Top NHL prospects shine in first round of NCAA Tournament

Gabriel Perreault, W, Boston College

Perreault, 19, drew praise as maybe the best player on the ice during Friday's win over Bentley. The sophomore opened the scoring with a slick move to fool goaltender Connor Hasley in the win. His contract situation with the New York Rangers, who drafted him with the 23rd pick in 2023, is not as clear as Leonard's.

James Hagens, C, Boston College

Hagens, 18, is looking to cap his freshman season at Boston College by becoming the top pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. He scored the game-winning goal with 1:19 remaining in regulation and assisted on Perreault's goal. Hagens is facing serious heat at the top of the draft, but he could secure a spot near the top of the draft with a strong tournament as one of the youngest players there.

Zeev Buium, D, Denver

Buium was a menace in Denver's 5-1 win over Providence. The left-shot defensemen had two primary assists and scored a filthy second-period goal to put the Pioneers up 2-0. He's now up to 46 points (12 goals, 34 assists) in 39 games. Buium went 12th overall in the 2024 NHL Draft and could sign his entry-level contract with the Minnesota Wild upon conclusion of the tournament where he's expected to make an immediate impact. 

No. 1 Boston College and No. 3 Denver will meet in the second-round on Sunday, March 30 in a rematch of last year's national championship game won by Denver. The winner advances to the Frozen Four. 

Alex Bump, W, Western Michigan

Bump didn't find the scoresheet in No. 1 Western Michigan's 2-1 double overtime win over No. 4 Minnesota State. The 2022 fifth-round pick of the Philadelphia Flyers was noticeable all game and finished with a game-high eight shots on goal. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound sophomore would be a welcome reinforcement for a struggling Flyers team. 

No. 1 Western Michigan faces No. 3 UMass on Saturday, with the winner set to advance to the Frozen Four. 

The Best of the rest

• Jimmy Snuggerud, W, Minnesota scored two goals in Minnesota's 5-4 loss in the opening round. The 23rd overall pick of the 2022 NHL Draft signed his entry-level contract with the St. Louis Blues on Friday. 
• Sam Rinzel, D, Minnesota had an assist and was plus-one in the loss to UMass. The rights to Rinzel, 25th overall pick of the 2022 NHL Draft, are owned by the Chicago Blackhawks. He is unsigned. 
• Isaac Howard, W, Michigan State logged one assist in No. 1 Michigan State's upset loss against No. 4 Cornell on Thursday. The 31st pick of the 2022 NHL Draft is expected to join Tampa Bay for their playoff push. 

The tournament resumes Saturday at 4 p.m. with No. 4 Cornell facing No. 2 Boston University.