The CHL-to-NCAA movement is continuing to change the recruiting landscape across college hockey and it shows no signs of slowing down. With the 2025 NHL Draft on the horizon, we expect another wave of commitments to follow once the draft wraps up. High-profile names like Gavin McKenna, Michael Misa, and Porter Martone are drawing heavy interest, as programs continue to make aggressive pushes to land elite-level talent. Here’s the latest on what we are hearing.

Gavin McKenna | WHL | Medicine Hat Tigers

The highest-profile name still on the board continues to generate major buzz. Fresh off a Memorial Cup run, Gavin McKenna now has to consider his options — return to junior for another season or explore the NCAA route. We are hearing McKenna is expected to visit Michigan State in the coming weeks, with the Spartans firmly sitting as one of the top contenders in the sweepstakes.

Penn State remains aggressive in their pursuit, reportedly offering big NIL packages to CHL recruits. From what we have heard, the Nittany Lions are not only in the mix, they may sit inside McKenna’s top three.

There’s also speculation that McKenna could follow teammate Ryder Ritchie, who has been linked to Boston University. The two are believed to be interested in continuing to play together at the college level, adding an intriguing layer to McKenna’s decision.

Porter Martone | OHL | Brampton Steelheads

Porter Martone, a projected top-five pick in the upcoming NHL Draft, remains a name to watch closely, particularly when it comes to Penn State. While things have been relatively quiet on the Martone front in recent weeks, conversations are still ongoing, and the Nittany Lions continue to be the school most consistently linked to Martone. Earlier in May, Will James reported a significant NIL offer from Penn State, and with his former teammate Luke Misa already committed, there’s growing speculation that he could follow a similar path.

Jackson Smith | WHL | Tri-City Americans

Scott Wheeler of The Athletic recently reported that Jackson Smith has committed to Penn State for next season. Smith, a projected top-15 pick in the upcoming NHL Draft, remains one of the most intriguing names on the NCAA recruiting board. While Penn State is no doubt the front runner, sources indicate the commitment is not finalized. Smith is expected to visit Penn following the NHL Combine, while continuing to evaluate his options. He also has the option to return to the Tri-City Americans and dominate the WHL for his D+1 season. For now, nothing is finalized — but Penn State looks to be the frontrunner.

Justin Carboneau | QMJHL | Blainville-Boisbriand Armada

Carboneau, a projected first-round pick in the upcoming NHL Draft, continues to be heavily linked to Boston College. Carboneau would be a perfect fit alongside James Hagens, potentially rounding out the top-six for the Eagles. While no decision has been made official, we are hearing Boston College is the clear favorite, with Carboneau leaning heavily toward joining one of college hockey’s most prestigious schools.

Michael Misa | OHL | Saginaw Spirit

Misa, a projected top-five pick in the upcoming NHL Draft, remains one of the hottest names in the CHL-to-NCAA conversation. Both Boston University and Penn State have been linked to Misa, with the Nittany Lions emerging as a potential landing spot following the earlier commitment of his brother, Luke. While Misa is expected to push for an NHL roster spot right out of the draft, the NCAA remains a strong option if that doesn’t happen. There is talk of Denver looking for a potential number one center for next year, could he follow suit of former Spirit teammate Kristian Eppersson and join Denver? We speculate that all the big schools are in on Misa, and he will have no shortage of options should he choose the college path.

Ryder Ritchie | WHL | Medicine Hat Tigers

After a strong performance at the Memorial Cup, Ryder Ritchie will be on every college program’s radar. The Minnesota Wild prospect finds himself in an interesting position heading into the summer — if an NHL contract doesn't come about, the NCAA could become an appealing option to further his development and play against better competition. Boston University has been the most frequently rumored destination, while there’s also been some quiet speculation about a potential fit with Michigan. A reunion with Gavin McKenna, his Medicine Hat teammate,  isn’t out of the question either. As the summer approaches, Ritchie is expected to evaluate all his options, making him one of the more intriguing names to track in the coming weeks.