FBI and law enforcement respond to ‘terror attack’ in Boulder, Colorado
BOULDER, Colo. — Several people were injured and some may have been set on fire at an outdoor mall in Boulder, Colorado, police said. Police said a man was taken into custody in the attack that the FBI immediately described as a “targeted terror attack.” Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn told reporters Sunday evening […]
BOULDER, Colo. — Several people were injured and some may have been set on fire at an outdoor mall in Boulder, Colorado, police said. Police said a man was taken into custody in the attack that the FBI immediately described as a “targeted terror attack.”
Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn told reporters Sunday evening that it was too early to discuss a motive but that witnesses were being interviewed.
“It would be irresponsible for me to speculate on motive this early on,” he said.
The Boulder attack took place at a popular pedestrian mall known for attracting tourists and college students. On Sunday, demonstrators with a volunteer group called Run For Their Lives had gathered to call for the release of hostages who remain in Gaza. The group has multiple chapters across the world that regularly meet to walk to advocate for hostage releases.
Sunday’s attack also occurred as law enforcement authorities in the U.S. grapple with a spike in antisemitic violence. And last week, a man was arrested on charges in the fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy staffers and shouted “Free Palestine” as he was being led away by police.
Boulder police said there were “several victims” in the attack. The injuries authorities found were consistent with reports of individuals being set on fire, Redfearn said, adding that injuries ranged from serious to minor.
Multiple blocks of the pedestrian mall area were evacuated by police. The scene shortly after the attack was tense, as law enforcement agents with a police dog walked through the streets looking for threats and instructed the public to stay clear of the pedestrian mall.
“Our agents and local law enforcement are on the scene already, and we will share updates as more information becomes available,” FBI Director Kash Patel posted on social media.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said in a statement that he was “closely monitoring” the situation, adding that “hate-filled acts of any kind are unacceptable.”
As the recruiting landscape in college football changes with the addition of NIL and now revenue sharing from the House settlement, some new powers are emerging. One of those potential programs on the rise is Texas Tech football, which has an emerging head coach in Joey McGuire and a wide recruiting base that has already […]
As the recruiting landscape in college football changes with the addition of NIL and now revenue sharing from the House settlement, some new powers are emerging. One of those potential programs on the rise is Texas Tech football, which has an emerging head coach in Joey McGuire and a wide recruiting base that has already been on full display over the last few seasons.
This offseason, Texas Tech has taken it up another notch and emerged as a force to be reckoned with on the recruiting scene in the Big 12. Recently, 2026 five-star offensive lineman Felix Ojo committed to Texas Tech, choosing to come to Lubbock over some of the biggest powerhouses in college football in Ohio State, Texas and Michigan.
Of course, that move opened some eyes. It was later revealed that Ojo got a $5.1 million deal to come to Texas Tech, showing off the resources that the Red Raiders have in this new era of college football recruiting. Now, they seem to have a good chance to carry that over into next offseason and beyond as well.
Texas Tech has landed a prediction to get a commitment from five-star EDGE LaDamion Guyton in the Class of 2027, according to Sam Spiegelman of Rivals. Guyton is the No. 1 overall recruit in the class of 2027, according to Rivals, so a commitment to the Red Raiders would represent a seismic shift from the usual suspects that dominate the recruiting scene.
“NEW: Rivals’ @samspiegs has logged an expert prediction for Texas Tech to land 2027 5-star EDGE LaDamion Guyton,” Rivals wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “Guyton is Rivals’ No. 1 overall recruit in the 2027 class.”
Texas Tech also landed a five-star recruit in the Class of 2024 in wide receiver Micah Hudson, who is back in Lubbock after leaving for Texas A&M this offseason. While Hudson has not quite worked out yet during his time in college, the ability to land a recruit with that pedigree was a great early sign that this Red Raiders program was on the rise.
McGuire and company will be looking to make some noise during the 2025 season before Ojo and the rest of the 2026 class come in. They should have ample opportunity to do so in a Big 12 Conference that was up for grabs last season and figures to be once again this fall.
