Top 100 NHL Prospects in the NCAA: #31-40

31. Troy Stecher, Defenseman, North Dakota(Free Agent)

(photo by Matt Dewkett)

Stecher added some muscle between his freshman and sophomore season and went from a good defenseman to one of the top available free agent targets in all of college hockey. His smooth, strong skating allows him to be a force on both ends of the ice. He missed a good chunk of the season with a leg injury, but has been fantastic when he's been healthy.

32. Alex Kerfoot, Forward, Harvard (New Jersey Devils)

He was injured for a good chunk of the season, but when healthy, he's made a drastic difference in the Crimson's top line as its center. He's got the vision to find his line mates and that ability to move the puck by having good awareness of his surroundings. He's very creative and is a fluid skater.

33. Devin Shore, Forward, Maine (Dallas Stars)

(Photo by Matt Dewkett)

Shore's offensive numbers have regressed in his junior season in Orono, but there is still a lot to like about the Ajax, Ontario native's game. Opposing teams have centered their game plans around stopping the returning All-American. After just 10 points in the first 17 games of the season Shore has nine goals and 17 assists over the past 18 games. He's a good two-way center who skates well and has good awareness of what's going on the ice around him. This will likely be his last season in Orono as all indications point to the two-year captain signing with Dallas once the Black Bears are eliminated.

34. Andrew Copp, Forward, Michigan(Winnipeg Jets)

(photo by Bill Rapai)

Copp is big, athletic, and an excellent leader. He plays a strong two-way game. He's been overshadowed a bit by the superlative offensive performance of teammates Dylan Larkin and Zach Hyman, but Copp's offensive numbers have been strong, while still making plays on the defensive end as well.

35. Jake Guentzel, Forward, Nebraska-Omaha(Pittsburgh Penguins)

(photo by Chris Dilks)

Guentzel makes up for a lack of size by being one of the smartest players in college hockey. He's always thinking one or two steps ahead of the opposition and is always in position to make a play. He's an excellent passer that excels in creating scoring opportunities off of 3-on-2 rushes. His high hockey IQ allows him to be effective on the defensive end as well.

36. Sean Malone, Forward, Harvard (Buffalo Sabres)

Malone has battled injury this season like his teammate Kerfoot, but when he's in the lineup, he adds a nice element to the secondary scoring for the Crimson. He doesn't have the height that teams are looking for, but he's rugged and is really good with the puck in tight spaces. He has five goals and five assists in just 11 games played this season.

37. Mario Lucia, Forward, Notre Dame(Minnesota Wild)

Mario Lucia

(photo by Matt Dewkett)

Lucia is a big forward with soft hands and wicked shot around the net. He sometimes relies on that shot too much, opting to play on the perimeter rather than using his size to work into higher-percentage scoring areas. There's no denying that he's a gifted natural goal-scorer though, who has managed to put up big goal numbers for Notre Dame this year.

38. Teddy Blueger, Forward, Minnesota State(Pittsburgh Penguins)

(photo by Matt Christians)

Blueger's smooth hands and playmaking ability make him a consistently dangerous scoring threat. He's put in serious work over the course of career at Minnesota State to become a better shooter, and that has begun to pay off, hitting double digits in goals this year after scoring just ten combined in his first two years. He's also strong in the face-off circle and become more reliable in the defensive zone as a centerman.

39. Josh Jacobs, Defenseman, Michigan State(New Jersey Devils)

Though still a bit raw, Jacobs has tremendous physical talent. The big defenseman moves extremely well for his size. He's been mostly effective on the defensive end in his rookie season, and he has the potential to develop more of an offensive game as he adjusts to college hockey, which would make him a very good two-way threat at the next level.

40. Casey Bailey, Forward, Penn State(Free Agent)

(photo by Bill Rapai)

After a down sophomore season, Bailey has put together an incredible junior season that has made him a highly-sought NHL free agent target. Bailey's heavy shot and a willingness to unleash it from anywhere makes him a dangerous offensive threat. He's also a physical force on the defensive end of the ice.