Fansided

Canadiens Prospects Set To Face-Off in NCAA Tournament

By Ryan Praught |
BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 13: Sean Farrell #21 of the Harvard Crimson skates against the Northeastern Huskies during NCAA hockey in the championship game of the annual Beanpot Hockey Tournament at TD Garden on February 13, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. The game officially ended in a 2-2 tie with the Huskies winning the shootout 1-0 to capture the title. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 13: Sean Farrell #21 of the Harvard Crimson skates against the Northeastern Huskies during NCAA hockey in the championship game of the annual Beanpot Hockey Tournament at TD Garden on February 13, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. The game officially ended in a 2-2 tie with the Huskies winning the shootout 1-0 to capture the title. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images)

The Montreal Canadiens will have five prospects competing this year in the NCAA’s Frozen Four tournament. The Frozen Four is like Hockey’s March Madness, with 16 teams vying for the Championship. Canadiens prospect Brett Stapley and the University of Denver won it last year. This year, the Frozen Four will conclude in Tampa Bay, but teams will need to make it out of the regional rounds to get there. The regional rounds are set to begin this Thursday, with the winner of each region making it to Tampa. 

There is plenty to watch for Canadiens fans, as they have five prospects spread across four teams in the tournament. Lane Hutson and Luke Tuch will look to lead Boston University to their first Championship since 2009, while Rhett Pitlick (brother of Rem) will try and help Minnesota win their first title since 2003. The Golden Gophers are the #1 seed in the tournament.

Meanwhile, Habs goalie prospect Jakub Dobes and the Ohio State Buckeyes will play Sean Farrell and the Harvard Crimson in the first round of the regionals. Dobes has had yet another great season in goal for the Buckeyes, posting a .918 sv% and a 2.33 GAA. The Czech goalie looks to have a bright future ahead of him, and the Canadiens could definitely use some organizational depth at the position.

CLEVELAND, OH FEBRUARY 18: Jakub Dobes #44 of the Ohio State Buckeyes makes the save with pressure from Dylan Duke #25 of the Michigan Wolverines during the 3rd period of the Faceoff on the Lake NCAA ice hockey game at FirstEnergy Stadium on February 18, 2023 in Cleveland, OH. Ohio State won the game with a final score of 4-2. (Photo by Jaime Crawford/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH FEBRUARY 18: Jakub Dobes #44 of the Ohio State Buckeyes makes the save with pressure from Dylan Duke #25 of the Michigan Wolverines during the 3rd period of the Faceoff on the Lake NCAA ice hockey game at FirstEnergy Stadium on February 18, 2023 in Cleveland, OH. Ohio State won the game with a final score of 4-2. (Photo by Jaime Crawford/Getty Images) /

As for Farrell, his NCAA career looks to be done whenever his season ends, as the 21-year-old forward is ready to turn pro. Farrell, who put up 52 points in 33 games (20 goals and 32 assists), was recently named the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Player of the year for helping the Crimson reach the NCAA tournament for the second consecutive year.

As Arpon Basu and Marc Antoine Godin reported earlier today, all signs indicate Farrell will sign with the Canadiens upon the conclusion of his season with Harvard. From there, the Canadiens will try to get him into as many games as possible. So there is plenty to watch for at this year’s tournament for Habs fans and plenty of prospects to get excited about in the future.

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