Atlanta Gladiators Trade for Defenseman Brendan Less |
The Atlanta Gladiators announced Monday that the ECHL ice hockey club has acquired defenseman Brendan Less from the Adirondack Thunder in exchange for defenseman Easton Armstrong and forward Nick Wong. Less, 27, recorded 1 goal and 19 assists with a +11 rating in 51 games with the Thunder last season. The native of Kinnelon, New […]
The Atlanta Gladiators announced Monday that the ECHL ice hockey club has acquired defenseman Brendan Less from the Adirondack Thunder in exchange for defenseman Easton Armstrong and forward Nick Wong.
Less, 27, recorded 1 goal and 19 assists with a +11 rating in 51 games with the Thunder last season. The native of Kinnelon, New Jersey brings over 100 games of ECHL experience to the Gladiators blue line having spent time with Worcester, Iowa, and Adirondack over the last four seasons, logging 3 goals and 35 assists for 38 points in 123 career regular-season ECHL games.
The 6-foot-1, 180-pound defenseman spent four years playing NCAA Division I hockey at Dartmouth College from 2017-2021 prior to playing at Quinnipiac for the 2021-22 season. In 125 NCAA games, Less notched 6 goals and 30 assists. After completing his college career, he joined the Worcester Railers to end the 2021-22 season.
“Brendan is a very steady two-way defenseman that will be relied upon to play big minutes for us,” said Gladiators Director of Hockey Operations and Head Coach Matt Ginn. “When it became known that Brendan was available, we jumped at the opportunity right away to improve our backend. He is a great skater and puck mover that uses his feet to his advantage when defending. We have only heard great things about Brendan as a person and teammate, and are excited to add him to our group.”
UNLV AD Erick Harper Talks NIL, House Vs. NCAA Settlement, Future Of Rebels Athletics
The Las Vegas Review-Journal recently did an extensive sit-down interview with the UNLV Rebels athletic director, Erick Harper. One of the things he’s had to navigate since taking over the job in Sin City is the drastic changes that have come to the NCAA landscape, with NIL deals being one of the major catalysts. Harper […]
The Las Vegas Review-Journal recently did an extensive sit-down interview with the UNLV Rebels athletic director, Erick Harper. One of the things he’s had to navigate since taking over the job in Sin City is the drastic changes that have come to the NCAA landscape, with NIL deals being one of the major catalysts. Harper spoke about the impact NIL deals will have on the UNLV football program and how plans to navigate this constantly changing advancement in the college game moving forward after the House vs. NCAA settlement.
“In looking at all the information, we were open-minded both ways. We wanted to make sure we maintained our competitive nature. Obviously, most people in the country were leaning toward opting in. We were leaning toward opting in the entire time.”
“The budget will determine what the ceiling is. We have not arrived at that final figure at this point. We’re working through logistics on our campus on how we do that.”
“We will discuss that as a department and with everyone on my team. And look also at what others are doing around the country to make sure, particularly within our conference, that we are competitive in that space… Nobody is going to be 100 percent happy all the time, and that’s impossible for you to make everyone 100 percent happy. You have to do what’s best for your institution relative to your student-athletes. You’ve heard me say it many times — our student-athlete experience is No. 1 for us. However we get that done, we just have to do the best we can.”
“I think any type of oversight that (makes it so) we’re all basically beating the same drum is beneficial. It’s also only going to be as good as the information put in the (NIL application for compensation).”
“It has gotten better each year. I think it’s a good thing. We still have areas that we can improve on in that particular space, and I think each year we get better at it.”
“Pretty much. It had been going on so long, you just wanted to get some clarity so you could move forward accordingly. There was always a chance something could change and affect how you wanted to do things or how you wanted to implement. No one likes to do a ton of work and then have to flip and do something else.”
Oklahoma AD Joe Castiglione Steps Down; What’s Next for Sooners Athletics?
