Two UConn men's hockey players land on NHL Central Scouting Rankings

The NHL Draft begins on Friday and while UConn doesn’t have a potential first round pick like last year with Matthew Wood, a couple of Huskies could still go in later rounds.

Incoming freshmen Kaden Shahan and Ethan Gardula were both included in NHL Central Scouting’s rankings, with Shahan coming in at 115 and Gardula featured at 214 among North American Skaters.

The two were also in last year’s rankings. Shahan finished at 149th while Gardula was listed at 170th. Neither were ultimately taken, though it’s notable that both are ranked again. Kevin Fitzgerald and Joe Odyniec were also part of the 2023 rankings but aren’t included this year.

Shahan is coming off a strong season with the USHL’s Sioux City Musketeers in which he totaled 39 goals — third-most in the league — and 18 assists in 56 regular season games, then added four goals and three assists in eight playoff contests.

As for Gardula, he racked up 20 goals and 29 assists in 58 regular season games with the Musketeers and then put up another five points in the playoffs.

UConn’s had at least one player or commit taken in the last 11 NHL Drafts dating back to 2013.

Elsewhere in the rankings, Owen Allard — brother of UConn women’s hockey sophomore Ashley Allard — landed at 174 while Daniel Shlaine — brother of former UConn men’s hockey forward Artem Shlaine — came in at 153.

The 2024 NHL Draft will be held in Las Vegas, with the first round starting at 7 p.m. ET on Friday and rounds 2-7 beginning at 11:30 a.m. ET.