already.

7. Seamus Casey, D, Michigan - Devastating offensive defenseman is a New Jersey Devils pick who will be one to watch with both the Wolverines and Team USA's world junior squad.

8. Lane Hutson, D, Boston U. - The Montreal Canadiens pick has a similar resume to Casey; he'll be crucial for the Terriers and an important veteran for the Americans.

9. Michael Hrabal, G, UMass - One of the most exciting goalie prospects in the game, the Arizona Coyotes pick brings his big frame and great skill set to the Minutemen.

10. Jimmy Snuggerud, RW, Minnesota - His buddy Logan Cooley is gone, but Snuggerud, the St. Louis Blues first-rounder, has plenty of his own firepower to help pace the Golden Gophers.

11. Matthew Wood, RW, UConn - He was impressive as a freshman, now Wood comes back as a Nashville Predators first-rounder. Expect him to pile up the goals.

12. Tom Willander, D, Boston U. - The Vancouver Canucks first-rounder comes over from Sweden, where he had already proved himself as a tantalizing talent.

13. Charlie Stramel, C, Wisconsin - Big, strong and surly in front of the net, Stramel is a Minnesota Wild first-rounder who gets a new coach in Mike Hastings.

14. Zeev Buium, D, Denver - Buium, a 2024 draft prospect, joins older brother Shai in Denver. Zeev comes in as a true freshman after an impressive stint with the NTDP.

15. Gabe Perreault, LW, Boston College - The third member of BC's first-round NTDP haul, Perreault is a dazzling offensive machine, taken by the New York Rangers.

16. Oliver Moore, C, Minnesota - Another NTDP alum, Moore has some of the best wheels in the land. The Chicago Blackhawks grabbed him with the second first-rounder this summer.

17. Frank Nazar, C, Michigan - Like Moore, Nazar is a Chicago Blackhawks pick. Nazar missed a lot of his freshman campaign due to injury, but he'll be an important driver this season.

18. Scott Morrow, D UMass - The big Carolina Hurricanes prospect led the Minutemen in scoring as a sophomore - not bad considering he did it as a defenseman.

19. Rutger McGroarty, LW, Michigan - Back for his sophomore campaign, McGroarty is a Winnipeg Jets first-rounder who plays a smart, two-way game.

20. Arsenii Sergeev, G, UConn - One of the most intriguing goalie prospects in the game, Sergeev is a Calgary Flames pick coming off a solid freshman campaign.

21. Aku Koskenvuo, G, Harvard - He didn't see much action as a freshman, but expect more reps for the Finnish national as a sophomore. He's a Vancouver Canucks pick.

22. Ryan Chesley, D, Minnesota - With Brock Faber gone, the Gophers will need Chesley to step up on the blueline. The Washington Capitals pick has a lot of potential to do so.

23. Gavin Brindley, RW, Michigan - He had a fantastic frosh campaign with the Wolverines, now the feisty winger comes back as a Columbus Blue Jackets prospect.

24. Sean Behrens, D, Denver - An incredibly talented defenseman, Behrens is a Colorado Avalanche second-rounder looking for his second national championship with the Pioneers.

25. Isaac Howard, LW, Michigan State - Transferring from UMD, Howard will try to recapture the dynamic offense he had at the NTDP. He's a Tampa Bay Lightning first-rounder.

26. Danny Nelson, C, Notre Dame - The New York Islanders prospect comes to South Bend with a big frame and some great attributes he hopes to hone with the Fighting Irish.

27. Bradly Nadeau, LW, Maine - The Black Bears get a sharpshooter to boost their offense in Nadeau, who went to the Carolina Hurricanes in the draft this past summer.

28. William Whitelaw, RW, Wisconsin - He's the kind of player you hate to line up against because he's got grit, skill and speed. Whitelaw is a Columbus Blue Jackets pick.

29. Jackson Blake, RW, North Dakota - After leading the Fighting Hawks in scoring as a freshman, Blake returns for more. He's a Carolina Hurricanes prospect.

