Nick Moldenhauer and Matt Lahey lead a trio of Maple Leafs prospects into the NCAA tournament
Photo credit: Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Nick Moldenhauer, Matthew Lahey and Hudson Malinoski are all in the NCAA Frozen Four this week with Michigan as the top seed; Providence is the wildcard - Toronto fans have more reasons than most to watch.
The Leafs prospect pool will be well represented at the Frozen Four as three prospects will be in battle for college hockey's biggest national title.
Headlined by the top ranked Michigan Wolverines, Leafs prospect forward Nick Moldenhauer is one of the leading pieces for Michigan headed into the tournament.
Rivals Michigan State with Leafs prospect Matthew Lahey will face a tough early challenge against UConn, while Hudson Malinoski and Providence take on Quinnipiac.
Why Nick Moldenhauer and Matt Lahey are the favorites to meet in the Frozen Four
There is a very real chance of an all-Michigan meet up in the NCAA finals, as Michigan and Michigan St. have been two of the top teams in the country.
Michigan, ranked as the top team in the tournament with a 29-7-1 record, suffered an injury scare as Canadiens prospect Michael Hage went down with an injury in the second period of the Big Ten finals against Ohio State.
Hage returned for the third period. Wolverines head coach Brandon Naurato said that the 19-year-old would be able to go for the tournament.
Moldenhauer, a sophomore, has three goals and 10 points in 29 games for Michigan this season. A third round pick of Toronto in 2022, the 21-year-old scored an empty net goal against Ohio State in their 7-3 win.
Lahey, a freshman at Michigan State, has appeared in just 17 games for the Spartans this season, with five assists, but the 6'6 defenseman could be a consistent player in this heavily physical tournament.
The Spartans, one of the top defensive teams in the country, will be one of the many big men on their blue line, but as well as size up front with Porter Martone, Cayden Lindstrom, & Charlie Stramel.
Red Wings prospect Trey Augustine has been the key for Michigan State this season, holding a 23-8-1 record with a 2.09 GAA and a .929 SV%.
Both Moldenhauer and Lahey have been secondary pieces for their respective teams, but both have the potential to make a greater impact on the big stage.
The "X-Factor" Hudson Malinoski: why Providence is the ultimate bracket spoiler
It would not be a total surprise to see Hudson Malinoski and the Providence Friars be a surprise successful underdog in this tournament.
Having lost top scorer Logan Will and top prospect Trevor Connelly, Providence has still managed to be one of the more impressive teams in college hockey this season.
Led by Ducks first rounder Roger McQueen and Blackhawks third rounder John Mustard, Providence has been the top team in the Hockey East this season.
Malinoski, a junior, hasn't put up last season's numbers, going from 23 points to 15, but a second consecutive 11 goal season, Malinoski is looking a lot more confident in his overall game, and scoring is never a problem for the 21-year-old forward.
The real wildcard for Providence is their goaltending. With one of the best duos in John Parsons and Philip Svedeback, the two splitting games is possible, and adds a dangerous bit of potential double trouble.
Malinoski isn't the only Providence player with Leafs ties. Tanner Adams, a fellow junior, was at Toronto's development camp this past preseason.
Quinnipiac will be a tough opponent, led by one of, if not the best player in college hockey in Flames prospect Ethan Wyttenbach. It will be necessary for Malinoski and the Friars offense to outscore the highly crafty Bobcats.
The Frozen Four is must-watch for Maple Leafs fans this week. Three prospects, two Michigan schools, and one heck of a tournament ahead - Toronto's future could be in the spotlight before we even have to worry about the 2026 NHL Draft.
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| POLL | ||
MARS 25|881 ANSWERS Nick Moldenhauer and Matt Lahey lead a trio of Maple Leafs prospects into the NCAA tournament Which Leafs prospect will have the most impactful NCAA tournament? | ||
| Nick Moldenhauer | 366 | 41.5 % |
| Hudson Malinoski | 228 | 25.9 % |
| Matthew Lahey | 287 | 32.6 % |
| List of polls | ||