KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan freshman defenseman Zack Sharp was selected by the San Jose Sharks in the NHL Draft earlier today. 

Sharp was taken in the fourth round and was the 124th overall pick. This is the fourth straight season WMU has had a player taken in the NHL Draft. 

The Naperville, Ill. native played a key role in leading the Broncos to the National Championship, scoring nine points on five goals and four assists. He tallied 29 blocked shots and was a +19. 

Sharp was clutch in big-time moments, as four of his five goals came against opponents that were ranked or receiving votes. His biggest goal came in a 4-3 double overtime victory over Denver to help the Brown and Gold secure the NCHC Frozen Faceoff title. 

 

Heupel’s Moral Compass in the Age of NIL

In an era where name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals dominate the landscape of college football, Josh Heupel stands out as a beacon of integrity. While other coaches scramble to secure top talent through lucrative financial incentives, Heupel has chosen to prioritize fundamental values over extravagant offers, embodying a commitment to the principles of the game and his program.

A Divergent Path in Recruitment

The college football recruiting scene has seen dramatic shifts, with coaches like Sherrone Moore offering staggering sums—such as a $12 million NIL deal—to entice top prospects like Bryce Underwood. This trend raises questions about the future of college athletics, where financial incentives can overshadow traditional recruitment strategies. Yet, Heupel’s approach diverges sharply from this norm. He has made it clear that while financial support is important, the core values of teamwork, discipline, and character remain paramount in his vision for the Tennessee Volunteers.

Heupel’s decision to halt recruitment efforts that compromise these values speaks volumes about his leadership philosophy. He understands that success in college football is not merely a matter of assembling a roster filled with high-profile names; it is about fostering a culture that cultivates growth, resilience, and mutual respect among players.

The Turning Point for Tennessee

As Tennessee navigates a critical juncture in its football program, Heupel’s steadfastness in maintaining a principled stance could prove transformative. The emergence of pressing roster concerns underscores the importance of building a cohesive unit rather than merely attracting talent for talent’s sake. In a sport that often prioritizes immediate gratification through financial incentives, Heupel’s vision represents a longer-term strategy that could yield sustainable success.

The challenges ahead for Tennessee are significant, yet they also present an opportunity for Heupel to reinforce his commitment to a values-driven program. By focusing on character and cohesion, he aims to cultivate a team that can not only compete on the field but also thrive as a community off of it.

Looking Ahead: The Broader Implications

Heupel’s approach raises essential questions about the future of college football. As the NIL landscape continues to evolve, will more coaches follow suit, prioritizing values over financial gain? The implications of Heupel’s choices extend beyond Tennessee, potentially influencing how programs across the nation approach recruitment and team culture.

In a world where the allure of wealth can overshadow the essence of sport, Josh Heupel’s commitment to integrity serves as a reminder of what truly matters in athletics. His journey with the Volunteers is not just about winning games; it is about shaping young men into responsible athletes and citizens. As the season unfolds, the impact of his values-driven approach will likely resonate beyond the field, setting a precedent for future generations in college football.

DENVER – Two incoming freshmen on the University of Denver hockey team were selected by the host Los Angeles Kings on Saturday at the 2025 NHL Draft. Kristian Epperson was chosen at No. 88 overall in the third round by the Kings before Brendan McMorrow was picked later by the franchise at No. 196 overall in round 7 at L.A. Live’s Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California.
 
This is the 24th straight season that Denver has had a player chosen in the NHL’s annual entry selection, and the Pioneers have now had multiple picks in each of the last 10 drafts. Overall, 138 Denver hockey players that have been chosen by NHL clubs.
 
Epperson, 19, spent the 2024-25 season with the Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League after playing the previous two years with the U.S. National Team Development Program. He scored 27 goals and 53 assists for 80 points in 58 regular-season games with Saginaw and contributed three goals and one assist in five playoff matchups. At the NTDP, the forward registered 64 points (27g/37a) in 115 total games across two seasons from 2022-2024.
 
The Mequon, Wisconsin, native won a gold medal with Team USA at 2022 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, contributing three goals and two assists in six contests. He is also a product of Shattuck-St. Mary’s prep school in Minnesota where he combined for 187 points (76g/111a) with the Sabres from 2020-2022.
 
