20 Canadians to know when college hockey's new recruiting cycle opens
· Yahoo Sports
Jul. 24—GRAND FORKS — When the new men's hockey recruiting window opens on Aug. 1, don't expect a major rush of Canadian players to commit.
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They've been far more patient than Americans. Just over three-fourths of the Herald's
players to watch list
from last summer are still uncommitted.
But here are some names you'll hear down the line.
Note: This is not a strict 1-20 ranking. It is a mix of the best players nationwide in Canada with a bias toward traditional National Collegiate Hockey Conference recruiting grounds (Western Canada).
1. Liam Pue, F, Langley, B.C.: The 6-foot forward has elite skill and scoring ability. He played 34 games for Regina in the Western Hockey League last season, tallying 16 points. There will be debates on who is better between Pue and his Regina Pats teammate Maddox Schultz. But there is little debate that both are elite and the top of the class in Canada. Pue may have the higher offensive upside of the two.
2. Maddox Schultz, F, Regina, Sask.: The 5-foot-10, 180-pound forward has an elite engine and competitiveness level to go along with a scoring touch. He tallied 15 goals and 29 points in 34 games for Regina last season. That's a similar clip to Zach Benson at the same age, slightly behind Gavin McKenna. Schultz is a two-way, all-around player.
3. Thomas Boisvert, F, Trois-Rivières, Que.: Boisvert, the No. 1 overall pick in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Draft by Rouyn-Noranda, brings an all-around game. He's the cousin of former UND and Boston University forward Sacha Boisvert.
4. Zaac Charbonneau, F, Gatineau, Que.: The center from Gatineau is the nephew of Philadelphia Flyers general manager and longtime NHLer Daniel Brière. He has signed to play for Muskegon in the United States Hockey League next season.
5. Kash Kwajah, F, Etobicoke, Ont.: The 6-foot forward led Hockey Canada's U17 World Challenge development camp in scoring this month. He is the No. 5 pick in the Ontario Hockey League Draft by Sudbury. His older brother is Penn State-bound defenseman Jet Kwajah. Don't be surprised if Kash follows in Jet's footsteps.
6. Kane Cloutier, F, Oakville, Ont.: The 5-foot-11 center is a high-end offensive player. He was the No. 1 pick in the OHL Draft by Oshawa. His father is former NHL goaltender Dan Cloutier, who had stints with the Rangers, Canucks, Lightning and Kings.
7. Kalen Miles, F, Edmonton: The 6-foot-3 forward made a big impression in a short WHL stint last season, scoring two goals and tallying four points in six games for Wenatchee.
8. Adrian Sgro, D, Alliston, Ont.: The 6-foot, left-shot defenseman led Hockey Canada's U17 World Challenge development camp in defenseman scoring. Sarnia selected Sgro with the No. 4 pick in the OHL Draft.
9. Tanner Adams, F, Porcupine, Ont.: The 6-foot-1 center racked up 34 goals and 88 points for The Hill Academy last season. He went No. 3 overall in the OHL Draft to Brampton.
10. Holden Wouters, D, Vancouver: The rangy 6-foot-4 defenseman went No. 2 overall in the WHL Draft to Edmonton and played two games for the Oil Kings last season.
11. Reid Nicol, F, Brandon, Man.: Nicol, a left-shot forward, went No. 5 in the 2025 WHL Draft and played six games for the WHL champion Everett Silvertips last season. His 14-year-old brother, Kale, will be a notable prospect in two years.
12. Julian Bergeron, F, Chateauguay, Que.: The 6-foot left winger was selected No. 6 overall by Shawinigan in the QMJHL Draft. His uncle, Louis Robitaille, is an assistant coach with AHL Hershey.
13. Athens Shingoose, F, Waywayseecappo, Man.: The 5-foot-8 forward tied Kwajah as the top scorer at Hockey Canada's U17 World Challenge development camp. Prince Albert selected Shingoose with the No. 16 pick in the WHL Draft.
14. Mateo Ferreira, D, Winnipeg: The 5-foot-10, left-handed defenseman is a smooth skater with strong offensive capabilities. He has signed with WHL Kamloops.
15. Drew Bate, F, Union, Ont.: The 5-foot-10 center led the London Jr. Knights in scoring last season and has signed with the Saginaw Spirit.
16. Declan McNally, D, LaSalle, Ont.: Not only does McNally have terrific size at 6-foot-5, he also has some offense in his game. McNally's cousin, Calum Ritchie, is a former first-round NHL pick who plays for the New York Islanders.
17. Cruz Jim, D, Grande Prairie, Alta.: The 5-foot-9, right-handed defenseman is an elite skater with dynamic offensive ability. He played four games last season for Brandon in the WHL.
19. Colin Kennedy, F, Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.: The No. 2 overall pick in the OHL Draft by Erie is the grandson of former Minnesota North Stars captain Craig Hartsburg. Kennedy played for Little Caesars in Detroit last season.
19. Ryker Doka, D, Regina, Sask.: The 5-foot-8 defenseman broke Morgan Rielly's defenseman scoring record for a 15-year-old in the Saskatchewan U18 league. He has signed with Spokane in the WHL.
20. Anderson Reschny, D, Macklin, Sask.: The younger brother of UND sophomore forward Cole Reschny is a defenseman who was selected in the second round of the WHL Draft by Prince George.
Other notables: Nolan Wolitski, D, St. Alberta, Alta.; Brook Haile, D, Calgary; Jackson Conroy, F, Dorval, Que.; Crosby Mateychuk, D, Dominion City, Man.; Kain Martinuik, F, Peachland, B.C.; Teagan Bouchard, F, Falher, Alta.; Louis-Oscar Holowaychuk, F, Vancouver; Christopher Kokkoris, D, Langley, B.C.; Logan Prud'homme, F, Ottawa; Vincent Boutet, D, St-Augustin-de-Desmaures, Que.