By: Neil Simmons | Follow me on Twitter / X: @NSimmz
For the Boston Bruins prospects in college hockey, the first half of the 2025-26 NCAA season has been defined by a few standout performers leading the way for their respective teams. Whether they’ve already set new career highs, or are on track to do so, these players have been frequent entries into the weekly recap, and should expect to be back again after the winter break:
Dean Letourneau (C) – Boston College – Letourneau wrapped up his torrid first half with three goals over BC’s weekend sweep of UMass Lowell, including his first career multi-goal game, earning Hockey East Player of the Week recognition for his efforts. Big Dean has been instrumental to the Eagles this year, as his insurance marker in their 3-1 win on Saturday capped off a scoring streak of 7-5-12 in nine games dating back to early November, which coincided with BC’s return to elite form.
James Hagens (C/LW) – Boston College – Like Letourneau, Hagens also logged a point in each of BC’s wins over the weekend, scoring the game-winner on Friday and then assisting the winner in the rematch. The Bruins’ top prospect finished the first half as the Eagles’ leading goalscorer and point producer, with 10-8-18 in 16 games. Hagens has shown to be far more assertive in his playstyle as a sophomore, shouldering more responsibility to drive the offense and leading the team in shots on goal by a healthy margin. He’s only one goal off his freshman-year total with 21 games to spare.
Chris Pelosi (C) – Quinnipiac – Pelosi recorded a pair of second-period assists in the Bobcats’ 5-1 thumping of RPI on Friday night, extending his point streak to seven games before it was snapped in a shutout loss to Union on Saturday. He finished the first half as Quinnipiac’s second leading scorer with 10-10-20 in 18 games, a near-identical output to his scorching hot second half last season. His freshman year totals of 13-11-24 are well within range, and he should set new career highs quickly in 2026.
Will Zellers (RW) – North Dakota – Zellers recorded a point in each game for the second weekend in a row, scoring a highlight reel game winner on Friday night, then notching an assist on the icebreaker on Saturday as North Dakota swept St Cloud State. The Friday goal was his 10th of the season, and gave him sole possession of the team lead, breaking a tie with Ben Strinden. Zelers has been one of the most prolific freshmen in the country in the first half, and will have one more weekend to add to his stat line before the Fighting Hawks head to winter break.
Beckett Hendrickson (LW) – Minnesota – Hendrickson recorded three points over the Golden Gophers’ weekend split with Ohio State, setting a new career high in both goalscoring and points as Minnesota left Columbus with four points. He has five points in his last three games and nine points in nine, which have all been crucial to the Gophers’ recent turnaround after a difficult start to the season. Hendrickson finished the first half with 4-10-14 in 19 games, and a +14 rating, which is double the next closest Gopher.
Looking Ahead: With the Fall semester winding down, most college hockey teams have wrapped up their first halves and are either off to winter break, or will wrap up after this weekend.
Philip Svedeback and Providence close their first half on Tuesday night, staying local to play Brown on the road. Jonathan Morello and BU will skate in the final game at historic Matthews Arena, the oldest hockey rink in the world and the original home of the Bruins, on Saturday against Northeastern.
Zellers and the Fighting Hawks wrap up their slate with two home games against Omaha. Casper Nassen and Miami will play host to Colorado College.
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