Five Of The Top NCAA Free Agents Remaining
Dive into five undrafted players poised to join the professional ranks after their collegiate seasons.
Some of the most coveted players in the NCAA were passed over at the NHL Draft! As more programs get eliminated from tournament contention, NHL teams look to add to their repertoire ahead of the Stanley Cup Playoffs or to bolster their prospect pool. I break down five of the best remaining undrafted free agents remaining in college hockey.
Denver’s Kent Anderson Named 2025-26 NCHC Senior Scholar-Athlete Award Winner Pioneers team captain and defenseman carries a 3. 9 GPA while majoring in finance Kent Anderson, Defenseman, University of Denver (NCHC) Anderson is a guy I've had my eye since his days with the USHL's Green Bay Gamblers. He is a big strong, defensive defenseman coming in at 6 foot 3, 205 pounds, that does the little things right on the back end.
Denver's captain uses his size and large wingspan to disrupt offensive possessions, seeing the game at a deep level. Add Anderson's IQ to his physical gifts and NHL teams have a young third paring defenseman ripe for the picking. Wisconsin center Grady Deering (17) handles the puck with pressure from Western Michigan defenseman Zach Bookman (37) in the Kwik Trip Holiday Face-Off championship game Monday, December 29, 2025, at Fiserv Forum in MIlwaukee, Wisconsin.
Zach Bookman, Defenseman, Western Michigan University (NCHC) The Broncos got an absolute gem when Bookman transferred over from Merrimack this season. Bookman makes use of time and space to draw multiple opponents to him in all three zones. His skating is some of the best I've seen from a defenseman this season.