Joe Castiglione announced his retirement as Oklahoma’s athletic director after 27 years, ending the longest tenure of any current AD in major college sports. He’ll transition to Athletic Director Emeritus while the Sooners search for his replacement. What does this news mean for the “OU” football team? Will the school find a replacement by the […]
Joe Castiglione announced his retirement as Oklahoma’s athletic director after 27 years, ending the longest tenure of any current AD in major college sports. He’ll transition to Athletic Director Emeritus while the Sooners search for his replacement.
What does this news mean for the “OU” football team? Will the school find a replacement by the beginning of football season?
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What Does AD Joe Castiglione’s Retirement Mean for Oklahoma Athletics?
Joe Castiglione built one of college sports’ most successful programs during his time in Norman. The numbers tell the story: 26 national championships across all sports, including eight softball titles and five Final Four appearances in basketball. He also guided Oklahoma through its move from the Big 12 to the SEC, a transition that reshaped college athletics.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel broke the news that Castiglione will step down during the 2025-26 academic year. The timing gives Oklahoma several months to find its successor while keeping him on campus as Athletic Director Emeritus.
Sources: Oklahoma AD Joe Castiglione will retire from his full-time role during the upcoming school year, bringing an end to the longest-tenured run for a current AD in major college sports. Upon the hiring of his successor, he will stay on as athletic director emeritus. pic.twitter.com/ZHHgMEiITT
Thamel reported that Castiglione discussed retirement with university officials a month ago. “The timing of the move will allow OU to make a hire in the upcoming months and transition with Castiglione on campus,” he posted on X.
How Did Castiglione Transform Oklahoma Into a National Power?
When Castiglione took over in 1998, Oklahoma football had fallen from its championship heights of the 1970s and 1980s. He hired Bob Stoops in 1999, a move that paid off immediately when the Sooners won the national title in 2000. That championship marked the beginning of Oklahoma’s return to elite status.
His coaching hires shaped the program’s identity. After Stoops retired, Castiglione brought in Lincoln Riley, who led the Sooners to three College Football Playoff appearances. When Riley left for USC, he hired Brent Venables to rebuild the defense-first culture that made Oklahoma famous.
The softball program became Castiglione’s crown jewel. Those eight national championships made Oklahoma the premier destination for elite softball talent. The women’s basketball team reached multiple Final Fours, while men’s basketball had its moments under different coaches throughout his tenure.
HOW WELL WILL OKLAHOMA DO IN YEAR 2 OF SEC PLAY? CHECK OUR SEC SEASON PREDICTIONS
Beyond wins and losses, Castiglione navigated massive changes in college athletics. He managed the transition from the Big 12 to the SEC, a move that will generate millions more in revenue for Oklahoma. The shift to the SEC represents the biggest conference realignment move in school history.
Who Could Replace Castiglione at Oklahoma?
Finding Castiglione’s replacement won’t be simple. The new AD will inherit a program with high expectations across multiple sports and the pressure of competing in the SEC. They’ll also need to handle Name, Image, and Likeness deals, transfer portal management, and facility upgrades.
Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger reported that Castiglione and university officials will hold a press conference Tuesday at 9 a.m. local time to discuss the transition and his new emeritus role.
Oklahoma announces that AD Joe Castiglione will hold a news conference Tuesday, with other school officials, to announce his retirement. It ends one of the longest running AD stints in the history of major Division I athletics. pic.twitter.com/P7DBBJLqSv
The search committee will likely target candidates with Power Five experience and proven fundraising abilities. Oklahoma’s athletic budget exceeds $200 million annually, requiring someone comfortable managing large-scale operations. Experience with conference realignment and media negotiations could also factor into the decision.
Castiglione’s emeritus role should help smooth the transition. His institutional knowledge and relationships with donors, coaches, and conference officials will be valuable resources for whoever takes over. The 28th year of his tenure will serve as a bridge to the next era of Sooners athletics.
