NCAA hockey signings: Sabres’ Owen Power, Blue Jackets’ Kent Johnson agree to entry-level contracts

The Frozen Four is set to wrap up competition with Minnesota State and Denver going head-to-head in the championship tomorrow night in Boston. 

Michigan and Minnesota were eliminated in the national semifinals and the two squads have a number of notable names that are expected to make the jump to the professional level. Michigan’s Owen Power and Kent Johnson are the latest players to sign.

Power, the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, reportedly agreed to sign his entry-level contract with the Sabres. Johnson officially inked his entry-level contract with the Blue Jackets, who selected him with the No. 5 pick in the 2021 NHL Draft. Wolverines captain Nick Blankenburg is joining Johnson in Columbus, as the undrafted free agent signed an ELC less than hour after Johnson. Be on the lookout for 2021 No. 2 draft pick Matty Beniers to sign from Michigan as well.

On the Minnesota side, Matthews Knies could potentially sign with the Maple Leafs or go back to school for another year. In the meantime, all eyes are on undrafted free agent and Hobey Baker finalist Ben Meyers, who has gained a ton of NHL interest. 

Here is a look at all the college players that have signed NHL entry-level contracts. 

MORE: NCAA Frozen Four 2022: Dates, time, TV channel, players to watch

College hockey free agent signing tracker

A number of athletes are headed to the professional level. There have been multiple college hockey players who are signing deals with NHL, AHL, ECHL or SPHL teams. 

Most are players who finished up their last season of eligibility in the NCAA, looking to continue their hockey career elsewhere. 

However, some are top prospects who are electing to waive the rest of their NCAA eligibility and sign with the NHL club that drafted them. First and second-round draft picks that have signed an entry-level deal are Kent Johnson, Jake Sanderson, Drew Helleson and Vladislav Firstov.