Editor's note: This story was originally published on March 26 and has been updated.
Everywhere Boston College coach Greg Brown looks, he sees NHL-level talent.
It's not just their own roster, where highly touted prospects like Cutter Gauthier (Anaheim Ducks) and Will Smith (San Jose Sharks) helped propel the Eagles to the No. 1 seed in the Division I men's hockey tournament that begins this week.
You also see it all over the country.
“It's great for college hockey,” Brown told ESPN recently. “I think more and more people are seeing it as a very viable path to get to the NHL, so not only can you come here, get your education, but you can also play high-level hockey and hopefully make a career out of it.” with it, if that is so. What interests you?”
More and more NHL teams are pursuing NCAA players in the draft and free agency.
“I think every year the percentage of college players in the NHL increases. It's just a great trend,” Brown said. “I think now you see not only American children, but also people from all over the world coming [to the NCAA]because they see college hockey as a great option not only to get an education but also to fulfill their dreams of playing professionally.”
That will be evident in the Frozen Four, which is scheduled for Thursday and Saturday in St. Paul, Minnesota (ESPN2, ESPN+). All four participants (Boston College, Boston University, Denver and Michigan) have rosters with NHL-caliber talent.
Here's a look at some of this year's Frozen Four names with current and future connections to the NHL, including draft prospects and past picks.