30. Sam Rinzel, D, Minnesota - A freshman Gopher with the chance to make an impact on the back end, the mobile Rinzel is a Chicago Blackhawks first-rounder.

31. Jack Peart, D, St. Cloud State - His sophomore totals were better than his frosh numbers - and they were already impressive. Peart is a Minnesota Wild prospect.

32. Jacob Fowler, G, Boston College - The Eagles have a ton of firepower but someone still has to stop pucks and Fowler, a Montreal Canadiens pick, is pretty good at doing that.

33. Shai Buium, D, Denver - Long, mobile and talented, Buium is ready for his junior campaign in Denver and now the Detroit Red Wings pick has younger brother Zeev to mentor.

34. Cam Lund, RW, Northeastern - Burgeoning power forward looked great at Team USA's summer world junior camp; Huskies will benefit again from the San Jose Sharks prospect.

35. Hoyt Stanley, D, Cornell - Mobile defenseman was a buzzed-about commodity out of the BCHL; the Ottawa Senators snapped up the Big Red commit in the fourth round.

36. Ben MacDonald, LW, Harvard - Heavy on potential, MacDonald is a great skater and two-way player just coming into his own. He's a Seattle Kraken draft pick.

37. Maxim Strbak, D, Michigan State - Slovakian national was a USHL standout and will undoubtedly play at the world juniors again; he's a Buffalo Sabres pick.

38. Stephen Halliday, C, Ohio State - As a freshman, he led the Buckeyes in scoring. Now the big, talented Ottawa Senators pick looks to build on his totals as a sophomore.

39. Aaron Pionk, D, Minnesota-Duluth - Late-blooming blueliner is a Minnesota Wild pick coming off a solid USHL season. Younger brother of NHLer Neal Pionk.

40. Jaroslav Chemelar, RW, Providence College - Aggressive power forward from Czechia is a New York Rangers prospect who can build off his freshman season with the Friars.

41. Emmett Croteau, G, Clarkson - The freshman joins the Golden Knights after a successful USHL career; he's another Montreal Canadiens goalie pick playing college hockey.

42. Cruz Lucius, RW, Wisconsin - The Carolina Hurricanes pick was a point-per-gamer and the Badgers' top scorer during his freshman campaign. Look for even more from the playmaker.

43. Kyle Kukkonen, RW, Michigan Tech - As a freshman, his 18 goals were tops on the Huskies and his 27 points put the Anaheim Ducks draft pick second on the squad.

44. Jonathan Castagna, C, Cornell - His combination of speed and nastiness make Castagna a pain to play against and the Arizona Coyotes pick comes into Ithaca with a nice two-way game.

45. Ryan Ufko, D, UMass - The Nashville Predators pick saw his numbers drop as a sophomore, but the talent is there for the offensive defenseman to rebound as a junior.

46. Quinn Finley, LW, Wisconsin - The freshman arrives via the USHL, where his combination of skill and grit will be welcomed. Finley is a New York Islanders draft pick.

47. Sam Lipkin, C, Quinnipiac - With the Bobcats defending as national champs, they'll have a target on their backs. Lipkin, the Arizona Coyotes pick, has the size and skill to help again.

48. Ryan Greene, C, Boston U. - Two-way center with terrific skating acumen, Greene is a Chicago Blackhawks pick who put up impressive numbers as a freshman.

49. Nick Moldenhauer, C, Michigan - Dynamic weapon was a high-scorer in the USHL. The Toronto Maple Leafs pick can help replenish some of the scoring Michigan lost over the summer.

50. Chase Clark, G, Sacred Heart - Netminder with awesome size (6-foot-6) transfers over from Quinnipiac to help out the Pioneers. Clark is a Washington Capitals prospect.

51. Ayrton Martino, LW, Clarkson - Slick playmaker bumped up his points as a sophomore and ended up as Clarkson's leading scorer. Martino's a Dallas Stars draft pick.

52. Aiden Fink, RW, Penn State - The Nashville Predators pick may be undersized, but he packs a ton of scoring punch in his frame. The AJHL product lit up the league last year.

