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We've reached the top twenty on our countdown of the top 100 NHL prospects playing in the NCAA this year.
In case you missed them, here are the previous installments of the list:
11. Jon Gillies, Goalie, Providence(Calgary Flames)
(photo by Matt Dewkett)
Gillies has had some shaky outings this season, but has largely been very good for the Friars, a team earned a bye through the first round of the Hockey East Tournament as the No. 2 seed. His .929 save percentage isn't gaudy, but when he's on, he's very good. He dealt with a groin injury last season and seemed to have some lingering trouble due to that. He's a big, athletic goalie who squares up to shooters and covers a ton of the net. He's agile and quick for a goalie of his size and is relatively quiet in the crease.
12. Brady Skjei, Defenseman, Minnesota(New York Rangers)
(photo by Matt Christians)
Injuries slowed down Skjei for much of the first half of the season, but since returning to the line-up regularly in January, he's continued to be a dominating defensive presence, using his big frame and smooth skating to take away ice from opponents. He's starting to add a bit more offensive production to his game, but likely won't be a huge point producer at the next level. He moves better than most defensemen that are 6-3 which should make him a valuable commodity in the pro game.
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13. Thatcher Demko, Goalie, Boston College(Vancouver Canucks)
(photo by Matt Dewkett)
Still a young player for the NCAA level even as a sophomore, the San Diego, Calif. native is poised and mature beyond his years, according to his coach. Demko rarely appears to get rattled in the cage. Some observers will write it off as playing in back of an extremely talented defense, but it's a young and aggressive blue line that sometimes has been prone to mistakes. He's steady, has a real good glove and makes almost all of the saves he needs to make.
14. JT Compher, Forward, Michigan(Buffalo Sabres)
(photo by Bill Rapai)
Compher at times looks out of place in Michigan's run-and-gun offense and hasn't developed the same chemistry he had with some of Michigan's outgoing forwards from last season, leading to a decline in his points. But Compher can still affect a game even if he's not scoring. He's an incredibly fierce competitor that plays hard on both ends of the ice. He has the skating ability and awareness to play center at the next level, and could potentially be a solid offensive contributor.
15. Steve Santini, Defenseman, Boston College(New Jersey Devils)
(photo by Matt Dewkett)
Santini missed 16 games in the middle of the season with a wrist injury suffered back in October against UMass. The son of a former Maine Black Bear, Santini is a physical specimen on the ice. He's got a mean streak and he plays with an edge. He's been called for more than a few undeserved penalties due to his size and strength and how closely the college is called at times. His game certainly fits the pro game more than it does the NCAA. Just how good is Santini? BC is 12-5-1 with him and 8-6-1 without him.
16. Colton Parayko, Defenseman, Alaska-Fairbanks(St. Louis Blues)
Parayko is a monster-sized defenseman with surprising offensive gifts for a player of his size. The Nanooks rely on him to play big minutes in every situation, every night and he really helps carry his team. His big reach makes him tough to skate around in the defensive end, and he isn't afraid to play a physical game as well.
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17. Ian McCoshen, Defenseman, Boston College(Florida Panthers)
(photo by Matt Dewkett)
Of all the talented BC defenseman, McCoshen's game is probably the least flashy and simplest. He doesn't have quite the dynamic skating ability or puck skills of the others, but he's very solid and does his job well. He's not overly physical like Santini, but he wins on-one-battles, is strong on gap control and has a good stick. His reach allows him to to pokecheck and keep opposing forwards to the outside.
18. Riley Barber, Forward, Miami(Washington Capitals)
(photo by Matt Christians)
Barber is a very skilled offensive player. His soft hands allow him to catch difficult passes and make plays with the puck. He has a very heavy, accurate snap shot and good instincts in the offensive zone that allow him to score goals. His skating is just average for the pro level, but he seems to be a player that always finds a way to produce offensively.
19. Vince Hinostroza, Forward, Notre Dame(Chicago Blackhawks)
(photo by Matt Christians)
The sophomore has really come into his own this second half. He's always stood out in viewings of Notre Dame, but since the calendar turned he's really started to become that much better. His vision and creativity in the offensive zone allow him to make some true highlight reel passes, short and long. He can fit pucks through seams and find line mates on the back door as well. His skating ability is second to only Jack Eichel in Hockey East. His cutting and lateral movement is stellar thanks to the way he uses his edges. Besides Eichel and Tuch, there isn't a player in Hockey East who is more dangerous with the puck on his stick entering the offensive zone.
20. Dominic Toninato, Forward, Minnesota Duluth(Toronto Maple Leafs)
(photo by Matt Christians)
Toninato has taken a big step forward in his sophomore season to become a go-to player for the Bulldogs. He's a top line center with the ability to play on the power play and penalty kill. He plays with a physical edge that sometimes goes too far. He's a decent skater, but will likely move from center to wing at the next level, where he should provide strong, gritty two-way play with the occasional offense chipped in as well.