On Campus: Fantilli, Cooley among prospects to watch at Frozen Four

The 2023 NCAA Frozen Four at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, is a showcase for not only the best teams in college hockey but for some of the brightest NHL prospects.

There are 40 NHL draft picks spread across the rosters of the four competing schools. All three finalists for the Hobey Baker Award, given to the most outstanding player in college hockey, will be there, as well as some elite free agents.
The University of Minnesota (14 drafted players) face Boston University (12) in the first game Thursday (5 p.m. ET; ESPN2). The University of Michigan (12) plays Quinnipiac University (two) in the second game (8:30 p.m. ET; ESPN2). The championship game Saturday (8 p.m. ET; ESPN2).
Here are 10 top prospects to watch, presented in alphabetical order.
Drew Commesso, Boston University
The 20-year-old junior goalie has been inconsistent this season, but dialed in lately, earning MVP honors at the Manchester Regional on March 25.
Commesso, selected by the Chicago Blackhawks in the second round (No. 46) of the 2020 NHL Draft, is 24-7-0 with a 2.41 goals-against average, .914 save percentage and two shutouts.
Logan Cooley, University of Minnesota
The 18-year-old freshman center is a Hobey Baker Award finalist. He's second in the NCAA with 57 points (20 goals, 37 assists) in 37 games and first with a plus-37 rating.
Cooley was chosen by the Arizona Coyotes with the No. 3 pick in the 2022 NHL Draft.
"The skating ability is elite, but it's his compete level," Minnesota coach Bob Motzko said. "He's an ornery, tough competitor."
Brock Faber, University of Minnesota
The 20-year-old junior defenseman was named the Big Ten's Defensive Player of the Year for the second straight season. He has 25 points (four goals, 21 assists) and is plus-27 in 36 games.
Faber was a second-round pick (No. 45) of the Los Angeles Kings in the 2020 draft. He was traded to the Minnesota Wild for forward Kevin Fiala on June 29, 2022.
Adam Fantilli, University of Michigan
The 18-year-old forward was No. 2 on NHL Central Scouting's midterm rankings presented by BioSteel of the top North American skaters eligible for the 2023 NHL Draft and has had a remarkable freshman season.
Fantilli is a Hobey Baker finalist and leads the NCAA with 64 points (29 goals, 35 assists) while averaging an NCAA-high 1.86 points per game. He had five points (two goals, three assists) in seven games for gold-medal winning Canada at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship.
With size (6-foot-2, 195 pounds), skating ability and high hockey IQ, Fantilli possesses all the attributes prized by NHL scouts. The Nobleton, Ontario, native played at Kimball Union Academy in New Hampshire and for Chicago of the United States Hockey League before enrolling at Michigan.
Collin Graf, Quinnipiac University
After transferring from Union College, the sophomore had a breakout season with 56 points (20 goals, 36 assists) in 39 games. Only Fantilli and Cooley have more.
The 20-year-old forward is a free agent.
Luke Hughes, University of Michigan
The 19-year-old sophomore defenseman has 47 points (10 goals, 37 assists) in 38 games. He is expected to join brothers Jack Hughes (New Jersey Devils) and Quinn Hughes (Vancouver Canucks) in the NHL once his season is finished.
Hughes was the No. 4 pick by the Devils in the 2021 NHL Draft.
Lane Hutson, Boston University
A dynamic offensive defenseman, the 19-year-old had a brilliant freshman season, leading Hockey East in scoring and earning Rookie of the Year honors. He has 48 points (15 goals, 33 assists) in 38 games and is the highest-scoring freshman defenseman in Hockey East history, breaking by a point the record previously held by Brian Leetch (Boston College) in 1986-87.
Hutson was chosen by the Montreal Canadiens in the second round (No. 62) of the 2022 draft.
Matthew Knies, University of Minnesota
The sophomore provides a physical presence and a deft scoring touch while playing on Cooley's wing. He has 41 points (20 goals, 21 assists) in 38 games and is a Hobey Baker finalist.
The Toronto Maple Leafs picked Knies, 20, in the second round (No. 57) of the 2021 draft.
Yaniv Perets, Quinnipiac University
The 23-year-old junior goalie is 32-4-3 with an NCAA-best 1.46 GAA and 10 shutouts, and a .932 save percentage (second). He is a free agent.
Mackie Samoskevich, Michigan
His overtime goal against Penn State at the Allentown Regional sent Michigan to the Frozen Four. The 20-year-old sophomore forward has 43 points (20 goals, 23 assists) in 38 games. He was a first-round pick (No. 24) by the Florida Panthers in the 2021 draft.