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Minnesota State’s season ended on Sunday evening with a 4-1 loss to Michigan Tech in the semifinals of the WCHA playoffs. With the loss, all attention turned to sophomore defenseman Daniel Brickley, who was one of the top available free agents in the NCAA this season. But NHL teams will have to wait at least one year to sign the big offensive defenseman, according to TSN’s Bob McKenzie.
Minnesota State sophomore D Daniel Brickley, a highly-sought after NHL UFA, has decided to return to school for his junior year.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) March 13, 2017
We ranked Brickley as the second-best available free agent in the NCAA this season, and the 35th-best NHL prospect overall in the NCAA this season. Brickley’s combination of size and offensive capabilities made him an attractive pro prospect. He average a point-per-game with an 8-23-31 scoring line in 31 games this year, which ranked 8th nationally in scoring, and second overall in points per game.