The NCAA's Frozen Four tournament has a stacked group of squads with promising future NHL talent between Boston College, Boston Univeristy, Michigan and Denver. Tony Ferrari gives the rundown. Frank Nazar [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA0Mzk0NDgyMzA3NzAzODg1/usatsi_22484786.jpg] Frank Nazar The NCAA Frozen Four semifinals kick off on Thursday, featuring no shortage of NHL prospects and draft-eligible talent. As we looked in the Frozen Four preview, four stacked teams seek the men's national championship, and they'll need each player's utmost effort to overcome the tough competition. These four NHL prospects below may not be the most talked-about players on their squads, whether it's because of other drafted prospects or draft-eligible skaters, but they're the X-factors who could be the difference between a national championship and just falling short. MICHIGAN: FRANK NAZAR, F Drafted 13th overall in 2022 by the Chicago Blackhawks 40 games played, 17 goals, 24 assists, 41 points Blackhawks' No. 2 prospect in Future Watch 20 Nazar has felt more comfortable as the year has gone on, and his dynamic side has come out even more. Last season's hip injury wasn’t easy to deal with as a player who is so heavily reliant on his speed and quickness, but it’s allowed him to learn and think the game at a higher level. Now that his hip is back to 100 percent, we are starting to see him play at his breakneck pace while thinking at the elite level he’s been forced to since his return from injury. Nazar can easily be the Wolverines’ X-factor. Jacob Fowler [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA1NjQwOTU0Mjk0NTc2NTgx/usatsi_22902681.jpg] Jacob Fowler BOSTON COLLEGE: JACOB FOWLER, G Drafted 69th overall in 2023 by the Montreal Canadiens 37 games played, 2.20 goals-against average, .924 save percentage Canadiens' No. 7 prospect in Future Watch 2024 Fowler was an incredible story this season, and he has some championship pedigree after dominating the USHL playoffs en route to a championship last year. He is the best netminder remaining, even though Boston College has the firepower to score their way through the competition with Will Smith (SJS), Cutter Gauthier (ANA), Ryan Leonard (WSH) and Gabe Perreault (NYR). That said, nobody else may stand a chance if Fowler can stay at the elite level he has been at all season. Tom Willander [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA1NjQwOTM3OTIwMDEzODUz/usatsi_20963788_168400847_lowres.jpg] Tom Willander BOSTON UNIVERSITY: TOM WILLANDER, D Drafted 11th overall in 2023 by the Vancouver Canucks 37 games played, 4 goals, 21 assists, 25 points Canucks' No. 2 prospect in Future Watch 2024 While Lane Hutson gets all of the attention, Willander has often been tasked with shutting down opposing top lines. He will once again be tasked with the job in the Frozen Four. Although Boston University may be able to get through Denver without Willander bringing his ‘A-game’, whoever they'd face in the final will have an incredible amount of firepower. Willander has quietly been one of the most important players for Boston University all year, and that's a great sign for Canucks fans in the long term. Jack Devine [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA1NjQwOTgzMjg1NjA1OTE3/usatsi_18039786_168400847_lowres.jpg] Jack Devine UNIVERSITY OF DENVER: JACK DEVINE, F Drafted 221st overall in 2022 by the Florida Panthers 42 games played, 27 goals, 29 assists, 56 points Panthers' No. 6 prospect in Future Watch 2024 Massimo Rizzo could be playing for Denver after dealing with an injury since March [https://x.com/ryan_sikes10/status/1777519921057935680], but Devine will be asked to continue scoring goals in a big way. His 27 goals were fourth in the nation. Denver is going to need players to step up in their forward group, and Devine is likely going to have to lead the way. Devine has been a tremendous story this year and finishing it all off with a trip to the final would be wonderful.