HOUSTON – The journey for the United States Men’s National Team in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup ended Sunday night with a 2-1 loss to defending champion and rival Mexico in an intense, World Cup-level tournament final in front of a sold-out crowd of 70,925 at NRG Stadium. The result concludes a gritty, determined run […]
HOUSTON – The journey for the United States Men’s National Team in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup ended Sunday night with a 2-1 loss to defending champion and rival Mexico in an intense, World Cup-level tournament final in front of a sold-out crowd of 70,925 at NRG Stadium.
The result concludes a gritty, determined run for a young and relatively inexperienced USMNT roster led by first-year head coach Mauricio Pochettino.
Mexico entered Sunday’s match favored as the reigning champions, though both teams reached the final after wins by one goal in the mid-week semifinals. On Wednesday, the U.S. met their toughest challenge to date and quelled a loud, pro-Guatemala crowd at Energizer Park in St. Louis with a 2-1 win. Later that night, Mexico edged out Honduras 1-0 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.
The two Concacaf forces collided in this year’s final for the eighth time in Gold Cup history. Overall, the United States and Mexico have dominated the tournament, combining now to win the tournament 17 out of 18 times.
Pochettino opted for continuity with his lineup and ran out the same starting XI for the third-straight match. It was the first time the USMNT has started the same lineup in three consecutive Gold Cup knockout matches.
The USA’s starting XI for the Gold Cup final was emblematic of the camp roster – profuse with rising talent and a few veterans mixed in. Tonight, five starters brought experience playing against Mexico, including midfielder Tyler Adams and captain Tim Ream, while for several players it was the first time in their international careers they faced the regional rival.
Eight of the previous 10 finals between the USMNT and Mexico across all competitions have been won by the team that scored first, so both sides started Sunday’s match looking to establish themselves from the opening kick. The initial moments were nervy, given the stakes and booming noise of 70,925 in attendance.
Less than four minutes into the match, the United States opened the scoring with a combination that has been successful this tournament. Forward Patrick Agyemang drew a foul that set up a direct free kick from about 40 yards out for the United States.Midfielder Sebastian Berhalter took the kick, driving a terrific ball into the box. Center back Chris Richards judged the kick beautifully and beat his defender to direct a header on goal. The header bounced down off the underside of the crossbar and over the goal line to put the U.S. ahead 1-0 early.
It was the second time this tournament that Berhalter assisted a Richards’ goal. The two previously linked up on a set piece for the lone goal against Saudi Arabia in the group stage.
Mexico slowly began to control possession as the first half progressed. In the 13th minute, goalkeeper Matt Freese, in his seventh cap and sixth straight start for the U.S., was called into action. Sixteen-year-old Gilberto Mora for Mexico fed the ball to Roberto Alvarado. The center forward’s left-footed strike from the right side of the box put the first shot on target on the night for Mexico, but Freese collected for the easy save. Later in the 24th minute, Freese made his second save on a long-range, sinking shot from Mora.
Soon, the advantage in possession paid off and Mexico leveled the match in the 27th minute. After some patient buildup, midfielder Marcel Ruíz slipped a through ball inside the box to Raúl Jiménez. The striker slammed a quick-fire shot off his left foot for his second goal in as many matches.
Mexico’s possession kept the United States off the ball and without a shot since the opening goal. In the 37th minute, midfielder Malik Tillman tipped the scales of possession in favor of the U.S., breaking through Mexico’s defense. The U.S. was not able to create a chance out of the stretch of possession, and minutes later the ball ended up in Mexico’s half. Mora fired another long-range shot that got scarily close to slipping in below the crossbar, but Freese’s long reach resulted in his fourth save of the night.
In first-half stoppage time, the U.S. nearly scored the go-ahead goal. Out of Mexico’s half, Berhalter served a long ball over the top. Defender Alex Freeman, stretching the U.S. attack, ran it down on a dead sprint and headed the ball over Ángel Malagón. The Mexico goalkeeper blocked the attempt off his head, but the ball stayed in bounds. After a wild flurry, the ball ended up on the right foot of Diego Luna inside the box. Though Luna eventually skied the shot, the chance gave the U.S. a jolt of momentum heading into the halftime break.
