While it might feel like we just wrapped up this countdown (because it’s true) it seems like a good time to revisit the Top 25 Under 25 just to see how the kids are doing. With the trade deadlines in the rearview mirror for the Canadian Hockey League, and the college hockey teams starting to wind down their regular seasons it’s a good time to see how things are shaping up for the prospects.
Today, we’ll tackle the bottom half of the list (which contains a couple of players that might be top 10 prospects the next time we do this).
25 Tristan Allard – Syracuse Crunch
49 games, 5 goals, 13 assists
The 23-year-old is building on his career as his 15 points is just three shy of his career-high in the AHL. He’s been a solid forward for the Crunch this season, filling in behind the top line to provide some depth scoring.
24 Milo Roelens – Orlando Solar Bears
33 games, 11 goals, 7 assists
The depth of forwards in Syracuse pushed Roelens down to the ECHL for most of the season. He’s had a pretty good year as he’s fifth on the team in goals and has earned a couple of call-ups to the Crunch, picking up 3 assists in 12 games in Syracuse.
23 Hugo Alnefelt – HFIK – Liiga
9-10-4, 3.00 GAA, .870 SV%
He’s in his second year of a three-year deal with HV71, but they’ve had him on loan to HFIK all season. Does the 24-year-old still have a path to the NHL? It could happen, but it probably won’t be with the Lightning.
22 Ethan Hay – Miami University (Ohio) – NCAA
31 games, 3 goals, 11 assists
The center opted to continue his development in college after finishing up his junior career with the Kingston Frontenacs last season. It’ll be a rocky road to the pros for the 6’1″, 194 lbs. forward, but he’s still just 21 and could turn pro at any point if he feels ready.
21 Jack Harvey – Boston University – NCAA
31 games, 10 goals, 7 assists
While the assist totals are down this year, Harvey is on his way to setting a career-best in goals in his third season with BU. After spending part of last season skating on the top line with Macklin Celebrini, Harvey has been seeing time with the Islanders prospects Cole Eiserman and Kamil Bednarik on the Terriers’ third line. There is a chance he could turn pro after the college season ends this season.
20 Benjamin Rautlianen – Tappara Liiga
50 games, 18 goals, 46 assists
Rautlianen is probably the breakout name on the list. As we noted in our profile, the 20-year-old forward has playmaking skills far beyond his age. Still, we didn’t expect he’d be leading the Liiga in scoring. As of right now, he’s under contract with Tappara through the 2026-27 season so he’ll likely have at least one more year overseas before making the jump.
19 Gabriel Szturc – Syracuse Crunch – AHL
47 games, 4 goals, 7 assists
The point total might not be there, but Szturc is playing a solid game in Syracuse as a middle-six forward. He’s moved up and down the line-up on a team that has dealt with a lot of player movement. The 22-year-old has been solid defensively and tough on the forecheck, both qualities that the Lightning look for in their forwards.
18 Joona Saarlainen – KalPa – Liiga
43 games, 6 goals, 12 assists
While he might not be the top Finn in the Lightning’s system any longer, the 19-year-old is still having a strong season, having spent the entire season in the top division. He also had a solid run at the World Juniors, putting up 6 points (4 goals, 2 assists) for Finland. There is still some seasoning to do, but he does have intriguing puck skills that should earn him a look in the AHL.
17 Jan Golcic – Blainville-Boisbriand Armada – QMJHL
Golcic stood out at the Lightning’s prospect tournament this summer. Granted at 6’5″, 201 lbs as a 19-year-old, he’s likely to stand out wherever he goes, but fans were treated to a glimpse of the physical style of play he brings to the ice. He’s also added offense to his game this season with 35 points (3 goals, 32 assists) between Gatineau and Blainville-Boisbriand. He’ll likely get a long hard look at training camp for the Crunch next season.
16 Jayson Shaugabay – University of Minnesota – Duluth – NCAA
32 games, 10 goals, 29 assists
The former Mr. Hockey from Minnesota is having a breakout season for the Bulldogs as he’s already set a career high in points and assists. The 39 points has him in the top 20 in scoring in the NCAA and may garner some preliminary Hobey Baker Award consideration. He’s developing into a solid playmaker, especially along the half-boards. Imagine how much better he’ll get with some tips from Nikita Kucherov.
15 Harrison Meneghin – Orlando Solar Bears – ECHL
13 games, 4-8-0, 3.29 GAA, .888 SV%
There have been some growing pains in Meneghin’s first professional season. After such a dominating finish to his CHL career, it’s been an up-and-down year for the goaltender. Literally, as he’s been recalled by the Syracuse Crunch a couple of times, but has yet to play in the AHL. He was pulled in his last start on February 6 after surrendering 4 goals on 16 shots, but stopped 34 of 36 shots against Savannah in the appearance before that.
14 Connor Kurth – Orlando Solar Bears – ECHL
51 games, 8 goals, 5 assist
Another Lightning prospect that has played the bulk of his season in the ECHL, Kurth has been solid with 8 goals in 51 games. With the logjam of forwards in Syracuse, it could be tough for him to break through this season, but a strong finish to the season with the Solar Bears could set him up for a spot next season.
