On Campus: 10 impact players for 2020-21 season

The 2020-21 college hockey season is scheduled to begin in nearly six months. But it's not too early to look forward to the NCAA Division I season.

In that spirit, here are 10 players who are expected to garner the biggest headlines and have the largest impacts on their teams when college hockey starts again.

Morgan Barron, Cornell University

Barron, a 6-foot-4, 220-pound forward with a good shot, was in the Top 10 for the Hobey Baker Award after he had 32 points (14 goals, 18 assists) in 29 games. The junior earned first-team All-American honors.
He was picked by the New York Rangers in the sixth round (No. 174) of the 2017 NHL Draft.
Barron hasn't said whether he will sign or return for his senior season. If he does opt to stay, he could be eligible for free agency after the 2020-21 season.

Cole Caufield, University of Wisconsin

Caufield scored two goals per game in his first three games as a freshman.
The forward did not continue that pace, but he had a strong season all the same, leading Wisconsin in scoring with 36 points (19 goals, 17 assists) in 36 games.
Caufield (5-7, 162) was selected by the Montreal Canadiens in the first round (No. 15) of the 2019 NHL Draft. After talking with Montreal when Wisconsin's season ended, he decided to return to school for his sophomore season.

David Farrance, Boston University

The offensively dynamic Farrance led Division I defensemen with 43 points (14 goals, 29 assists) in 34 games.
He will return for his senior season after deciding not to sign with the Nashville Predators, who selected him in the third round (No. 92) of the 2017 draft. If he does not sign after the conclusion of next season, he will become a free agent.
Farrance (5-11, 189) was a first-team All-American and one of 10 finalists for the Hobey Baker Award.

Jordan Kawaguchi, University of North Dakota

If there is an early favorite for the 2021 Hobey Baker Award, it is Kawaguchi.
He was a Hobey Hat Trick finalist this season along with University of Minnesota Duluth defenseman Scott Perunovich, who was awarded the trophy April 11, and University of Maine goalie Jeremy Swayman. Kawaguchi (5-9, 185) also was a first-team All-American. He finished second in Division I with 45 points (15 goals, 30 assists) in 33 games.
A free agent, Kawaguchi will be back for his senior season.

Cole Koepke, Minnesota Duluth University

Koepke does not pass up many chances to shoot the puck. He was third in Division I with 156 shots on goal.
The sophomore forward (6-1, 196) earned first-team all-National Collegiate Hockey Conference and second-team All-American honors with 33 points (16 goals, 17 points) in 34 games. His 16 goals tied North Dakota forward Shane Pinto for the most in the NCHC.
Koepke was picked by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the sixth round (No. 183) of the 2018 NHL Draft.

Griffin Loughran, Northern Michigan University

Althrough Loughran had 93 minutes in penalties, second among all Division I players, the freshman forward (5-7, 145) led Northern Michigan with 39 points (23 goals, 16 assists) in 37 games. In Division I, only John Leonard (27) of the University of Massachusetts scored more goals than Loughran.
A free agent, he is suspended for the first game of next season because of a stick penalty in the final game of the year.

Strauss Mann, University of Michigan

Mann was one of the best goalies in the country as a sophomore last season. He wasn't nominated for the Hobey Baker Award, but it's a safe bet he will be in 2020-21.
His .939 save percentage in 36 games (1,061 shots) was tied for second in Division I with Swayman, the winner of the Mike Richter Award as college hockey's best goalie. Dryden McKay of Minnesota State (.942) led the nation. Mann (6-0, 175) is a free agent.

Dryden McKay, Minnesota State University

McKay had the best save percentage (.942) and goals-against average (1.31) and led Division I with 10 shutouts and 30 wins.
A free agent, McKay (6-0, 174) will be back for his junior season.

Alex Newhook, Boston College

Newhook draws comparisons from coach Jerry York to Boston College stars of the past such as Johnny Gaudreau, Brian Gionta and Chris Kreider. Newhook, as a freshman, was one of the best forwards in the NCAA in the second half of the season.
He was named National Rookie of the Year after he had 42 points (19 goals, 23 assists) in 34 games.
Newhook (5-10, 190) was selected by the Colorado Avalanche in the first round (No. 16) of the 2019 NHL Draft.

Tyce Thompson, Providence College

After Thompson had 25 points (eight goals, 17 assists) as a freshman, he had 44 points (19 goals, 25 assists) in 34 games as a sophomore. The forward (6-1, 178) was tied for third in points in Division I.
Undrafted in 2018, Thompson was picked by the New Jersey Devils in the fourth round (No. 96) of the 2019 draft.