Revisiting The NCAA Careers Of Current Vancouver Canucks Players
Eleven current Vancouver Canucks played in the NCAA before making it to the NHL.
Photo by Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports - Revisiting The NCAA Careers Of Current Vancouver Canucks PlayersThe Vancouver Canucks have a long history of drafting and signing players who played in the NCAA. Whether it is a top prospect like Tom Willander or their captain Quinn Hughes, the NCAA continues to help shape Vancouver's current roster as well as their future. In honour of EA Sports College Football 25 coming out this week, here is a look back at the 11 players who are projected to be part of the Canucks opening night roster who played in the NCAA.
Quinn Hughes
Hughes was dynamic during his two years at the University of Michigan. In 69 games, Vancouver's captain had 62 points and was named a Hobey Baker Finalist in 2019. Hughes also competed for Team U.S.A. at the World Juniors and World Championships in both seasons, picking up two Bronzes and a Silver medal.
Brock Boeser
Brock Boeser had a remarkable two-year stint at the University of North Dakota. In 74 games, Boeser recorded 94 points and scored the game-winning goal during the 2016 National Championship. Boeser also picked up a Bronze Medal during his NCAA career as he represented Team U.S.A. at the 2016 World Juniors.
Thatcher Demko
Thatcher Demko's three-year career at Boston University was historic. To this day, his 62 wins still rank fourth in school history, while he is still the only goaltender from BU to receive the Mike Richter Award. Demko also represented Team U.S.A. for all three years he was in the NCAA, participating in two World Juniors and World Championship.
Dakota Joshua
After a few seasons in the USHL, Dakota Joshua moved to Ohio State University, where he played four seasons for the Buckeyes. During his four years, he played in 128 games and recorded 100 points. Joshua and the Buckeyes made it to one Frozen Four during his career before falling to the University of Minnesota-Duluth in the 2018 semi-finals.
Carson Soucy
Speaking of the University of Minnesota-Duluth, that is where Carson Soucy carved out his four-year NCAA career. In 147 games, Soucy scored 47 points and was part of the leadership group during his final season in 2016-17. The 2016-17 season was special as not only did Soucy wrap up his NCAA career, but he also made it all the way to the National Championship game.
Teddy Blueger
Teddy Blueger also spent time in Minnesota during his NCAA career, playing for Minnesota State University. Over his four-year career, Blueger played in 155 games and recorded 108 points. During his NCAA career, he represented Latvia at the U20 level twice, which included a trip to the World Juniors in 2013.
Kiefer Sherwood
As for Kiefer Sherwood, he attended Miami University in Ohio. Over his three seasons, he played 106 games, recording 86 points during that time. After his NCAA career was over, Sherwood signed as an unrestricted free agent with the Anaheim Ducks and has since played 187 games at the NHL level.
Derek Forbort
The other University of North Dakota alum on Vancouver's roster is Derek Forbort. Over his three-year NCAA career, he played in 115 games while recording 45 points. Forbort also participated in one Frozen Four but couldn't overcome the University of Michigan in the 2011 semi-finals.
Danton Heinen
After captaining the Surrey Eagles in 2013-14, Danton Heinen moved to the University of Denver for the next two seasons. During that time, he played 81 games while recording 93 points. Heinen also had the chance to play in a Frozen Four, but his Pioneers fell to Boeser and the University of North Dakota during the 2016 semi-finals.
Vincent Desharnais
Another former BCHLer, Vincent Desharnais, attended Providence College for four years. During his NCAA career, Desharnais played 131 games and recorded 29 points. As for his appearance in the Frozen Four, that came in 2019 when Providence fell to the University of Minnesota–Duluth in the sem-finals.
Phil Di Giuseppe
Like Hughes, Phil Di Guiseppe played at the University of Michigan. Over his three-year career, he played in 115 games and recorded 78 points. During his time in the NCAA, Di Giuseppe played with a number of current NHLers, including Jacob Trouba, Zach Hyman and former Canucks forward Tyler Motte.
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