Top five 2024 NHL Draft prospects to watch at the NCAA Tournament

If you’re not tied to any particular school, there’s a good chance you’re going to watch the NCAA Tournament to see your NHL team’s future stars.

But it’s not uncommon for those gunning for early spots in a given year’s draft class to stand out just as much, if not more. Last year, Adam Fantilli won the Hobey Baker as the best player in men’s Div. I hockey before turning pro. In 2021, three of the top five picks – Owen Power, Matty Beniers, and Kent Johnson – were among the top players at the University of Michigan.

We don’t typically see many college players go in the NHL Draft because they’re overagers. If it happens, it’s because they managed to fast-track their way to school a year early. That’s the case for top prospect Macklin Celebrini, who was the only 2006-born player in the NCAA in 2023-24.

A total of 16 teams will take part in the four-city regional circuit this weekend. The winner of each division will earn a spot in the Frozen Four, taking part in Saint Paul, Minnesota in April. Many scout will be keeping close eyes on these five prospects eligible to be taken in Vegas June 28-29:

Macklin Celebrini, C (Boston University)

Last year had Fantilli, this year has Celebrini. The undisputed to prospect for 2024, Celebrini enters the tournament tied for second in scoring with Boston College’s Cutter Gauthier – often considered one of the best prospects in hockey today. But what Celebrini is doing is truly special – only two players (Craig Simpson with 84 points in 1984-85) and Chris Valentine (71 points in 1978-1979) has scored more as a U-18 player in NCAA history. Celebrini is the only other player that age with more than 40 points in a season, too. In fact, it’s one of the best freshman seasons in NCAA history, regardless of the player’s age. Celebrini is special, and this is yet another opportunity for him to showcase why.

Artyom Levshunov, RHD (Michigan State)

Depending on who you talk to, Levshunov might end up being the first defenseman taken at the 2024 NHL Draft. Levshunov enters the NCAA tournament leading all Michigan State players with 34 points, the most by a U-20 MSU defender since Jason Wooley put up 37 points in 1988-89. You don’t typically find many players in the college game that project like Levshunov – he’s a great triple threat as a physical, two-way defenseman, and he’s as competitive as it gets. At 6-foot-2 and 209 pounds, he moves exceptionally well – something scouts absolutely love about him.

Zeev Buium, LHD (University of Denver)

Buium enters the NCAA regionals this weekend with 48 points in 38 games. After Lane Hutson got 48 in 39 games last year, Buium could become just the second U-19 NCAA defenseman to break 50. Buium has been putting up tremendous numbers with Denver as coach Matt Carle has shown tremendous confidence in the freshman defender. Buium is a great skater who loves the puck on his stick, and he never seems to get frazzled, no matter the situation. 

Isaac Gordon, RW (Michigan Tech)

Gordon is Michigan Tech’s top scorer, entering the tournament sitting tied for the most points among CCHA skaters with 36 points in 39 games. Originally eligible for the 2022 draft, Gordon is a classic case of a late-bloomer. He was playing U-18 AAA in 2022 before having a good, yet unspectacular, season with the USHL’s Sioux Falls Stampede last year. Gordon is competitive, working hard at both ends of the ice, and he’s willing to battle along the boards to create a scoring chance. He’s not on the NHL Central Scouting list this year so he’s a bit of a longshot to get taken, but he feels like a prime candidate to become a UFA pickup a few years down the line.

Jake Livanavage, LHD (University of North Dakota)

With 29 points in 39 games to date, only former NHLer Taylor Chorney (31 points in 2006-07) has more points by a U-20 UND defenseman over the past 30 years. Livanavage, who has represented the United States at both the 2021 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and 2022 World Junior A Challenge, is a power-play specialist with good skating and puck work. Defensively, though? That’s one of the biggest reasons why he hasn’t selected beyond his small 5-foot-10 frame. He’s a good transitional player and loves to move the puck, but he has a long road ahead if he wants to make the NHL. Still, against his peers, Livanavage is solid.

Other notables: Chase Pietila, RHD (Michigan Tech), Will Vote, RW (Boston College), Gavin O’Connell, RW (Michigan State)