Trevor van Riemsdyk, D
Junior, University of New Hampshire (Hockey East)

After a stellar, All-American sophomore campaign last year, Trevor van Riemsdyk has built on that success this season. He is once again one of the most coveted collegiate free agents available. However, it is unclear just how hard NHL teams will pursue van Riemsdyk at the end of the season or if he’ll actually turn pro following a horrific ankle injury he suffered on January 18th versus Union College that has since kept him out of New Hampshire’s lineup.

Despite missing the Wildcats’ last 10 games, van Riemsdyk still ranks among the team’s top scorers. In 26 games to date, he has posted 23 points (four goals, 19 assists). His 23 points currently tie him for second among New Hampshire’s defensemen. Van Riemsdyk, who logs upwards of 20-25 minutes per game, is also one of the NCAA’s least penalized rearguards, having racked up just 10 penalty minutes so far.

Van Riemsdyk’s superb combination of hockey sense, vision, skating and hands have made him one of the NCAA’s top offensive defensemen. But what has scouts taking particular notice this season is how van Riemsdyk has taken his game to the next level, becoming a more complete defenseman. This has been especially evident in his defensive zone play and in using his strengthened 6’2”, 185-pound frame more effectively at both ends of the ice. Van Riemsdyk has shown marked improvement in areas such as separating players from pucks and limiting time and space. Van Riemsdyk is also playing the body more often and with greater effectiveness. What makes all of this even more impressive is the fact that it hasn’t taken away from his excellent offensive contributions.

:ravasz: