By: Chris Nosek

Every hockey season people’s interest in the NCAA always starts to pick up massively as the tournament starts to approach. So lets have a look at the top netminders you should be watching all season.

5. Michael Hrabal – University of Massachusetts (UMASS)

Last season, the UMass Minutemen locked up a number 3 seed heading into the NCAA tournament. Since being drafted by the (now) Utah Mammouth,

The 20-year-old Czech netminder has had two very good seasons since being drafted by the Arizona Coyotes (not Utah Mammouth), and was the starting goaltender for the U20 Team Czechia team this past season. He went 19-12-6 for UMass last season and backstopped UMass to a 3 seed in Hockey East heading into the NCAA tournament.

During the tournament, UMass barely edged out a number 2 seeded Minnesota in the first round. Hrabal played very well in this matchup despite allowing 4 goals. Hrabal came up big when it mattered as he stopped 20 of 22 shots while the game was close, which allowed UMass the chance for the comeback victory. He then went on to save 26 of 28 shots faced in the second round matchup against Western Michigan. Hrabal is returning to UMass for his junior year season and seeing how he continues to build on his development will be a fun and interesting thing to watch.

4. Albin Boija – University of Maine

Almost every hockey fan has heard the name Albin Boija at this point. The 22-year-old Swede took the NCAA by storm last season. He boasted a .928 save percentage with a 1.82 goals against average and a record of 23-8-6 for the University of Maine Black Bears. Boija backed UMaine to a 1 seed in the tournament which set then up for a first round matchup against Penn State. UMaine took three of their five penalties in the 1st period which resulted in two powerplay goals allowed. The lack of support in front of him caused UMaine to be a first round exit, however Boija still played extremely well saving 25 of the 29 shots he faced.

Many expected Boija to receive a lot of interest from NHL organizations, however despite whatever interest he received, he decided to return to UMaine for another season. UMaine has become a powerhouse in Hockey East and he solidify their crease for another year looking to improve upon his breakout season. Over the summer he attended development camp with the Boston Bruins, who are likely one of a number of organizations who will be watching him closely this season. It will be fun watching to see how he handles the spotlight now that it is soley on him. For the most part, his game in pro-ready on the ice – this season will be watching him grow into that profession level player and person.

3. Austin Elliott – University of Massachusetts (Lowell)

Not many in the United States will be famliar with the 21-year-old from Strathmore, Alberta. He spent two season with the Saskatoon Blades in the WHL and played quite well for them. However, this past season, Saskatoon was forced to put him on waivers because the the CHL has rules about the number of players over the age of 20 a team is able to have. No other team in the WHL put in a claim for Elliott which allowed teams in the OHL and QMJHL to have a chance at claiming him (waiver priority is done based on standings, just like the NHL). The Barrie Colts were the first team on the wire to put a claim on Elliott and thus received the player.

Elliott never played the Barrie Colts as they quickly traded him to the London Knights in exchange for two draft picks. Elliott went on to backstop the London Knights to a Memorial Cup Championship. His overall record on the season (including the playoffs) was a 48-2-0. He posted a 2.46 goals against average and a .906 save percentage in the playoffs and his regular season numbers topped those coming in at 2.10 and .924 respectively over 33 games. Unfortunately for NHL teams, Elliott is no longer draft eligible so they’ll have to compete with all other teams interested in his services. He attended development camp for the Dallas Stars this summer, but his poise, control, and pure dominance certainly caught the eye of many across the NHL. This season, Elliott will be entering his for NCAA looking to take control of the crease for the UMass River Hawks. He is competing with four other first year netminders and should certainly be considered the favorite for the job. Each game he starts will be must watch because he will consistently face the best college hockey has to offer while playing in Hockey East.

2. Mikhail Yegorov – Boston University

The first time most people heard of Mikhail Yegorov was when he inadvertently skated out before the officials in his debut game against Boston College. This misstep cause the BU Terriers to start the game on the penalty kill during which Yegorov yielded a goal which turned out to be the game winner. He and 2025 Mike Richter Award winner Jacob Fowler went toe-to-toe with each other. Despite the rocky start and being thrust into action mid-season, Yegorov posted an incredible .927 save percentage to go with his 2.15 goals against average over 18 starts.

Yegorov continued to show why the New Jersey Devils selected him 49th overall back in the 2024 entry draft and the tournament begin. He gave up 11 goals total while facing 135 shots across BU’s four games against Ohio State, Cornell, Penn State, and Western Michigan. Yegorov was under seige for most of the tournament as BU’s opposition average 56.5 shot attempts per game with an average of 33.75 getting through on goal. The naitve of St. Petersburg Russia is only 19 years old and will be entering his second NCAA with a lot less to deal with off ice – he doesn’t have to worry about being cleared by the NCAA Eligibility Center or a trip to the Bahamas to speed up with student Visa. Everything about him mentally indicates another season for the young Russian to thrive here in the US, which should be incredible to watch.

1. Trey Augustine – Michigan State University

The NCAA tournament is a breeding ground for first-round upsets. Most fans were surprised to see the Michigan State Spartans fall victim as a one seed in their first-round matchup against Cornell. It was a rough ending to a great season for the 2023 draft pick of the Detroit Red Wings. Over the season he only lost 7 games of the 30 games he started. He posted a 2.08 goals against average and a .924 save percentage and many believe he has passed Sebastian Cossa as the future goaltender of the Detroit Red Wings.

Instead of turning pro and sharing the crease with Cossa in Grand Rapids, Augustine decided to return to Michigan State to try to help them take home a National Championship. The Spartans will lean on him heavily this season as their other two goaltenders are in their first year with the school and as an NHL hopefully he should be able to handle the workload. He will also have a lot more confidence after helping back the U20 USA team to a gold metal this summer. Watching a goaltender with his level of talent, play behind the talented team in front of him, is already fun enough. Add to it, the drive he has to win a National Championship while continuing to potentially work his way higher in the Detroit organization, we could watch him have a very special season.