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2013 College Hockey Offseason: NCAA Players Leaving Early for NHL

Each year, underclassmen leave school early to sign pro contracts. The 2013 offseason has been no different with NHL franchises plucking their draft picks and coveted free agent prospects out of college.

By Jeff Cox
Just two days after playing in the Frozen Four, former UMass Lowell defenseman Chad Ruhwedel made his NHL debut with Buffalo.
Just two days after playing in the Frozen Four, former UMass Lowell defenseman Chad Ruhwedel made his NHL debut with Buffalo.
Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Spor

Conor Allen Jr. D UMass-Amherst (HE) New York Rangers
Mark Alt Jr. D Minnesota (WCHA) Philadelphia Flyers
Nick Bjugstad Jr. F Minnesota (WCHA) Florida Panthers
Zach Budish Jr. F Minnesota (WCHA) Nashville Predators
Chris Casto So. D Minnesota-Duluth (WCHA) Boston Bruins
Jared Coreau Jr. G Northern Michigan (CCHA) Detroit Red Wings
Chris Crane Jr. F Ohio State (CCHA) San Jose Sharks
Dan DeKeyser Jr. D Western Michigan (CCHA) Detroit Red Wings
Derek Forbort Jr. D North Dakota (WCHA) Los Angeles Kings
Troy Grosenick Jr. G Union (ECAC) San Jose Sharks
Erik Haula Jr. F Minnesota (WCHA) Minnesota Wild
Kellan Lain Jr. F Lake Superior (CCHA) Vancouver Canucks
Anders Lee Jr. F Notre Dame (CCHA) New York Islanders
Matt Lindblad Jr. F Dartmouth (ECAC) Boston Bruins
Scott Mayfield So. D Denver (WCHA) New York Islanders
Jon Merrill Jr. D Michigan (CCHA) New Jersey Devils
Matt Nieto Jr. F Boston University (HE) San Jose Sharks
Juho Olkinuora So. G Denver (HE) Winnipeg Jets
Buddy Robinson So. F Lake Superior (CCHA) Ottawa Senators
Chad Ruhwedel Jr. D UMass-Lowell (HE) Buffalo Sabres
Nate Schmidt Jr. D Minnesota (WCHA) Washington Capitols
Nick Shore Jr. F Denver (WCHA) Los Angeles Kings
Andrej Sustr Jr. D Nebraska-Omaha (WCHA) Tampa Bay Lightning
Jacob Trouba Fr. D Michigan (CCHA) Winnipeg Jets
Brendan Woods So. F Wisconsin (WCHA) Carolina Hurricanes

Don Lucia's Minnesota Gophers have lost the most underclassmen (5)

Michigan defenseman Jacob Trouba is the only freshman to have signed an NHL contract.

Jeff Cox covers college hockey for SBNation. Follow Jeff on twitter @JeffCoxSBNation for college hockey news including early departures and other analysis throughout the summer.