Not To Miss: NCAA Names that Should be on Everyone’s Draft Boards

It’s no secret the depth in this year’s draft class is outstanding, I mean, just look at the goaltending lineup. At the NCAA level especially, there’s a lot of high-end talent waiting to make the jump to the professional stage, including national team members, and collegiate standouts. But what about the names that might be further down toward the bottom of the draft boards? 

Here, we’re making a case for a player per position that might not be high enough on some general managers list although they definitely should be. From a conference-top scorer, to some incredible defenders, and even a national goaltender of the year candidate, this list has it all. While we can’t cover every single name out of the NCAA, here are just a few to watch out for on draft night, and they’ve each got their own reason why. 

Ida Kuoppala, LW – Maine (Hockey East)

The last five years at Maine have been interesting to say the least for Kuoppala. As a freshman in 2019-20, the forward put up 33 points in 35 games. She was named to the All-USCHO rookie team, and received national attention for her performance. Over the years (outside of a rough fourth season in 2022-23), Kuoppala has consistently been a top scorer for the Black Bears, and operated at a 0.8 point per game pace overall. In her final season, she secured the Hockey East scoring titles, notching 21 goals and 39 points. 

It’s not just the offensive side of her game that stands out, however. During her time at Maine she played on both special teams units, including being a solid penalty killer. She finished this past season with the highest +/- rating of the entire team (+16) and had the highest shots blocked total of any forward on Maine’s roster (22). 

Kuoppala is an all around player that will slot in well in a bottom-six role to start, before eventually moving up the lineup. Her upside on both sides of the ice should attract attention from general managers throughout the league, and it’ll be interesting to see where she falls in those later rounds of the draft. 

Sadie Peart, C – Quinnipiac (ECAC)

Of all centers in the ECAC, Peart had the highest number of wins in the faceoff dot with 503 this season. While her .550 win percentage wasn’t the highest mark in the conference, the sheer amount of faceoffs she took compared to everyone else in front of her (outside of Yale’s Elle Hartje) makes that number just a tad more impressive. Not to mention that over her five years in Hamden, the forward has only gotten better at the dot – something that would continue with the right development in the PWHL. 

Outside of her prowess at faceoffs, Peart is also an incredibly productive forward, not to mention a great leader as one of QU’s captains the last two seasons. Over 169 games in five years, Peart put up 124 points with 60 of those being goals, putting her in the top-10 for both statistics all time at the university. While her production dipped in her sophomore year, Peart mainly hovered between 25-30 points per season throughout her NCAA career. 

Combine the production with her capabilities at the faceoff dot, and all around she’s a solid addition to any team. Especially if they’re looking for a reliable forward who’s not afraid to get in front of the puck – over the last two years Peart has led all forwards in blocked shots at QU with a combined 65 between 2022 and 2024. She’s the full package, and GM’s should take note of that. 

Darcie Lappan, RW – Clarkson (ECAC) 

Lappan is a bit higher on some draft lists than the others ranked here, yet there is a way she ends up falling out of the seven rounds in the draft – although she definitely should not. The forward played three seasons at Colgate before transferring to Clarkson for the last two years of NCAA eligibility. Since making the move, Lappan doubled her career point total in a single season, and was nearly a point-per-game player during her two campaigns as a Golden Knight. 

What stands out is her ability to produce. While she doesn’t play the highest physical game, her outstanding work on the puck puts her ahead of some of the others in the draft. On a high-offensive team like Clarkson, Lappan finished sixth in points this season, and was one of the most productive forwards. In a league where production wasn’t at its full potential this year, a player like Lappan is a huge addition for those looking to increase their success offensively.

Not to mention she has experience on special team units as well. Over two seasons she had six goals on the power play, not to mention she added a short handed tally this past year as well. For teams that have been struggling on the power play and penalty kill (which, let’s be real, has been all of them), Lappan could be a great addition to have when it comes down to it. 

Camryn Wong, LD – UConn (Hockey East)

One of the main reasons why UConn has been so successful over the last few years – and has slowly climbed their way to the Hockey East title – is because of Wong and the defense that she’s been a leader for. 

While she’s not as flashy on offense as some other defenders, Wong makes up for that in her defensive prowess and her ability to play on both sides of the ice. And that’s not to say she doesn’t have offensive upside. Throughout her five seasons in Connecticut, she played substantial time on the Husky power play, especially after returning from her season away playing at the Olympics. 

Because yeah, she has national team experience too, with Team China in 2021-22. That year, Wong split her time playing professionally in the ZhHL with the KRS Vanke Rays and with Team China internationally before returning to UConn for two more seasons where she continued to develop. 

Overall, Wong is a solid defender who would be perfect for a team looking to round out their core with a stay-at-home style that I believe she adds. While that’s not her entire game per se, it’s definitely a part of it, and it’s something a few teams across the league could benefit from heading into next season. 

Chayla Edwards, RD – Wisconsin (WCHA)

Similarly to Wong, Edwards is not as flashy offensively, however their offensive upside is a bit higher with her experience playing on the high-octane Wisconsin team.

Over five seasons, Edwards put up 55 points – mainly from assists – and helped the Badgers to two national titles and three Frozen Four appearances. However, where her game really steps up is on the opposing side of the puck. This past season they blocked 56 shots, leading the team in the statistic. Over 174 appearances, Edwards blocked over 200 shots, a key part of Wisconsin’s game plan. That type of willingness and ability can be crucial on a shut-down pair, making Edwards a prime pick up.

Edwards is durable, and she clearly knows how to move the puck. With some teams looking for more stay-at-home defenders, Edwards provides that and more with her play making ability – just look at how she’s able to thread the puck past the defender advancing toward her to connect with sister Laila on the linked goal below. She’s definitely an all-around great pickup, and shouldn’t be left off any draft boards heading into Monday night.  

Kayle Osborne, G – Colgate (ECAC)

It’s bizarre saying an NCAA Goaltender of the Year semifinalist is an “off the board” pick but again, look at this year’s draft class. Osborne is high up there on the list of goaltenders vying for spots. However, there’s just so few places in the crease to go around that there’s a high chance she’s not being looked at as intensely as she should be. 

Over her four years at Colgate, the netminder has been rock-solid consistent. Even when her play time went up this year by nearly 400 minutes, if anything Osborne got better. She finished with a .941 save percentage, which was up from the .926 the year prior, in 11 fewer appearances. Not too shabby.

In a conference full of outstanding goaltending, Osborne has carved a name for herself thanks in part to her willingness to come out of her crease to play the puck. Plus the adept way she is able to do so once she ventures from her net. Behind a solid blue line, giving her a chance to shine with her puck moving skills would make her a great addition to any team looking for a goalie – especially if they’re willing to take the time to develop her into an even better player than she already is.

Additionally, just like Wong, Osborne adds some national team experience to the mix, as she joined the Canadian team for the Rivalry Series this past December. She has a lot of upside, and that should not go unnoticed.

The 2024 PWHL Draft will take place on Monday, June 10th live from the Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St. Paul Minnesota. 42 players will have the opportunity to be selected in the seven-round draft, starting at 7 PM EST.