But Because of New Landscape, That Number Could Rise
by Adam Wodon/Managing Editor (@chn-adam-wodon)
LOS ANGELES At this year’s NHL Draft, most of the NCAA-related talk has been about a player not even here.
Gavin McKenna — the projected No. 1 overall in next year’s draft — is not in Los Angeles, and no one’s yet sure if he’s going to play in the NCAA this coming season. But it’s presumed he will, and it’s presumed he will get some major money — relatively — to do so.
In the past, of course, it wouldn’t even have been an option. Unlike Macklin Celebrini, another highly-touted player who came to the NCAA in his draft year, McKenna chose to go to Major Junior first. For someone like Celebrini, just a couple years ago, that would’ve ruled out playing in the NCAA. Celebrini went on to have a standout season at Boston University, before getting drafted No. 1 by San Jose and playing in the NHL this past season.
But with the change in rules, opening the door for Major Junior players to then play in the NCAA, it’s not only within the realm of possiblity to play college hockey for McKenna, but it seems like something he’s actively seeking to do.
Combine that with the money now available for NCAA teams to directly pay their players, and it makes for a lot of interesting chatter. Where is he going to play? How much is he going to get? The answers are all over the map, though the consensus is that Michigan State is offering in the $200,000 range, while Penn State, the other likely landing spot, is offering more.
Meanwhile, there was a 2025 NHL Draft to deal with. On that score, current or incoming NCAA players did not make as big a splash as recent seasons.
Then again, who is an NCAA player? We don’t know. A handful of the players selected in the first round of what was a Major Junior-heavy night, could go to an NCAA school this coming year.
A player like Michael Misa, a projected top-three pick, has been reportedly interested in a number of schools, and perhaps also Penn State, after his brother committed there last month. However, at the draft, after being selected No. 2 overall by San Jose, Misa seemed to rule out playing NCAA hockey next year. “My goal is to make the NHL next season, so that’s where my head is at,” Misa said.
As for the ones who do know, James Hagens of Boston…
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