Rinkside Roundup: Michael Hage, Isaac Howard shine on NCAA opening weekend

NHL preseason rosters are growing thinner by the hour, with CHLers being returned to their junior teams. The 2024-25 NCAA campaign just started this past weekend. Meanwhile, the SHL is in full swing. Although different leagues are at different stages of their starts, it has all fallen into place fairly quickly this past week.

A lot of eyes will be turned towards the NCAA in particular this year, with some high-ranked draft-eligibles — James Hagens being the marquee one — and some high-quality NHL prospects making their debuts or returns. Michael Hage stood out massively for the Michigan Wolverines in his first taste of college hockey, and Isaac Howard picked up where he left off last year.

Meanwhile, a pair of drafted OHL prospects are lighting it up with their respective teams. The Seattle Kraken’s second-round pick in 2023, Carson Rehkopf, has found a wonderful landing spot in Brampton, while the Calgary Flames’ second-rounder in 2024, Jacob Battaglia, continues to rack up points with Kingston. On the WHL side, Riley Heidt returned from the Minnesota Wild’s camp after coming close to making the squad, landed in Prince George, and hit the ground running. On the SHL’s side, an 18-year-old fifth-rounder of the Carolina Hurricanes from three months ago just scored a hat-trick against men.

Let’s dig in.