NHL: Best recent college hockey signings

The NHL has seen a surge of young talent recently, as a multitude of promising college hockey players have been signed to teams around the league. Among the most notable recent signings include Ivan Demidov, Ryan Leonard, Zeev Buium and Alex Bump.

Ivan Demidov – Montreal Canadiens

Selected fifth overall in the 2024 NHL Draft by the Canadiens, the 19-year-old Russian winger Ivan Demidov entered the league with high expectations from Habs fans. In Demidov’s last season in the KHL with SKA Saint Petersburg, he produced 49 points in 65 games.

Demidov signed a three-year entry-level contract and his debut for the Habs on Monday night did not disappoint as he put up 2 points, including a goal and an assist in a shootout loss against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Ryan Leonard – Washington Capitals

Leonard was taken eighth overall by the Capitals in the 2023 NHL Draft. The 20-year-old winger recently signed a three-year contract with Washington after an illustrious career at Boston College.

During his last season with the Eagles, Leonard recorded 49 points including 30 goals and 19 assists, which earned him accolades such as Hockey East Player of the Year and a Hobey Baker Memorial Award nominee.

Leonard also captained Team USA to a second consecutive gold medal at the World Junior Championship.

Leonard debuted for the Capitals on April 1, and has played 8 games for Washington so far, putting up one goal in those 8 games. The Capitals clinched the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference on Thursday against the Carolina Hurricanes, now preparing for the playoffs.

Zeev Buium – Minnesota Wild

Buium was selected 12th overall by the Wild in the 2024 NHL Draft. The 19-year-old defenseman from the University of Denver entered the 2025 Frozen Four leading all defenseman in the nation in points with 48, and ranked 2nd among all players in the country in assists with 35.

The young blueliner accumulated a multitude of accolades during his college career with the Pioneers. He was nominated for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award, the 2025 NCAA Northeast Regional Most Outstanding Player, and a 2024 NCAA National Champion.

Buium signed a three-year contract with the Wild on Sunday, and was expected to make his debut with the team against the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday. However, he was listed as a healthy scratch before the game as Minnesota fights for a playoff spot as the NHL season comes to a close.

Alex Bump – Philadelphia Flyers

Selected in the fifth round of the 2022 NHL Draft by Philadelphia, Bump has quickly ascended the ranks through his collegiate performance.

The 21-year-old winger from Western Michigan University just won the NCAA Men’s Hockey National Championship and led the Broncos in scoring during the 2024-25 season with 23 goals and 24 assists. He was named NCHC Forward of the Year and earned a spot on the All-NCHC First Team.

Bump signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Flyers on Tuesday, and is set to report to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, their AHL affiliate for the remainder of the season.

While he will join a club that has struggled greatly this season, Bump is another young talent that will join a Flyers team that is already loaded with young talented players that fans can get excited about.

Gavin Ems is a third-year majoring in digital and print journalism. To contact him, email gje5113@psu.edu