Both sides approached the second 45 on the front foot, battling hard for loose balls and trading looks for the go-ahead goal. For Mexico, Alvarado hit a left-footed shot from outside the box that got very close to tucking into the far side netting. For the U.S., a skillful stepover move from fullback Max Arfsten set up a curling strike that sailed wide of frame.
The tension built as the two teams remained even until Mexico broke the 50-minute deadlock. Off a direct free kick from wide on the left flank, Edson Álvarez stayed onside and dove to redirect a flick from Johan Vásquez with a header of his own to give Mexico the 2-1 lead.
The U.S. pushed to find the equalizer in the dying moments of full time. The United States got close several times – including off a free kick in the 87th minute and when Agyemang broke free to receive a long ball from Ream in second-half stoppage time. Even with a sense of urgency, the U.S. couldn’t find the equalizer to hold off Mexico from winning back-to-back titles.
The match, played 340 days away from the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, gave the world a glimpse of the kind of competition to expect next summer. This year’s Gold Cup was the last major competitive tournament for the U.S. until the World Cup comes to the U.S., Mexico and Canada, and the USMNT now heads into one of the most important moments in U.S. Soccer history battle tested.
Goal Scoring Rundown:
USA – CHRIS RICHARDS (SEBASTIAN BERHALTER), 4th minute: TheUnited States opened the scoring on a set piece. Berhalter’s right-footed service on a direct free kick from the right flank was slightly behind Richards, but the center back positioned himself for a header on frame 12 yards out from goal. The driven header hit the underside of the middle of the crossbar and fell downward over the goal line. USA 1, MEX 0
MEX – RAÚL JIMÉNEZ (MARCEL RUÍZ), 27th minute: Ruíz sent a through ball to Jiménez making a run inside the box. Jiménez’s hit the ball hard off his left foot from about 10 yards out and stuck it into the upper back of the net to even the score. USA 1, MEX 1
MEX – EDSON ÁLVAREZ (JOHAN VÁSQUEZ), 77th minute: Mexico drew a foul on the left flank and earned a free kick from 20 yards out. Vásquez flicked the initial service toward goal, before Álvarez drove his header into the back of the net from six yards out. USA 1, MEX 2 FINAL.
Additional Notes:
Chris Richards scored the third goal of his international career and second in a final. He becomes the third player to score multiple final goals for the USMNT, joining Landon Donovan and Gio Reyna.
Sebastian Berhalter recorded his second career assist on the opening goal in the fourth minute, both assisted goals scored by Richards.
Center back Tim Ream became the 34th player to reach 75 caps for the USMNT. He captained the USA for the 21st time tonight.
Tyler Adams earned his 50th cap, becoming the 65th player to reach the half century mark for the USMNT.
The U.S. moves to 24W-38L-17D against Mexico all-time.
U.S. MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM MATCH REPORT –
Match: United States Men’s National Team vs. Mexico Date: July 6, 2025 Competition: 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup; Final Venue: NRG Stadium; Houston, Texas Attendance: 70,925 (sellout) Kickoff: 6 p.m. CT (7 p.m. ET) Weather: Indoors
The 2025 NHL Entry Draft saw five current and five incoming college hockey players selected in the first round, 76 total across seven rounds. The NCAA landscape is changing after a rule dictated that CHL players would be allowed to enroll and play college hockey. Thus, this draft was uniquely intriguing, as 15 CHL players […]
The 2025 NHL Entry Draft saw five current and five incoming college hockey players selected in the first round, 76 total across seven rounds. The NCAA landscape is changing after a rule dictated that CHL players would be allowed to enroll and play college hockey. Thus, this draft was uniquely intriguing, as 15 CHL players with college commitments were selected, including two through the first 18 picks.