53. Andre Gasseau, C, Boston College - Big center was one of the Eagles' top scorers as a freshman and now the team has more depth. He's a Boston Bruins pick.

54. Veeti Miettinen, RW, St. Cloud State - The Finnish winger and Toronto Maple Leafs pick made a big offensive leap last year; let's see how high he can push his numbers.

55. Philip Svedeback, G, Providence College - Big netminder was a starter for the Friars as a freshman and put up solid numbers. The Boston Bruins pick is back for more.

56. Garrett Brown, D, Denver - Defensive defenseman with NHL roots (dad Curtis Brown) brings size and championship experience. He's a Winnipeg Jets draft pick.

57. Ty Murchison, D, Arizona State - Murchison isn't here to score points, he's here to keep the opposition off the board. The Philadelphia Flyers drafted the big blueliner.

58. Dylan James, LW, North Dakota - Two-way forward who doesn't mind doing the corner work, James is a Detroit Red Wings pick coming off a solid freshman campaign.

59. Artem Shlaine, C, Northern Michigan - Shlaine himself has a nice gritty element to his game and put up great numbers with the Wildcats last year. He's a New Jersey Devils pick.

60. Noah Laba, C, Colorado College - The type of physical and aggressive forward you hate to play against, Laba is a New York Rangers prospect heading into his sophomore campaign.

61. Joaquim Lemay, D, Nebraska-Omaha - Talented, mobile defenseman is a Washington Capitals pick who can build on a solid freshman season with the Mavericks.

62. Aydar Suniev, LW, UMass - The Calgary Flames pick and UMass freshman is a smart offensive player who knows how to shoot the puck and where to find passes.

63. Alex Bump, LW, Western Michigan - Sturdy kid with dynamic offensive toolbox is a Philadelphia Flyers pick and a late get for the Broncos.

64. Alex Jefferies, LW, Merrimack - Led the team in scoring last year and will undoubtedly be a major threat to put up numbers as a senior. He's a New York Islanders selection.

65. Ryder Donovan, C, St. Thomas - Big center comes over from Wisconsin, where he'll try to find his offense with the Tommies. Donovan is a Vegas Golden Knights pick.

66. Cole Knuble, C, Notre Dame - The Philadelphia Flyers pick comes into South Bend with a great two-way game and solid goal-scoring acumen. Could make USA world junior squad.

67. Sutter Muzzatti, C, R.P.I. - Towering sophomore put up solid numbers for the Engineers as a freshman, tying for the team lead. He's a Nashville Predators pick.

68. Taige Harding, D, Providence College - Another monster, Harding is a Chicago Blackhawks pick who uses his size on the blueline and added a ton more offense as a sophomore.

69. Luke Mittelstadt, D, Minnesota - The Montreal Canadiens drafted the mobile defenseman after he had been passed over before, but Mittlestadt has come into his own.

70. Carter Gylander, G, Colgate - Veteran netminder coming off his best season with the Raiders, as the Detroit Red Wings pick rocked a .914 save percentage.

71. Kenny Connors, LW, UMass - The talented Los Angeles Kings draft pick is coming off a solid freshman campaign that also included world junior duty with Team USA.

72. Aidan Thompson, C, Denver - A point-per-gamer as a freshman with the Pioneers, Thompson is an excellent playmaker and a Chicago Blackhawks pick.

73. Red Savage, C, Michigan State - Transferring from Miami to the Spartans, Savage is an ace faceoff specialist and two-way center taken by the Detroit Red Wings.

74. John Fusco, D, Dartmouth - Fusco is a Toronto Maple Leafs draft pick who found his offense in his first year with the Big Green after transferring from Harvard.

75. Jackson Dorrington, D, Northeastern - The athletic shutdown defenseman in a Vancouver Canucks pick now entering his sophomore season with the Huskies.

76. Miko Matikka, RW, Denver - Big Finn had a great first season in North America while playing in the USHL, now the Arizona Coyotes pick takes his talents to Colorado.

77. Brady Cleveland, D, Wisconsin - Another biggie, Cleveland is a physical shutdown defenseman entering his first year with the Badgers. He's a Detroit Red Wings pick.

