U.S. Collegiate Selects - Players to Watch

THERE ARE THE OBVIOUS STARS, BUT WHO ARE THE OTHER STANDOUTS FROM THE SPENGLER CUP DEBUT SQUAD?

Written by James Blennau

This year’s Spengler Cup features college players for the first time since 1982. It’s a much different team than that year’s North Dakota squad, featuring Minnesota Duluth Head Coach Scott Sandelin at defense. Nor is it exactly 1981’s Minnesota, with NHL journeyman Nick Bjugstad’s uncle, Scott, in the forward corps.

This year’s team features the best players from across the NCAA, and with some teams that didn’t even exist the last time the NCAA went to Davos, Switzerland, for the tournament. While stars like Michigan’s TJ Hughes and North Dakota’s Jake Livanavage headline the roster, other contributors from across the league are ready to show their true colors on the international stage.

Let me be clear, these players are no strangers to the spotlight. However, these are the ones who never made a name for themselves as a blue-chip prospect, but can highlight strong skills against professional competition this tournament.

QUINN FINLEY - WISCONSIN JUNIOR WINGER

Finley, a third-round New York Islanders draftee in 2022, has proved the scouts right in their selection across his three seasons at Wisconsin. His balanced offensive production led him to a 20-goal and 20-assist season last year in just 37 games. As the Badgers struggled at the beginning of the season to find their identity, Finley was a bright spot in the top six. His electric wrist shot made him one of the most valuable players on the power play in the Big Ten last season. While he’s not as flashy a pick as Hughes or the Minnesota Duluth breakout brother, Zam Plante, he can slot in anywhere Head Coach Guy Gadowsky needs in this lineup. Look out when the Selects go on the man-advantage, because you won’t want to see this guy badgering you in the bumper.

MATT DIMARSICO - PENN STATE JUNIOR WINGER

He may not score on pace with linemates Charlie Cerrato and JJ Wiebusch, but boy, can DiMarsico deliver. Gadowsky and fans across college hockey saw his line’s impact on Penn State’s Frozen Four run last year, with DiMarsico scoring the overtime-winner over UConn in the Allentown Regional. His points don’t show up on the scoresheet, but on the ice, he frustrates opposing players with his high hockey IQ, making up for his lack of traditional skill compared to others on the roster. He doesn’t shoot often, given his linemates, and is patient to find the right opportunity to strike, like his game-winner in the Nittany Lions’ season-opener at Arizona State. DiMarsico will continue his quiet excellence, likely paired with Cerrato and Wiebusch for chemistry, and continue to make his presence known on both ends of the ice as he makes the most of whatever minutes he earns.

ERIC POHLKAMP - DENVER JUNIOR DEFENSEMAN

Eric Pohlkamp scores goals. There’s no way around it. He leads the team in NCAA goals so far this season with 12 in 19 games, also leading all defensemen nationally. When Zeev Buium signed with the Minnesota Wild last offseason, fans wondered who could fill his hole, and Pohlkamp has delivered about as much as you could ask for. I’ll even go out and say that I’m a massive fan of his game. The Sharks’ 2025 fifth-round draftee is playing lights-out on the front-end, shooting more than double his rate from last season, adding eight assists, and with three of his twelve goals coming while he quarterbacks David Carle’s power play. He’s no lazy defenseman either, with 33 blocked shots this year and a season high of six in his last game at St. Cloud State. Not to mention that his +19 rating speaks for itself. You don’t have to look deep into Pohlkamp’s game to find his strengths, but his breakout season as the Pioneers’ number-one defenseman is just beginning. The Spengler Cup could be the jolt that Mike Grier and San Jose’s front office need to bring him to the Sharks’ young core at the end of this season.

ADAM GAJAN - MINNESOTA DULUTH SOPHOMORE GOALTENDER

Starting goalie will be a tough decision on this squad, with Gajan competing with Minnesota State stalwart Alex Tracy and Augustana star Josh Kotai. The only European player on this roster will have to separate himself more than his Slovakian roots and 2023 Blackhawks second-round selection. He can make his own luck this year, though, as he’s off to a serious breakout campaign, averaging 1.92 goals allowed per game with a .919 save percentage to join his 14-6-0 record. While he may benefit from serious offensive firepower to keep possession out of his zone, Gajan is as reliable as ever in net. His flexibility is incredible for his 6-foot-2 frame, as he can burst into a full split to stop a one-timer. He’s settling into his role nicely after a struggle in his freshman season in Duluth, and if it’s true that coaches ride the hot hand, the number-five-ranked Bulldogs’ number-one might have a chance to outplay some of this year’s Mike Richter Award favorites.