Each week, this column will highlight NHL prospect and 2019 draft-eligible player news, with a close eye on U.S. men's college hockey, and share some thoughts from recent prospect viewings as we look ahead to June's 2019 NHL draft.
The college hockey world turns its attention to Boston on Monday for the 67th Beanpot final, featuring defending champion Northeastern and Boston College.
Northeastern is seeking its first back-to-back Beanpots since 1984-85, when the Huskies topped Boston University in consecutive years. To do it, they'll be looking to Vancouver Canucks draft pick Tyler Madden, who is tied for the team's scoring lead as a freshman, and goaltender Cayden Primeau (Montreal Canadiens) to be the catalysts. Both were also part of Team USA's silver medal finish at this year's World Junior Championship. For Primeau, this will be his second crack at starting the Beanpot final, after standing on his head with 38 saves in last year's title game.
On the other side, Boston College will be looking to build off of a tight win against Harvard in last week's semifinal. Prior to that 2-1 victory, Boston College had not won a nonconference game since Nov. 14, 2016. It has been a rough couple of years for the Eagles, but a Beanpot title amid the consistency struggles would probably go a long way for building up some confidence.
Among the top prospects in action for the Eagles, New York Islanders first-rounder Oliver Wahlstrom had an assist in last week's Beanpot game and tends to shine on the bigger stage. He also is picking things up after a slow start with five points over his past four games. The Eagles will lean heavily on leading goal scorer David Cotton (Carolina Hurricanes) and highly skilled playmaker Logan Hutsko (Florida Panthers). Their most important player, however, has been their most consistent all season: Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Joe Woll hasn't enjoyed the talent in front of him that previous standout BC goaltenders have had, but he just keeps battling and often gives the Eagles a chance with his play in net.
The final will be at 7:30 p.m. ET Monday on NESN.
Prospect notes
K'Andre Miller, D, Wisconsin
I was in Madison this weekend more to get a glimpse of Ohio State, which I hadn't seen live yet, and to check in on this New York Rangers first-rounder. The freshman defenseman is probably Wisconsin's most important player this season, and he has been their leading scorer from the back end with 22 points over 26 games. Unfortunately, Miller appeared to be seriously injured after taking a puck coast-to-coast, losing his footing and crashing hard into the end boards. He was not putting any weight on his left leg and needed a lot of help just to get to the dressing room. This has been such a year of growth for Miller, who went 22nd overall last June.
Emil Bemstrom, C/W, Djugardens
Selected 117th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2017, Bemstrom has taken dramatic steps forward this year. He has played his way into a more substantial role for Djugardens in the SHL, was the top forward for Sweden at the World Junior Championship and made the most of his recent call up to the men's senior national team. Bemstrom also scored three goals and had an assist to tie for the tournament scoring lead at a four-nations tournament called the Beijer Hockey Games, making him the tournament's top forward. In 34 regular-season games with Djugardens, he has 18 goals and 28 total points, which makes him the top U20 scorer in the SHL by a fairly wide margin and a top-10 scorer in the league overall.
Arthur Kaliyev, LW, Hamilton
A first-round candidate for this June's draft, Kaliyev continued his incredible draft season in the Ontario Hockey League with an eight-point weekend for the Hamilton Bulldogs. In three games, Kaliyev had four goals and four assists, including a five-point night against the Kitchener Rangers. The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder is now sixth in OHL scoring with 83 points, including 42 goals over just 53 games. Kaliyev has a shot to become just the fifth U18 player to hit the 50-goal mark in the OHL over the past 20 seasons.
NCAA weekend rundown
No. 1 St. Cloud State looked a little human on home ice for the first time this year, going to overtime twice against Colorado College and finishing 1-0-1 on the weekend. The Huskies had been perfect at home before Friday night's tie, and they now are 13-0-1 at Herb Brooks National Hockey Center. Meanwhile, No. 2 UMass earned a big win over Boston University in front of a sold-out crowd in Amherst -- as the Minutemen continue to captivate the campus -- but then fell 2-0 on the road the following night to surging UMass-Lowell. Over in the Big Ten, Penn State absolutely rolled over Minnesota in a home sweep, outscoring the opposition 13-4, showing that the Nittany Lions are very much back on track after a midseason lull.
Quick hitters
The Russian U18 squad won the 2019 Five Nations tournament held in Sochi, Russia, last week. It closed out the tournament with an 8-4 win over the U.S., made more impressive by the fact that top Russian draft-eligible Vasili Podkolzin did not play.
Junior defenseman Adam Fox (Carolina Hurricanes) continued his ridiculously productive season with four assists in a win for Harvard over Union on Friday night. Fox currently leads all defensemen with 31 points and is third in the nation with 1.41 points per game.
Owen Tippett (Florida Panthers) busted out of an eight-game goalless drought with two against the London Knights on Saturday. Tippett's goal scoring has tailed off since he joined the Saginaw Spirit at the trade deadline, but perhaps Saturday's performance was the dam breaking open, as he also was credited with nine shots on goal.
It appears Carter Hart will be graduating from prospect status quite a bit sooner than I expected. The 20-year-old goalie has been playing exceptionally well for the Philadelphia Flyers. And he said he'll be moving in with Jakub Voracek, as he is expected to stick with the big club for the rest of the season, per Adam Kimelman of NHL.com.
Drake Batherson continues to exceed expectations in his first professional season as the top scoring rookie in the American Hockey League. Batherson extended his point streak Sunday to nine games, during which he has had a stunning 19 points.
Prospect game of the week
No. 2 UMass at Boston College
Saturday, 7 p.m. ET
WatchESPN
If you have not yet had the chance to see UMass sophomore defenseman Cale Makar, this is a game you won't want to miss. Makar, who was selected fourth overall by the Colorado Avalanche in 2017, might be the favorite to take home the Hobey Baker Memorial Award as the top player in men's college hockey. He is second on the team with 31 points in 27 games, and his speed and dynamic passing abilities are incredible. Other prospects of note in this game include San Jose Sharks draft picks Mario Ferraro and John Leonard, Wahlstrom, Hutsko and Woll.