Penn State University’s standout freshman forward Gavin McKenna (#1 among North American skaters per NHL Central Scouting) was the recent recipient of three accolades. Yesterday, he was announced as the conference Freshman of the Year. As part of the same announcement, he also was named to the All-Big 10 First Team. Finally, McKenna is a top 10 candidate for the Hobey Baker Award, college hockey’s version of the Heisman Trophy. Not a bad haul for the sixth-youngest player in the NCAA, especially considering players such as fellow Hobey Baker candidate TJ Hughes are up to six years older than McKenna. McKenna sits right behind another fellow Hobey Baker candidate, Quinnipiac’s Ethan Wyttenbach (who has 58 points), as the nation’s second-leading scorer with 51 points (15G 36A).
On the other side of the pond, Frolunda HC forward Ivar Stenberg (#1 among international skaters) concluded his SHL regular season with 33 points (11G 22A). His points total represents the 5th most points recorded in SHL history by a draft-eligible player, one point behind Hall-of-Famer Henrik Sedin.
Fellow Swedish forward Viggo Bjorck (#5 among international skaters) also is making plenty of noise heading into the upcoming draft. Originally listed as a “B” prospect (2nd/3rd rounder) by NHL Central Scouting, his stellar play has resulted in a promotion to the SHL’s Djurgardens IF club. He is now considered a potential top 10 pick. In addition to his endless creativity with the puck, Bjorck also was the go-to face-off man in Sweden’s gold medal run at this year’s World Junior Championship.
Unlike McKenna or Stenberg, London Knights forward (#45 among NA skaters) is a relative newcomer to the sport. A Canadian citizen, Cover grew up in the Cayman Islands, not making the switch from inline to ice hockey until he was 13 years of age. His background alone makes him a sentimental favorite to go high in this year’s draft, but it is his fearlessness in going to the dirty areas of the ice that renders him a most interesting prospect. Cover has 48 points (20G 28A) in 65 games this season, and is a stalwart on the Knights’ power play due to his excellent scoring knack.
Like Cover, Oshawa Generals forward Brooks Rogowski (#14 among NA skaters) knows about transitioning to a much higher level of hockey as well. Rogowski played Michigan high school hockey, and actually was entertaining a baseball career, until making the switch to the OHL in 2024-25. The large center (6’6″ 231 LBS.) now is poised to be selected in the first or second round of this draft, and after one more season with the Generals will attend Michigan State University in 2027-28 to further pursue a hockey career. He is renowned for his skating and play-making abilities for a player of his size.
Tri-City Storm d-man Bode Laylin (#103 among NA skaters) is having an excellent draft season in the USHL. He has amassed a career-best 34 points (10G 24A) in 49 games, and is on pace to double his previous high in points (38). For his efforts, Laylin twice has been named USHL Defenseman of the week, for weeks ending February 1st and 15th. Laylin is praised for his attention to detail on the defensive end of things, and his hyper-competitive spirit.