College hockey is viewed as a higher level of competition than the OHL, WHL and QMJHL because players are older and more experienced. After all, it’s not uncommon for NCAA teams to have multiple players over 24 years old, while CHL teams prohibit players who are 21 years old when the season begins. This rule change has ramifications across the hockey world, as players who age out of juniors can now enter college at 21 years old and play for four years.
This article will focus on players selected in the first two rounds who will play college hockey during the upcoming season. The ever-changing landscape could mean additions such as sixth-overall pick Porter Martone has been rumored to be interested in joining Penn State, while No. 1 2026 prospect Gavin McKenna is also flirting with an NCAA commitment for the upcoming season.
For up-to-the-minute updates on injuries, lineups, roster changes and more, head to RotoWire’s NHL News or follow @RotoWireNHL on X.
FORWARDS
James Hagens, Bruins (Round 1, 7th
The 2025 NHL Entry Draft saw five current and five incoming college hockey players selected in the first round, 76 total across seven rounds. The NCAA landscape is changing after a rule dictated that CHL players would be allowed to enroll and play college hockey. Thus, this draft was uniquely intriguing, as 15 CHL players with college commitments were selected, including two through the first 18 picks.
College hockey is viewed as a higher level of competition than the OHL, WHL and QMJHL because players are older and more experienced. After all, it’s not uncommon for NCAA teams to have multiple players over 24 years old, while CHL teams prohibit players who are 21 years old when the season begins. This rule change has ramifications across the hockey world, as players who age out of juniors can now enter college at 21 years old and play for four years.
This article will focus on players selected in the first two rounds who will play college hockey during the upcoming season. The ever-changing landscape could mean additions such as sixth-overall pick Porter Martone has been rumored to be interested in joining Penn State, while No. 1 2026 prospect Gavin McKenna is also flirting with an NCAA commitment for the upcoming season.
For up-to-the-minute updates on injuries, lineups, roster changes and more, head to RotoWire’s NHL News or follow @RotoWireNHL on X.
FORWARDS
James Hagens, Bruins (Round 1, 7th overall)
The Long Island kid was in the conversation for the No. 1 pick ahead of the 2024-25 season, but an underwhelming 11 goals and 26 points in 37 games at Boston College caused him to slip to No. 7. For reference, Macklin Celebrini – a superstar in the making for the Sharks – posted 32 goals and 32 assists across 38 games at Boston University before being selected first overall last draft. Hagens will likely stay at BC for a second season where he’ll be the focal point of a forward corps that lost Ryan Leonard (Capitals) and Gabe Perreault (Rangers). He should be a top-six center for the Bruins by the 2026-27 season.
Cole Reschny, Flames (Round 1, 18th overall)
Reschny will enroll at the University of North Dakota after being selected No. 18 by the Flames in June’s draft. In the WHL last year, Reschny rang up 92 points across 62 regular-season games and 25 points over 11 playoff games. He’s on the smaller side (5-foot-10, 187 pounds), but he’s defensively sound and an elite playmaker, giving him a chance to stick at center in the NHL, although he’ll be a fine fantasy option even if he gets bumped to the wing. It wouldn’t be surprising if he spent two seasons at North Dakota before signing.
Will Horcoff, Penguins (Round 1, 24th overall)
Horcoff joined the University of Michigan halfway through the 2024-25 season and fit right in with 10 points through 18 games as the team’s youngest player. The 6-foot-4, 190-pound winger needs to get a bit quicker before making the jump to the NHL in a couple of years, but he should at least fit in as a third-liner for the Penguins at that point.
Ryker Lee, Predators (Round 1, 26th overall)
Lee led the Madison Capitols of the USHL with 31 goals and 68 points last season. It’s easy to see how the Predators fell in love with his wicked wrist shot, but he has a lot to prove at the NCAA level. Specifically, his size (6-foot, 181 pounds) isn’t offset by elite skating, and he doesn’t consistently attack the slot. Michigan State is a program that’s more than qualified to round him out as a player, but Lee’s a riskier option at this point.
