2016 Top 100 NHL Prospects in the NCAA: #81-90

This is the second installment of our list of the top 100 NHL prospects. To read the first installment, covering players ranked 91-100, click here.

This section covers players ranked 81-90. It features four players whose rights are not currently held by an NHL team, and would be a fantastic addition to any team's prospect pool.

81. Kevin Roy, Forward, Northeastern(Anaheim Ducks)

(photo by Matt Dewkett)

Roy chose to return to Northeastern for his senior season after three very successful seasons with the Huskies. That appeared to be a huge mistake through the first half of the season. Roy started the season in a miserable slump with an 11-game goalless streak before suffering an upper body injury that kept him out for almost two months. He started to return to form late in the season however, where he has showed his tremendous puck-handling ability to create offensive opportunities. At his best, Roy is an elite playmaker that could be a scorer at the pro level despite his size.

82. Michael Brodzinski, Defenseman, Minnesota(San Jose Sharks)

(photo by Matt Christians)

While Brodzinski can still be sometimes be frustrating in the defensive end, he has developed into one of the best pure shooters on the blue line in NCAA hockey. He has eight goals from the blue line this season, including three on the man advantage. His shot is an elite-level weapon which could make him a valuable commodity as a defenseman at the NHL level.

83. Dominik Shine, Forward, Northern Michigan(Free Agent)

Shine put up strong offensive numbers this year despite playing in an extremely conservative system. His combination of speed and toughness makes him a versatile offensive threat that can attack the opposition's defense one-on-one off the rush, or grind out tough goals in front of the opposition net. He's also excellent on the defensive end, meaning he can play any role in the pro game.

84. Brett Seney, Forward, Merrimack(New Jersey Devils)

Matt Dewkett

(photo by Matt Dewkett)

Seney followed his breakout freshman season, which got him drafted by the New Jersey Devils last summer, with virtually the same production in his sophomore season. For the second straight year, he scored exactly 26 points and led the Warriors in scoring. But also for the second consecutive season, he ended the year with a disappointing slump in his team's most important games. Seney has elite speed and skating ability which makes him a dangerous offensive threat, but is still working to become a more complete, three-zone player.

85. Casey Nelson, Defenseman, Minnesota State(Free Agent)

(photo by Matt Christians)

Nelson is a skilled offensive defenseman that is tremendous at creating his own shot. He is calm and poised in the offensive zone and sees the ice well. He's really improved defensively over the past two seasons as well to become a player that plays major minutes for Minnesota State in every situation. He has potential as a second pairing defenseman at the NHL level that can provide some scoring punch from the blue line.

86. Will Butcher, Defenseman, Denver(Colorado Avalanche)

(photo by Matt Christians)

Butcher has been a power play quarterback for the Pioneers each of the last three seasons. He's small, but makes up for that with excellent quickness and tremendous vision and playmaking ability with the puck. If he makes it as an NHL defenseman, it will be as an offensive defenseman that can contribute by distributing on the power play.

87. Brendan Warren, Forward, Michigan(Arizona Coyotes)

Dustin Satloff

(photo by Dustin Satloff)

Warren has put together a respectable freshman season at Michigan scoring 5-12-17 in 34 as a fixture on Michigan's third line. Warren doesn't possess elite offensive instincts, but makes up for that with hard work and tremendous skating ability that puts pressure on the opposing defense and creates open ice for teammates. He should see role expand at Michigan next season when he will be counted on to score more and play more minutes in high-leverage situations.

88. Keaton Thompson, Defenseman, North Dakota(Anaheim Ducks)

Thompson is over-shadowed by some of the more dynamic talents on North Dakota's blue line, but he's a reliable defender that would see a lot of minutes on nearly any other team. Thompson is a defensive defenseman who lacks high-end puck-handling abilities, but could fill a role as a depth defenseman at the NHL level.

89. Nolan Stevens, Forward, Northeastern(Undrafted)

Stevens came to Northeastern as a very raw power forward prospect coming out of the NTDP. He showed flashes of high-end ability, but was a little too lanky, awkward, and skinny to be consistently effective. But in his second year at Northeastern, he has started to grow into his big frame and has become a more consistent scorer with 17-20-37 in 38 games for the Huskies. He has potential to be a second or third line center at the NHL level if he continues on his strong upward development arc.

90. Zach Aston-Reese, Forward, Northeastern(Free Agent)

Zach Aston-Reese is Northeastern's leading scorer, and a big reason why the Huskies were able to turn their season around in the second half of the year. Aston-Reese is fast and strong, which gives him the ability to win one-on-one puck battles, especially along the boards. He isn't afraid to go to the dirty areas of the ice and can be tough to stop when he gets moving with the puck.