Ranking The Top Five Centers In NCAA Hockey

Skill in the face-off dot and in producing points are the combined traits of a top line center. Here's a look at five of the best in NCAA hockey.

NCAA hockey will graduate a dominant group of centers this season as players like Taylor Heise, Alina Muller, Gabrielle David, Gabbie Hughes, Emma Maltais, Sara Hjalmarsson, and Jesse Compher all advance to the pro level. 

But the remaining group of centers are both strong in the face-off dot, and in producing top line points.

Here's a look at the five best centers coming back to NCAA hockey, and a few honorable mentions.

The top scoring center in NCAA hockey who also won more than 50% of her face-offs, Hartje actually won an impressive 60.59% of her draws last season with Yale. Coupling that with with sixth best points-per-game pace in the nation totalling 52 points in 33 games, and it's obvious that Hartje drives possession and produces.

Winning an eye popping 62.45% of her draws this season for Penn State as a rookie, Janecke will only become more dominant in the circle as she continues to gain strength. Janecke was also top 20 in the nation in points-per-game scoring 47 in 38 games.

The Princeton captain won 59.61% of her draws this season at the NCAA level, and continued that success internationally for Canada. Fillier also scored 37 points in 31 games this year.

When you're the top face-off performer on the national champions, it's an immediate sign you're an impactful player. O'Brien won 56.34% of her face-offs for Wisconsin last year, and also led the Badgers in scoring with 48 points in 41 games.

The five-foot-eleven St. Lawrence captain is one of the most powerful players in NCAA hockey. Her 52.48% face-off percentage puts her on the right side of the win-loss column, and coupled with her 46 points in 39 games, Gosling has become a dominant pivot.

Honorable Mentions: Brianna Brooks (New Hampshire), Neena Brick (Colgate), Danielle Serdachny (Colgate), Vanessa Upson (Mercyhurst)