Cullen Potter, Flames (Round 1, 32nd overall)
Potter’s an elite skater who enrolled at Arizona State as a 17-year-old and posted 13 goals and nine assists across 35 games. He’s smaller (5-foot-10, 172 pounds) and isn’t a standout playmaker, but his skills are good enough to become a third-line player with power-play upside after a couple more years of fine-tuning in the desert.
Malcolm Spence, Rangers (Round 2, 43rd overall)
Spence was the Rangers’ first pick of the draft at No. 43. He was often mocked to go in the mid-20s, so this appears to be an excellent value for the Blueshirts. Spence racked up 73 points over 65 games in the OHL last season. He’s fast and competitive on both ends of the ice with a solid all-around skillset, but offensively, his stats probably won’t be a difference-maker for fantasy purposes at the next level. Expect Spence to develop for a couple of seasons at Michigan before he flirts with signing an entry-level deal.
Charlie Cerrato, Hurricanes (Round 2, 49th overall)
Cerrato’s freshman season at Penn State was outstanding, as he produced 15 goals and 42 points through 38 games during the Frozen Four run. However, he’s a late bloomer, as he’s already 20 years old. Many players who aren’t drafted until 20 years old have middling athleticism, but Cerrato’s college production is outstanding nonetheless, and he’ll be a compelling player to watch develop over the next couple of seasons.
DEFENSEMEN
Jackson Smith, Blue Jackets (Round 1, 14th overall)
Smith was the first CHL player taken that had committed to the NCAA (Penn State). The Calgary native has a knack for jumping up on the rush, and while he sometimes spends too much time attacking, it translated to 54 points through 68 games in the WHL last season. Smith has the size (6-foot-3, 190 pounds) and defensive ability to eventually earn a top-four role with the Blue Jackets, and there’s fantasy upside as a power-play quarterback.
Logan Hensler, Senators (Round 1, 23rd overall)
The youngest player at the University of Wisconsin by 16 months, Hensler was a top-four defenseman and won gold at the U20 World Juniors. He’s an excellent skater whose defensive game is solid and should continue to develop under head coach Mike Hastings, but he needs to prove himself offensively next season. The Senators already had Wisconsin players Blake Montgomery and Tyson Dyck in the pipeline, and they also added Bruno Idzan in the sixth round of this draft.
Sascha Boumedienne, Jets (Round 1, 28th overall)
Boumedienne was the youngest player in the NCAA last season, but he still managed top-four minutes and posted 13 points through 40 games on a Terriers team that made it to the National Championship. He’s a smooth skater who will continue to develop offensively at BU, but his defensive game is what will propel him to the next level after a couple more college seasons.
Haoxi Wang (Sharks) and Carter Amico (Flyers) will also head to Boston University next season, and Jacob Rombach (Predators) will skate for Minnesota. The trio was selected in the first six picks of the second round. They’re all at least 6-foot-5 and picked partly because of the potential that comes with such size. They move well but haven’t produced much offensively yet and will face even stiffer competition in the NCAA ranks.
GOALIES
Jack Ivankovic, Predators (Round 2, 58th overall)
Perhaps the Predators felt comfortable taking a swing on Ivankovic because of their success with Juuse Saros — the league’s shortest goalie. Both goalies measured in at 5-foot-11, and Saros has been a steady No. 1 goalie over the past five seasons. Ivankovic put together two strong campaigns in the OHL and registered a dominant .961 save percentage and 6-0-0 record across six games for Canada’s U18 World Junior team as a 17-year-old. Still, goalies are inherently risky bets, and his stature makes the margin for error even thinner. The University of Michigan will be a proper test for his future.
Cournoyer wasn’t selected in his first eligible draft, but he posted a .942 save percentage through 21 games in the QMJHL last season and was selected in the fifth round by the Canadiens as a result. Cournoyer was the sixth goalie the Canadiens have taken over the last three drafts, so he’ll have plenty of competition when his time comes. He could start immediately at Cornell, however.
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