A new college hockey season is rapidly approaching, and once again, the eyes of the NHL will once again be focused on the next generation of NHLers currently playing in the college ranks.

37 players from my annual top-100 prospects list from last year went on to sign NHL contracts over the summer, including the top four and eight of the top 10. That created a lot of room for some talented newcomers to enter the list, with a lot of quality players returning as well.

Topping the list to begin the season is Wisconsin freshman Alex Turcotte, the fifth overall pick in last summer’s NHL Draft. Turcotte will become just the second top-5 NHL draft pick to play in the NCAA after being drafted in the past decade, joining Cale Makar, who topped last year’s list.

The Badgers also have the top returning prospect in the NCAA in sophomore defenseman K’Andre Miller, who has continued to develop into a dominating force on the blue line since being drafted in the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft.

It’s a long season, and much will change once teams start hitting the ice and games begin being played. It’s always a very fluid list. But here is how I see things as the season begins.