78. Matthew Morden, D, Harvard - Continuing the trend, Morden brings great size and two-way ability to the Crimson back end after getting drafted by the Arizona Coyotes.

79. Sam Colangelo, C, Western Michigan - The Anaheim Ducks pick has a combination of size and skill. Colangelo joins Western Michigan after three years at Northeastern.

80. Drew Fortescue, D, Boston College - Sharp defender with some size joins Eagles from the NTDP. Fortescue is a New York Rangers draft pick.

81. George Fegaras, D, Cornell - All-around talent on the back end, Fegaras is a Dallas Stars pick coming in as a freshman after playing last season in the USHL.

82. Samu Salminen, C, UConn - Big Finnish pivot found his feet with the Huskies as a freshman; let's see what the New Jersey Devils pick can do the second time around.

83. Eric Pohlkamp, D, Bemidji State - Stocky blueliner put up nearly a point per game in the USHL last season. The Beavers freshman is a San Jose Sharks pick.

84. Dominic Basse, G, St. Cloud State - The 6-foot-6 Chicago Blackhawks netminding prospect shaved a whole goal off his GAA last year after transferring from Colorado College.

85. Jayden Perron, RW, North Dakota - Talented playmaker had a big draft drop this summer, but the Carolina Hurricanes were more than happy to take advantage of that opportunity.

86. Hudson Malinowski, C, Providence College - Incoming freshman has dazzling playmaking skills, honed with the firewagon AJHL Brooks Bandits. He's a Toronto Maple Leafs pick.

87. Shane Lachance, C, Boston U. - His massive frame made him a lot to handle in the USHL; now the Edmonton Oilers pick follows in dad Scott's footsteps by joining Terriers.

88. Joe Miller, C, Harvard - Diminutive and talented pivot didn't let the big ECAC slow him down as a freshman. Miller is a Toronto Maple Leafs prospect.

89. Tomas Mazura, RW, St. Lawrence - Big pivot with skill is an Edmonton Oilers pick who begins his second year with the Saints after transferring from Providence College.

90. Abram Wiebe, D, North Dakota - With size and skill on the back end, Wiebe made a meal out of the BCHL. Now the Vegas Golden Knights pick takes his talents to Grand Forks.

91. Dans Locmelis, C, UMass - Latvian center put up big numbers in Swedish junior league. The Boston Bruins pick will be key for his country at the world juniors again, too.

92. Rhett Pitlick, LW, Minnesota - He's a Pitlick, so you know you're getting maximum effort from the Montreal Canadiens prospect. Solid progression in first two years with Gophers.

93. Jack D. Hughes, C, Boston U. - It's a big year for the Los Angeles Kings pick, who had decent offensive numbers in his first two campaigns with Northeastern and now moves over to the Terriers.

94. Tyler Muszelik, G, New Hampshire - With David Fessenden off to Canisius, the 6-foot-3 Muszelik gets a chance to take over the Wildcats crease. He's a Florida Panthers pick.

95. Daimon Gardner, C, Clarkson - Big center comes into Clarkson after solid contributions in the USHL. Gardner is a Vancouver Canucks prospect.

96. Luca Munzenberger, D, Vermont - Stay-at-home defenseman with great build enters his third season with the Catamounts. The German national is an Edmonton Oilers pick.

97. Dominic James, LW - Minnesota-Duluth - The Chicago Blackhawks prospect parlayed his speed into a world junior appearance with Team USA, but he also put up numbers for the Dogs.

98. Tanner Ludtke, C, Nebraska-Omaha - Talented pivot and Arizona Coyotes prospect joins the Mavericks after putting up some very nice numbers in the USHL.

99. Ben Meehan, D, UMass-Lowell - Heading into his senior year, the Los Angeles Kings blueline prospect has seen his offensive contributions climb in every campaign with the River Hawks.

100. Jack Devine, RW, Denver - Jack-of-all-trades (no pun intended) forward saw a nice boost in offense year over year. The junior is a Florida Panthers prospect.