McMorrow, 19, is joining the Pioneers this year after playing with the Waterloo Black Hawks of the United States Hockey League last season. The forward scored 24 goals and added 18 assists for 42 points with Waterloo in 58 regular-season games, earning team MVP honors. He tied for fifth in the league in postseason scoring in 2025 with 14 points (7g/7a) in 15 playoff contests and helped Black Hawks reach the Clark Cup Finals.
 
The Lakeville, Minnesota, native skated for two years with the U.S. National Team Development Program from 2022-2024, compiling 74 points (38g/36a) in 121 career games with Team USA. McMorrow won a silver medal with the Americans at the 2024 IIHF U18 World Championships and won a gold for the country at the 2024 World Junior-A Challenge.
 
This is the second-straight season that Denver has had two players selected by the same NHL franchise in the draft, as Jake Fisher (No. 121) and Tory Pitner (No. 185) were each picked by the Colorado Avalanche in 2024.
 

Colorado College incoming freshman Wilson Björck was selected by the Vancouver Canucks in the fifth round of the 2025 National Hockey League (NHL) Draft Saturday in Los Angeles, Calif. 
 
Björck, a forward from Stockholm, Sweden, had 91 points (37g,54a) in 84 games with Djurgardens IF in Sweden the last two seasons and played for his home country in the 2023 Hlinka Cup.
 
“Congratulations to Wilson on his selection in the NHL Draft by the Vancouver Canucks,” Colorado College head coach Kris Mayotte said. “He had a tremendous year is Sweden and we are excited to help further his development over the next few seasons. Wilson is a highly skilled and competitive forward who is comfortable playing any of the three forward positions. Our staff is excited to help him achieve his goal of playing in the NHL.” 

He is the highest draft pick from Colorado College since then-incoming freshman Noah Laba was a fourth-round selection by the New York Rangers in 2022.

 

Björck, the 143^rd overall selection, is the 91^st player in CC history to be drafted by the NHL since 1969.

With the 8th overall pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, the Seattle Kraken added another talented center to their growing pipeline, selecting Jake O’Brien of the Brantford Bulldogs. The Toronto native turned heads this season with his elite vision and playmaking ability, racking up 32 goals and 66 assists for 98 points in just 68 OHL regular-season games.

O’Brien was the engine behind Brantford’s power play, quarterbacking the top unit and piling up 41 power-play assists—a testament to both his patience and precision. His ability to manipulate defenders and carve through coverage is already drawing praise from scouts. Cam Robinson of Elite Prospects described O’Brien as a player whose “head is always up, scanning, adjusting routes, and inviting defenders to make the first move before slicing them apart with a feed.” In short: he sees plays develop before they even happen.

At 6-foot-1.5 and 172 pounds, O’Brien isn’t the biggest player on the ice, but he rarely needs to be. His game is built on feel, finesse, and hockey sense. While many analysts have noted that he still has room to grow in terms of shooting and skating, his offensive instincts are already NHL-caliber.

Brantford opens the scoring #NHLDraft prospect Jake O’Brien scores a late first period goal for the @BulldogsOHL to put them up 1-0 heading into the first intermission!#OHLPlayoffs | @CHLHockey pic.twitter.com/p1EaqcmBTA

— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) April 19, 2025

The Kraken are banking on that upside. O’Brien’s pedigree also speaks volumes, his mom played high-level hockey and now runs her own hockey school, which Jake frequented growing up to fine-tune his craft. His dad also played Division I college hockey and logged a year in the ECHL. The hockey DNA runs deep in the O’Brien family.

This selection marks the fourth time in five drafts that Seattle has used a first-round pick on a center, following Matty Beniers (2021), Shane Wright (2022), and Berkly Catton (2024). And while not all centers stay at that position as pros, the organizational philosophy is clear: keep stacking the middle of the ice. The old saying goes, “You can never have too many centers,” and Seattle seems happy to live by that rule.

Whether O’Brien eventually lands at center or shifts to the wing, his ability to create offense and tilt the ice is what earned him OHL Rookie of the Year honors in 2023-24, when he posted 64 points in 61 games as a 16-year-old. That was just the beginning. The Kraken hope he’s only getting started.