NCAA: Colorado College Commits McKown; Denver Adds Buium For 2021

Colorado College picked up a big piece late in the game for 2020. The Tigers committed Hunter McKown, a 4.25-star forward out of the U.S. NTDP.

In 47 games this season, the Missouri native has 10 points (all assists).

“He’s light on his feet, has speed and has improved his play with the puck,” said our scouts. ” He had one highlight play where he got possession in the neutral zone and flipped a puck over two opponents, skated by them, picked it back up again just inside the offensive blue line and accelerated to the net for a scoring chance. He has a fluid, athletic stride and his speed will continue to improve as he fills out and get stronger in his lower body. His hands compliment his feet in similar fashion being smooth and precise and he was able to score on a beautiful one-touch and set up several of his teammates”

About an hour away, Denver added some serious size to its blue line in 6-foot-3 defenseman Shai Buium, a 4-star defender from California who is only a 2003, so he’s still growing.

Buium is having a career-year for Shattuck this winter, posting 51 points in 42 games.

According to our scouts, Buium knows what he is, and he plays to his style with perfection.

“Shai knows what he is; a big, strong defenseman who can overpower opponents and punish them along the wall,” scouts said. “He made a couple of big hits at his blue line to stop the rush. He clogged up shooting and passing lanes all weekend. His stick is active and he hid his reach well.”

Canisius received a commitment from 3.75-star forward Max Kouznetsov, who is originally from Voorhees, N.J. Kouznetsov is lighting it up for Johnstown in the NAHL this seaosn, scoring 14 goals and adding 30 assists in 35 games.

“He is dangerous in transition and is always looking to snap the puck to the cage on the attack,” our scouts noted. “Has a heavy shot. Looks for one timer opportunities on the power play. Finishes his checks on the fore check. Would like to see him move more pucks through the neutral zone and also play harder without the puck.”

Cornell added 3.25-star defenseman Jack O’Brien. The British Columbia native has four points in 45 games for the Nanaimo Clippers in the BCHL this season.

“Athletic left-shot winger that plays a rugged and skilled game,” our scouts said. “Long body and reach allows him to protect the puck along the walls. He is poised with the puck and uses his edges to cut away from pressure.”

Drayton Valley Thunder forward Matthew Kinash, a 1999-born player from Edmonton, committed to Brown.

In his second full season with Drayton Valley, Kinash has 29 points (13g-16a) in 26 games.

“Has strong breakaway speed, and scored a nice ricochet goal,” scouts said. “He will backcheck hard, and will battle in the corners which he could be tougher in. Not afraid to circle back to create time and space.”

Mercyhurst added a Texas native in 3.5-star Kimball Johnson out of Minnesota in the NAHL. A 6-foot defender, Johnson has 21 points (6g-15a) on the blue line this season.

“Good active stick when defending in own zone and breaking up plays,” NZ scouts noted. “Elusive on breakouts using good edges and cut back to shake forechecks and make outlet passes, which we crisp and on the tape. Solid play on walls.”

Elsewhere in Atlantic Hockey, Army committed 3.75-star forward Joseph Baez from Lone Star in the NAHL. Baez is a Tampa, Fla. native who was originally committed to Alabama-Huntsville. He will bring a lot of energy and scoring to the Black Knights; in 42 games this season he has 27 goals and 19 assists.

“He has a great first step and quick hands,” scouts said. “He worked hard and created back pressure that he turned to transition chances.”

RPI added 3.25-star forward Henri Schreifels.

In 47 games for Victoria (BCHL) this season, Schreifels has 39 points, including 21 goals.

“Schreifels has an intriguing skill set, he has the size and the strength to win puck battles and play with some power and he’s got the speed and some skill to play an open-ice game.”