The start of the 2024-25 season has seen a number of prospects shine of their respective leagues. From first objectives within the NHL and NCAA to dominant performances from a few 2025 Draft eligibles, the primary Prospects Information and Rumors column has a number of enjoyable issues to speak about. Let’s dive in!
Seamus Casey Scores First NHL Aim in Spotlight-Reel Vogue
The NHL’s common season kicked off in Prague, Czechia on Friday between the New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres for the primary recreation of the World Collection. With accidents to Brett Pesce and Luke Hughes, the Devils’ blue line had some spots open and Casey took benefit of the chance and gained a type of spots for opening evening. He performed 13:14 in his debut with zeroes throughout his stat line, because the Devils beat the Sabres 4-1.
Associated: Devils’ Seamus Casey Makes His Debut on World Collection Stage
Casey’s second recreation was far more eventful. He had much less ice time, ending with 12:09, however scored his first NHL objective on the facility play when he toe-dragged previous a defender and sniped it prime nook behind Devon Levi.
The Sabres ended up taking the sport 3-1 after objectives by Paul Cotter and Timo Meier, with Casey strolling away because the Participant of the Recreation. Devils legend Patrik Elias offered him with the award, capping off an evening he gained’t quickly neglect.
McQueen & Misa Burst Out of the Beginning Blocks
Roger McQueen and Michael Misa have already boosted their draft inventory early within the season. Each prospects are eligible for the 2025 Draft and they’re making an early case to be top-10 (and even top-five) picks. McQueen already has eight objectives and 11 factors in six video games for the Brandon Wheat Kings and Misa has hit double-digits with 10 objectives and 12 factors in 5 video games for the Saginaw Spirit. Misa presently leads the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) in objectives by a large margin; 5 forward of Cooper Foster of the Ottawa 67’s. In the meantime, McQueen is main the Western Hockey League (WHL) in objectives however is just one forward of Shea Van Olm of the Spokane Chiefs.
McQueen began the season with a four-goal recreation in opposition to the Moose Jaw Warriors and is presently on a six-game level streak. He has failed to attain in just one recreation – the Wheat Kings’ 5-1 win over the Regina Pats the place he put up two assists – and simply prolonged his objective streak to 4 video games after one other tally in a 4-3 shootout loss to the Swift Present Broncos on Saturday (Oct. 5).
Misa, alternatively, has scored in each recreation he’s performed up to now. The truth is, the Sarnia Sting are the one staff to stop him from scoring multiple objective. He has 4 multi-goal video games, together with a hat trick within the Spirit’s 6-4 win over the Soo Greyhounds on Sept. 27, and is coming off a three-point efficiency on Saturday the place he put up two objectives and an help in his staff’s 7-3 conquer the Erie Otters. Because of Misa’s dominance, the 2024 Memorial Cup champs are 4-0-1 to start out the season.
As of this writing, the most recent draft rankings have McQueen going between fifth and tenth (THW’s personal Peter Baracchini has him tenth in his preseason rankings), whereas Misa is ranked between third and seventh.
Eiserman, Hage & Hutson Begin Their NCAA Careers Off With a Bang
The NCAA kicked off their season on Friday with six matchups. Montreal Canadiens prime prospect Michael Hage made his debut with the Michigan Wolverines because the vaunted faculty took on the Minnesota State Mavericks. They fell 5-2, however Hage grabbed his first two factors as a freshman with a few assists. The subsequent day, the 2 met once more, however this time it was the Wolverines strolling with a 4-1 victory. Hage potted his first objective within the NCAA and now has 4 factors in his first two video games.
Cole Eiserman, the New York Islanders’ twentieth total choose in 2024, additionally made his debut on the weekend. He suited up for Boston College and blasted residence his first on the school stage on the facility play in opposition to Faculty of the Holy Cross. His shot was in fact on full show as he one-timed a move from Ryan Greene from the fitting faceoff circle. I’ve a sense we will likely be seeing a number of that very same play this season from him.
However it wasn’t all enjoyable and video games for Eiserman in his freshman debut. Later within the second interval, he was assessed a recreation misconduct for a success to the top and was tossed from the sport. He completed with a objective and 17 penalty minutes after a combating main and a 10-minute recreation misconduct to go together with his two-minute roughing minor from the primary interval.
Along with Eiserman, Cole Hutson additionally scored his first within the NCAA after being chosen forty third total by the Washington Capitals on this 12 months’s draft. It was a pleasant objective, too, as he burst previous defenseman Mack Oliphant and wristed it five-hole on Thomas Gale. His older brother Quinn additionally had an evening to recollect, notching three assists.
That’s a wrap on the primary version of the Prospects Information and Rumors. Keep tuned to The Hockey Writers all season lengthy as we deliver you extra thrilling performances from all the highest prospects – drafted and draft-eligible – by this column and the opposite nice writers on the location.
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