Unsigned NHL defenseman Cale Makar has become a proverbial rock star in NCAA hockey. The Avalanche draftee (first round, No. 4 overall in 2017) led the University of Massachusetts to the Hockey East regular-season title, a pending berth to the NCAA Tournament and is a big name in the Hobey Baker Award race as national player of the year.
Last week Makar, a 20-year old sophomore, was named the No. 1 NHL prospect among drafted players by ESPN. He previously was 20th. Makar, whose 42 points in 34 games is a record for a UMass defenseman, went from a sure-fire NHL player to a guy we should expect to compete for the Calder Trophy next season.