NHL prospects looking to impress in AHL after leaving college early

After every college hockey season, underclassmen who have been drafted by NHL teams, as well as promising free agents, grapple with the question of whether to leave school early to sign a pro contract or remain in college and work on their game for another year.

It's a no-brainer for top-10 NHL draft picks such as centers Matty Beniers of the Seattle Kraken and Kent Johhson of the Columbus Blue Jackets and defensemen Owen Power of the Buffalo Sabres and Jake Sanderson of the Ottawa Senators, who each signed an NHL entry-level contract following the 2021-22 season.
Each was an elite prospect now thriving as rookies in the League; Beniers will play in the NHL All-Star Game on Feb. 4.
However, for many NCAA players, the decision to stay or go is much more complicated.
The NHL team that owns the rights to each player will weigh in with its opinion, and all but the top players likely will have to prove themselves in the American Hockey League before getting an opportunity at the highest pro level.
Here are 10 prospects who made the decision to leave college early and are now, for the most part, fighting for a chance to impress in the NHL.
Nick Abruzzese, Toronto Maple Leafs
Abruzzese left Harvard University after his junior year to sign with the Maple Leafs, who selected the forward in the fourth round (No. 124) of the 2019 NHL Draft.
The 23-year-old played nine games for Toronto after signing a two-year entry-level contract March 26 and scored his first NHL goal on April 29 against the Boston Bruins.
This season, he has 23 points (nine goals, 14 assists) in 34 games with Toronto of the AHL.
Ronnie Attard, Philadelphia Flyers
A right-handed defenseman with a big shot, Attard was selected by the Flyers in the third round (No. 72) of the 2019 draft and signed a two-year entry-level contract March 29. He went directly to the NHL following his junior season at Western Michigan University.
After making his League debut on April 2 against the Maple Leafs, the 23-year-old played 15 games with the Flyers last season with four points (two goals, two assists).
Attard has 12 points (four goals, eight assists) in 32 games with Lehigh Valley of the AHL this season.
Johnny Beecher, Boston Bruins
Selected by the Bruins with the No. 30 pick in the 2019 draft, Beecher played three seasons at the University of Michigan before signing a three-year entry-level contract May 16.
The 21-year-old has nine points (three goals, six assists) in 26 games with Providence of the AHL this season.
Thomas Bordeleau, San Jose Sharks
The 21-year-old played two seasons at Michigan before signing a three-year, entry-level contract April 16.
Selected by the Sharks in the second round (No. 38) in the 2020 NHL Draft, the center had five assists in eight NHL games last season. He has 25 points (17 goals, eight assists) in 37 games with San Jose of the AHL this season.
Bobby Brink, Philadelphia Flyers
The 21-year-old had four assists in 10 games for the Flyers last season, arriving after playing a pivotal role in the University of Denver's NCAA championship victory April 9. He signed a three-year, entry-level contract the next day.
Brink was selected by Philadelphia in the second round (No. 34) of the 2019 draft.
After recovering from July hip surgery, the forward made his AHL season debut Friday and has scored a goal in each of his first two games with Lehigh Valley.
Brendan Brisson, Vegas Golden Knights
The 21-year-old center was selected by the Golden Knights with the No. 29 pick in the 2020 draft and signed a three-year, entry-level contract April 30, following his sophomore season at Michigan.
He has 13 points (five goals, eight assists) in 27 games with Henderson of the AHL.
Brandon Bussi, Boston Bruins
The 24-year-old goalie is making a splash this season with Providence of the AHL; he leads the league with a .934 save percentage, is fourth in with a 2.17 goals-against average and is 11-2-3 record with one shutout in 16 games.
He signed a one-year, entry-level contract with the Bruins on March 30 after three seasons at Western Michigan.
Josh Lopina, Anaheim Ducks
The 21-year-old center signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Ducks on March 27, following his sophomore season at the University of Massachusetts.
Selected by Anaheim in the fourth round (No. 98) of the 2021 NHL Draft, he has three points (one goal, two assists) in 24 games for San Diego (AHL).
Ben Meyers, Colorado Avalanche
As a junior, the University of Minnesota forward was the prize of last season's NCAA free-agent class. After signing a two-year free agent contract with the Avalanche on April 13, the 24-year-old has gone back and forth between the NHL and Colorado of the AHL.
He has one goal in 19 NHL games and five points (one goal, four assists) in 10 AHL games this season.
Georgii Merkulov, Boston Bruins
The 22-year-old signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Bruins on April 9 following his freshman season at Ohio State University.
The Russia-born center has 24 points (seven goals, 17 assists) in 31 games with Providence of the AHL.