Following Part 1, which highlighted a group of high-impact NCAA performers trending upward late in the season, this continuation shifts the focus to another wave of prospects who have also elevated their play down the stretch. While the first group featured several headline names and offensive drivers, this group brings a broader mix of skill sets, including developing two-way players, emerging contributors, and longer-term projects beginning to solidify their trajectories.

Eric Pohlkamp, D – San Jose Sharks

Pohlkamp continues to profile as one of those under-the-radar defenders who quietly builds value through consistency, awareness, and strong two-way play. His game is not built on flash, but rather on structure and reliability, traits that tend to earn coaching trust as players move up levels. That foundation has allowed him to contribute in a variety of situations while steadily growing his offensive output, giving him a realistic path to carving out an NHL role even without a headline-grabbing skill set. His season was highlighted by winning the Hobey Baker Award as the top player in the NCAA, a testament to both his production and overall impact.

This season at the University of Denver, Pohlkamp has taken a clear step forward, emerging as a true all-situations defender with a noticeable jump in production. His impact goes well beyond the scoresheet, as his transition play and overall play-driving ability have been standout elements of his game. There is also a strong projection for peripheral contributions, with his style lending itself to blocks, shots, and physical engagement. For fantasy purposes, that combination of steady usage, secondary offense, and category coverage gives him sneaky upside, especially if his development continues on this trajectory.

Zam Plante, RW – Pittsburgh Penguins

Plante has emerged as a creative offensive presence, using his vision and puck skill to generate scoring opportunities. He thrives in possession, showing the ability to make plays through traffic and maintain control in tight areas, which has driven a noticeable increase in production, particularly since transitioning to the NCAA at the University of Minnesota Duluth. This season, his offensive output has taken a significant step forward, likely aided in part by a favorable environment that has allowed his skill set to play to its strengths.

His pNHLe has climbed to 67, though that number may slightly overstate his long-term ceiling, as his Hockey Prospecting model currently gives him a zero percent probability of becoming a star. Still, his profile has clearly risen on the back of this strong NCAA performance. His long-term projection will depend on how well his game translates against stronger, faster competition, but if his offensive instincts continue to drive results, there is a pathway for him to carve out a scoring role, particularly in structured systems that allow his creativity to flourish.

Jackson Smith, D – Columbus Blue Jackets

Smith has impressed with his combination of size and mobility, giving him the tools to impact play in multiple ways. He uses his reach effectively in the defensive zone while also showing flashes of offensive involvement, particularly in transition where his skating allows him to cover ice efficiently. As the season progressed, his confidence with the puck grew, leading to more assertive decision-making and increased engagement offensively.

His strong NCAA production, 26 points in 35 games for Penn State, drove a significant rise in his hockey prospecting, jumping from 27% to 60% this season. While lofty comparisons may surface, his development is better viewed through the lens of steady progression rather than projection to a high-end historical ceiling. Consistency will be the key factor in his development, but the foundation is strong. With continued refinement, he projects as a reliable two-way defenseman with potential top-four upside.

Justin Poirier, RW – Carolina Hurricanes

The undersized Poirier made an impressive transition from the QMJHL, where he posted 80 points in 58 games, to the NCAA with Maine, producing 29 points in 27 games. He has remained a consistent offensive threat, relying heavily on his shot and goal-scoring instincts. He has a knack for finding soft spots in coverage and capitalizing on opportunities around the net, making him a reliable finisher.

His Fantasy Hockey Life skater card adds important context to his projection, particularly for an undersized player. His compete level stands out, with strong results in loose puck recoveries and puck battles won, areas that often determine whether smaller forwards can translate their game. He also drove play at an exceptional rate and was effective in transition. Despite his size, Poirier was not shy physically, throwing a notable number of hits, which, combined with his shot volume, gives him a solid peripheral floor to complement his scoring ability. Late in the season, his offensive consistency became more pronounced, reinforcing his identity as a scorer. While his overall game may lean offense-first, that skill set carries value, and he projects as a potential middle-six winger with power-play utility.

Aiden Fink, RW – Nashville Predators

In his third NCAA season, Fink saw a slight step back from his 53 points in 40 games in 2024–25 with Penn State, but still produced an impressive 38 points in 30 games. He carried that momentum into the professional level as well, recording 10 points in six games with the Milwaukee Admirals.

Fink has been one of the more productive players down the stretch, using his speed and offensive instincts to drive play. He is effective both in transition and during sustained offensive-zone pressure, consistently creating chances through quickness and anticipation. His pNHLe via the NHL Rank King application remains strong, holding steady just over 70 points, with a notable comparable in T.J. Oshie. His late-season play has reinforced the idea that his underlying tools can translate, and if he continues to build on this momentum, he projects as a legitimate offensive contributor at higher levels, particularly in pace-driven systems.

Keaton Verhoeff, D – Draft Eligible

Verhoeff is one of the youngest players eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft, not turning 18 until just before the draft on June 19, which makes his season at North Dakota even more impressive. He recorded 20 points in 36 games for the Fighting Hawks while logging the third-most ice time among skaters, a strong indicator of the trust he earned in all situations. He also represented Canada at both the U18 and U20 World Championships, a rare accomplishment for a player his age.

He has established himself as a defensively reliable presence, using strong positioning and awareness to limit opposing chances. He plays a structured, efficient game and rarely forces plays, instead prioritizing control and consistency. While his offensive output is still developing, his hockey prospecting profile is particularly encouraging, giving him a 42% chance of becoming a star, one of the highest marks among defensemen in this draft class. With continued growth, he projects as a dependable two-way defenseman with a relatively high floor and more upside than initially meets the eye.

Dean Letourneau, C – Boston Bruins

Letourneau, the 25th overall pick in 2024, immediately stands out with his 6-7, 230-pound frame, but his development path has been just as notable as his size. Drafted out of Canadian prep school with minimal exposure to high-end competition, he made the jump directly to Boston College after initially being slated for the USHL. His freshman season reflected that steep transition, as he managed just three assists in 36 games while adjusting to the pace and structure of the NCAA. This past season, however, marked a significant breakthrough. With more opportunity following departures like Ryan Leonard and Gabe Perreault, Letourneau stepped into a larger role and responded with 39 points in 36 games, emerging as a key driver on a less top-heavy roster.

His progression is backed by strong underlying metrics, as his Fantasy Hockey Life skater card highlights excellent play-driving ability, a highly effective transition game, and consistent physical engagement. He generated a high volume of shots and hits, dominated in the faceoff circle, and was particularly difficult to contain along the boards, using his size to protect possession and extend plays. Letourneau still has areas to refine, particularly in puck skill and decision-making, but the trajectory is clearly trending upward. If that development continues, there is a legitimate pathway for him to grow into a top-six center with strong multicategory value, making him an increasingly compelling long-term asset.

Final Thoughts

This group of NCAA standouts is defined by progression and emerging clarity in their projections, whether through increased responsibility, improved underlying metrics, or stronger translation of their tools against higher competition. While they may lack the headline appeal of top-tier prospects, many have taken meaningful steps forward late in the season, solidifying their trajectories and raising their long-term outlooks. For dynasty managers, this is a critical window to identify which of these players are turning the corner, as this tier often produces valuable contributors before their roles and market perception fully catch up.

Thanks for reading! See you next week. For more fantasy hockey analysis, or if there's a prospect, topic, or theme you'd like me to cover, follow and message me on X: https://x.com/VictorNuno12