NHL prospects who could play for Canada, USA in Winter Olympics

While both rosters will include professionals playing in Europe or on minor league deals in North America, there’s a good chance both are going to be looking to younger players who are on the cusp of beginning NHL careers. As the U.S. team learned at the 2018 Olympics, the youngest players were the best. Ryan Donato, then at Harvard, and the University of Denver’s Troy Terry were by far USA’s most consistent offensive producers. That was instructive for the 2022 team leaders. Shying away from younger players for perceived inexperience may end up leaving too much talent on the table.

Multiple outlets have already reported that last year’s No. 1 pick, Owen Power, has committed to play for Canada in Beijing. After having the World Junior Championships abruptly canceled in the middle, Power made a statement in that brief tournament that he was among the best prospects outside of the NHL right now.

He also has already played for Canada’s senior team at the last Men’s World Championship. While he’s going to miss more time with his regular team at the University of Michigan, he’ll have a chance to be a No. 1 defenseman in a tournament against professionals, where he will be challenged even more. It should be a great training ground for the Sabres’ No. 1 pick.

The decision to go to Beijing, however, is still not an easy one. For all of the same reasons that NHL players started to express hesitation about going to Beijing, other players fear the same. The chance to have a lengthy quarantine is not one anyone is eager to risk. On top of that, watching the World Juniors crumble amid an uncontrolled spread of the Omicron variant within the tournament cohort shows how precarious our COVID-19 situation still is.

However, as I’ve talked with people around the college hockey world, it sounds like most of the players who are receiving invitations are accepting without hesitation. The chance to play in the Olympics doesn’t come around very often, and enough players feel very strongly about competing in that event if given the opportunity.

There will still be a large number of players who play professionally in Europe for Team Canada, and they may even have some NHL players currently in limbo without deals for this season. However, based on everything I’m hearing right now, Team USA will rely far more heavily on current college players with a few European and AHL professionals dotting the lineup to sprinkle in some experience.

Suddenly, the 2022 Winter Olympics has become a hugely valuable evaluation event for NHL prospects. With that in mind, I wanted to share a list of players that I’ve heard could be in the mix for their respective national teams. At this time, I have no confirmation that every single player has been asked, and just because they’re on this list does not mean they’ve accepted the invitation. With the knowledge that the teams will include European and AHL pros, these are the NCAA players I think are most likely to be part of the Olympic process, whether they make the final roster or not.

Canada

Owen Power, D, Michigan (BUF): Reports suggest that Power has already committed to play for Team Canada after dominating in the very brief World Juniors this year, as well as winning gold at Men’s Worlds last year. He should be expected to be a big-time player for Canada at the Olympics. His offensive game has really opened up, and his defensive capabilities are strong. He’s proved the last few months that he could have easily been in the NHL now but made the patient decision and has made the most of his time back with Michigan and Team Canada.

Mason McTavish, C, Peterborough Petes (ANA): This is a tricky one because McTavish is under NHL contract. However, since he was loaned back to junior and could not be called back up unless on an emergency basis, it is believed he could still be eligible to be loaned to the Olympic team. There’s no question he’d be an ideal candidate with his rugged style and high-end skill. He showed he could compete at the NHL level and looked like he was going to be one of Canada’s superstars at the WJC before everything got shut down. While there’s some murkiness regarding the eligibility of any players who happen to be in junior but also have NHL contracts, by all accounts, McTavish is in the mix. I think he’d be a key piece for Canada if approved.

Kent Johnson, C/W, Michigan (CBJ): One of the most skilled players in college hockey and maybe one of the most entertaining outside of the NHL currently, Johnson should be a no-brainer as an offensive candidate for Team Canada. His skill level and ability to make solid plays should put him on the roster.

Devon Levi, G, Northeastern (BUF): After backstopping Canada to the brink of gold last year while putting up historic numbers, Levi missed the rest of last season with Northeastern. This year, however, he’s been college hockey’s best goaltender. With a .955 save percentage in 13 games for Northeastern, he also has collected six shutouts in what amounts to his rookie season in college.

Jack McBain, C/W, Boston College (MIN): In the midst of a career year as a senior at Boston College, McBain has looked a lot closer to the guy I thought he could be at the beginning of his draft year than at any point between. His size and power are great tools that would help him perform at any level. He has 13 goals and 24 points in 18 games this year as he’s taken a spectacularly large step. Though McBain is having a great season, I’m not sure he’d knock off most veterans available to Canada. Still he deserves consideration.

USA

Strauss Mann, G, Skellefteå (UFA): Mann made the surprising decision to forgo his final year of NCAA eligibility to pursue a pro career after three successful seasons at Michigan. There weren’t many NHL offers out there, so Mann went to Sweden, and he has been thriving as a rookie in the SHL. The 23-year-old has a .930 save percentage over 13 appearances and very well could be USA’s starter in Beijing.

Jake Sanderson, D, North Dakota (OTT): There’s a good chance the U.S. National Junior Team’s No. 1 defenseman will be the No. 1 defenseman at the Olympics. Sanderson plays a mature game, and everyone with the junior team talked about how he should probably be in the NHL right now. He’s going to be an important piece.

Brock Faber, D, Minnesota (LAK): Another member of the most recent WJC team, Faber’s maturity and skating ability have won him so many fans in the scouting community and with USA Hockey. There’s a trust there with him despite his youth, and I’d expect that to lead to a pretty significant role on the Olympic team.

