Quinn Hughes, D, Michigan: The 19-year-old left-hand shot, who has an ankle injury and will be re-evaluated in a week before making his NHL debut, is fifth among NCAA defensemen with 28 assists.
Taro Hirose, F, Michigan State: Hirose, a 5-foot-10, 160-pound junior, led NCAA players with 50 points (15 goals, 35 assists) in 36 games at the time he signed with the Red Wings. The 22-year-old, who was born in Winnipeg but raised in Calgary, was named Big Ten Player of the Year.
Joseph Duszak, D, Mercyhurst: Duszak (5-10, 185), a 21-year-old junior, signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Maple Leafs on March 13 that will start next season; he will finish this season with Toronto of the American Hockey League on an amateur tryout contract. He still leads NCAA defensemen with 47 points (16 goals, 31 assists) in 37 games, and was named First Team All-Atlantic Hockey Conference.
Adam Fox, D, Harvard: The 5-foot-11, 181-pound right-hand shot was acquired by the Hurricanes, along with defenseman Dougie Hamilton and forward Micheal Ferland, from the Calgary Flames in a trade for defenseman Noah Hanifin and forward Elias Lindholm on June 23. Fox, a 21-year-old junior, leads all NCAA players in assists (37) and points per game (1.48), and is tied for fourth with 46 points (nine goals, 37 assists). He had 23 power-play points and was named Ivy League Player of the Year.
Cale Makar, D, Massachusetts: Makar, a 20-year-old right-handed shot, was chosen by the Avalanche in the first round (No. 4) of the 2017 NHL Draft. The 5-foot-11, 187-pound sophomore ranked second in the nation in points per game by a defenseman (1.28) and is tied for second among defensemen in plus/minus (plus-30).
Chase Priskie, D, Quinnipiac: The senior right-hand shot was chosen in the sixth round (No. 177) of the 2016 NHL Draft by the Capitals. Priskie (6-0, 192) is the active career leader among NCAA defensemen in goals (39) and points (116), and his 17 goals this season leads all NCAA defensemen. The 23-year-old had 39 points (22 assists) in 34 games and is tied for fourth among NCAA players with 23 power-play points.
Mason Jobst, F, Ohio State: Jobst (5-8, 185), a 25-year-old left-shot center, has 36 points (17 goals, 19 assists) and eight power-play goals in 35 games. The senior was a finalist for Big Ten Player of the Year and is the conference all-time leading scorer with 164 points (69 goals, 95 assists) in 149 games.
Patrick Newell, F, St. Cloud State: Newell (5-9, 175) led the National Collegiate Hockey Conference with 43 points (19 goals, 24 assists) in 38 games. The 23-year-old leads the NCAA with a plus-32 rating.
Jimmy Schuldt, D, St. Cloud State: Schuldt (6-1, 205), a 23-year-old left-hand shot, led NCHC defensemen with 33 points (10 goals, 23 assists) in 36 games. The only repeat Hobey Baker finalist, Schuldt hasn't missed a game during his college career (153 consecutive games played) and is the all-time leader among St. Cloud State defensemen with 116 points (38 goals, 78 assists).
Nico Sturm, F, Clarkson: The 6-3, 211-pound junior center is tied for 10th in the country with 43 points (14 goals, 29 assists) in 36 games, and has won 57.9 percent of his face-offs. A 23-year-old native of Augsburg, Germany, Sturm has been named ECAC Best Defensive Forward the past two seasons.
