TORONTO, ON – With two rounds of the 2024 U SPORTS Men’s Hockey Championship in the books and the UNB Reds set to clash with the UQTR Patriotes in the national final, several players will see their university careers end on Sunday. 

While many will step away from the game, professional teams will undoubtedly approach the top talents, with the potential for NHL contracts for the elite tier of U SPORTS talent. 

Outside top-tier contracts, turning pro in American minor leagues or heading to Europe is a significant option for student-athletes looking beyond the Canadian university ranks. At the same time, several top players with remaining eligibility may choose to stay in U SPORTS.

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With quarterfinals and semifinals attracting the eyes of 10+ NHL scouts and several minor league eyes, 49 Sports has put together a group of players who could find themselves signing professional deals in the coming days, with a focus on those potentially in the running for AHL and NHL deals.

That said, an NHL deal does not mean a player will be guarnteed to play in the NHL, as they could be assigned to the ECHL, AHL and other minor league teams.

Goaltenders

• Connor Ungar (Brock)
• Alexis Gravel (UQTR)

On two sides of the experience realm, goaltenders Connor Ungar and Alexis Gravel could sign top contracts after the U SPORTS season ends. 

Although a rookie, Ungar caught NHL and other professional eyes through his first OUA season with the Brock Badgers, posting one of the best seasons since now Stanley Cup champion and NHL regular Logan Thompson graced Brock in 2018-19. 

While he could return for another four seasons with the Badgers, his ability to dominate the OUA West with a .932 save percentage and three shutouts caught the eye of the pro game, potentially enough to earn an NHL contract, considering he’s just 22-years-old. 

Sources have indicated that the Edmonton Oilers are leading the charge on adding Ungar, leading choices among offers he’s fielding.

For Gravel, a former Chicago Blackhawks 6th round draft pick, getting a professional contract is expected, given a U SPORTS career thats seen him backstop a national championship title and three OUA Queen’s Cup wins. 

Despite being a year older, Gravel’s 2023-24 .935 save percentage and a third straight OUA title should be enough to earn him an AHL deal. 

Another contender for a contract would be TMU Bold netminder Kai Edmonds. However, he is expected to return to the Bold for 2024-25. 

Defencemen: 

• Jake Lee (UBC)
• Scott Walford (McGill)
• David Noel (UQTR)
• Kade Landry (UNB)
• Kale McCallum (UNB)
• Aaron Hyman (TMU)
• Noah King (Calgary)

When it comes to a defenceman, maturity on the blueline and defensive awareness are critical in taking a step to the AHL or higher, not necessarily being purely an offensive blueliner. With that in mind, some of the top defencemen in U SPORTS come from late-blooming rosters and are among the older players in the league. 

While TMU’s Artem Duda, a current NHL prospect and recent NHL Draft pick with the Arizona Coyotes, headlines the defensive group, he’s a different story, as a student-athlete bound for at minimum a tryout with Arizona’s AHL team, potentially to close out 2023-24. 

Among the U SPORTS veterans, though, is Calgary captain Noah King, who has established himself as a premier defender on one of the most defensively stout teams in Canada West while also playing significant minutes offensively. In a similar realm, David Noel of UQTR brings a physical presence and a winning edge that could translate to the next level. 

Outside of Duda, King, and Noel, Scott Walford and Jake Lee’s dynamic exploits could earn AHL contracts, given the immense responsibility they’ve held with McGill and UBC while, respectively, both posting above a point per game the last two seasons. 

Also, keep tabs on TMU’s Aaron Hyman, whose size and composure on the puck could be attractive, alongside UNB’s Kade Landry and Kale McCallum. 

Forwards:

• Simon Lafrance
• Austen Keating
• Eric Uba
• Jacob Roach
• Riley Stotts
• Kyle Bollers 

Not every top forward or high-scoring player from U SPORTS can easily transition to the elite levels of the pro game, but for a select few, shifting to the AHL level is an attainable goal. At least, signing an AHL contract and playing in a lower tier. 

Despite being just 5-foot-10, two-time OUA leading scorer, Simon Lafrance is all but guaranteed to sign an AHL contract, given his time in U SPORTS and his attendance at the Colorado Avalanche summer prospects training camp. 

With two goals and five assists through the first two rounds of the U CUP and 171 points in 125 games with the Patriotes, the diminutive forward has shown his abilities against older players, with his elusiveness making him an intriguing AHL addition. 

Other top scorers, such as Eric Uba of McGill, who has 16 goals and 34 points in 28 games, and UNB’s Austen Keating, who has 50 points in 30 regular-season games this season, could also headline the potential AHL signing from U SPORTS. 

Out of Canada West, former Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Riley Stotts plays a critical role for the Dinos, a team that plays with a professional approach. He could be a player to slide into an AHL or ECHL contract to finish the year, coming off a Canada West season that saw Calgary as the best defensive team and him at the core of it. 

TMU’s Kyle Bollers and Brock’s Jacob Roach could also attract minor league offers to end the season, given their success in the Canadian university game, where they scored 42 and 40 points, respectively. 

Even with standout players, getting time in the AHL is far from a certainty for those who sign. However, a contract puts them in contention take establish themselves in the professional game, with the eventual hopes of making an NHL impact.