Drew Helleson, D, Boston College (COL): After winning gold at the 2021 World Juniors, he’s a bit of a proven commodity. Helleson was one of USA’s most leaned-on defensemen in that tournament and has continued logging big minutes for Boston College. Part of that vaunted 2001 birth year for USA Hockey, Helleson has even seen an uptick in production this year on top of his solid defensive play.

Ryan Johnson, D, Minnesota (BUF): Another World Junior gold medalist from last year, Johnson was a reliable defensive stalwart for that team. He is a brilliant skater, but you’re not getting a ton of offense out of him at this point. I could see him as a reasonable depth player who gets some tougher matchups and plays on the PK.

Matty Beniers, C, Michigan (SEA): With a World Men’s Championship under his belt already as a member of the U.S. senior team, Beniers is a natural fit for this roster. He would likely be a top-six center who can play tough matchups. He looked very good in the early goings of the World Juniors and has been excellent in international competitions over his career.

Noah Cates, RW, Minnesota Duluth (PHI): An aggressive, versatile winger with two NCAA national championships under his belt, Cates is a proven winner who has international experience at the World Juniors. He made the surprise decision to return to school for another season even though older brother Jackson signed an NHL deal with Philly. Cates has seen his production dip over the last two seasons, but he still impacts the game in enough ways where that’s not a concern.

Matthew Knies, LW, Minnesota (TOR): A big power forward with goal-scoring ability, Knies was set to be one of the key forwards for the U.S. at the World Juniors. He scored a goal in his first game and was arguably the best forward in the summer evaluation camp. He’s followed that up with a freshman season where he has been a dominant physical force while also putting up points. Knies has 16 points in 18 games so far this season.

Ben Meyers, C, Minnesota (UFA): One of the top free agents in college hockey and certainly one of the most sought-after, Meyers is a top-six player for Minnesota but could fit really well into the depth of Team USA. He’s a point-per-game player for the Gophers but is most valuable in his ability to hunt pucks and make things tougher on the opposition.

Nathan Smith, C, Minnesota State (WPG): With his head coach officially committed to be an assistant for Team USA at the Olympics, it’s hard to imagine Smith being left home. He’s been one of the top scorers in college hockey this year with 27 points in 20 games, while showcasing high-end skill and improved play off the puck. He’s been one of the most improved players in college hockey over the last three seasons.

Nick Abruzzese, LW, Harvard (TOR): After missing all of last season with Harvard shut down, Abruzzese has picked up right where he left off after a 44-point freshman season with the Crimson. The junior forward has 18 points in 12 games so far this season and still provides a dose of skill and quickness that should be helpful to Team USA.

Ronnie Attard, D, Western Michigan (PHI): He’s been one of the best defensemen in college hockey over the last two years, was a standout for Team USA at the 2019 World Junior A Challenge and has simply gotten better and better in each subsequent year. Attard has size and good mobility and would seemingly fit the profile well for Team USA.

Sean Farrell, C/W, Harvard (MTL): Farrell is a speedy forward who absolutely torched the USHL last season after Harvard sat out 2020-21. Now in his first collegiate season, Farrell continues to produce with 17 points through his first 12 games.

Marc McLaughlin, C, Boston College (UFA): A dogged competitor with good speed and defensive sense, McLaughlin is generating NHL interest due to his ability to play effectively down the lineup. He’s solid on the PK.

Thomas Bordeleau, C, Michigan (SJS): After getting knocked out of consecutive World Juniors for protocols, Bordeleau should be free and clear for the Olympics after recovering from the virus in this last go-around. He’s a dynamic playmaker with high-end vision and an absolute savant on faceoffs. He could find a role on this U.S. roster pretty easily I think, should the Americans decide to bring him.

Parker Ford, C/W, Providence (UFA): A World Junior alumnus and excellent forechecker, Ford plays the game with grit and determination. He could be a good depth player for the U.S. This season at Providence, Ford is on pace for a career year and has 10 goals in 23 games. The undrafted forward is very likely to earn an NHL contract when he’s done with school.

Brendan Brisson, RW, Michigan (VGK): The U.S. is going to need goals, and Brisson has been scoring them pretty consistently this season. He’s also gotten physically stronger and has become a much more dangerous player overall. He’d be a power-play weapon if invited.

Brett Berard, LW, Providence (NYR): After playing in the last two World Juniors and also breaking out offensively this year for Providence, Berard should be on the list to at least get a call. He’s not the biggest guy, but he’s tenacious. His sneaky skill has been even more prevalent this season as he continues to produce well over a point per game at the collegiate level.

Aidan McDonough, LW, Northeastern (VAN): McDonough was one of the hottest scorers in college hockey at the beginning of the season. He’s cooled a little bit but still remains an offensively dynamic player. He also has good size and a high motor, which allows him to get his offense with both skill and work ethic.

Jordan Harris, D, Northeastern (MTL): Another WJC alumnus who plays a big role on his college hockey team, Harris moves pucks well and defends at a solid level. I could see him being down the U.S. depth chart on the blue line if he’s offered a spot.

Drew Commesso, G, Boston University (CHI): After he was supposed to be the No. 1 goalie for the U.S. World Junior team, Commesso likely gets a chance to wear the Red, White and Blue again at the Olympics. He was invited to the Men’s World Championship last spring, and his maturity impressed USA’s brass. His numbers look poor this season, but Commesso still has many believers in his ability to play at a high level.