ASUN baseball championship canceled due to rain, Stetson earns AQ bid to NCAA tournament

ASUN baseball championship canceled due to rain, Stetson earns AQ bid to NCAA tournament
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UNC baseball press conference vs Boston College in ACC Tournament
Following UNC baseball's win vs. Boston College in the 2025 ACC Tournament, three Tar Heels discussed the comeback and looked ahead to Florida State.
Florida Gulf Coast baseball's season came to a controversial end on Sunday night.
FGCU led Stetson 6-5 in the seventh inning when a rain delay came, which lasted over six hours. The game was never resumed, as the Atlantic Sun was forced to cancel the game and declare both teams co-tournament winners, despite FGCU being named the winner of Sunday's game.
However, Stetson was declared the ASUN's automatic qualifier to the 2025 NCAA baseball tournament, as announced by Atlantic Sun Conference commissioner after the game was called.
REQUIRED READING: NCAA baseball tournament: Regional host sites for College World Series bracket
"Despite tremendous efforts, we were unable to complete the 2025 Atlantic Sun Conference Baseball Tournament due to inclement weather," ASUN commissioner Jeff Bacon said in a statement. "Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) has been declared the winner of today's first championship game and, with FGCU and Stetson University (Stetson) having a 1-1 record versus each other, both FGCU and Stetson will be recognized as 2025 ASUN co-tournament champions.
"Per ASUN policy, Stetson University will be awarded our 2025 automatic qualifier. Congratulations to both teams for an outstanding season, and best wishes to the Hatters as they continue on."
Stetson was the No. 1 overall seed of the ASUN tournament, and had a 24-6 conference record this season compared to FGCU's 16-14 mark. Stetson was also in the winner's bracket of the double-elimination tournament, entering the championship with a 3-0 record (and having beaten the Eagles in the second round of the winner's bracket 5-4 on May 22).
REQUIRED READING: NCAA baseball tournament bracket: Who has received automatic bid to CWS field?
That meant FGCU (3-1 in tournament play) would have needed to beat the Hatters a second time to win the automatic qualifier from the ASUN. An email sent to the Atlantic Sun asking for clarification on the policy was not immediately returned to the USA TODAY Sports Network.
Stetson now awaits its name to be called on Monday, when the full 64-team NCAA baseball tournament field will be revealed.

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USA Today

14 minutes ago

• USA Today

LSU vs Coastal Carolina baseball score: Tigers win 8th College World Series title

For the second time in the last three years, LSU baseball is the last team standing in Omaha. Thanks to an explosive fourth inning, the Tigers defeated No. 13 Coastal Carolina 5-3 on June 22 in Game 2 of the College World Series championship series at Charles Schwab Field Omaha in Omaha, Nebraska. The title is the Tigers' eighth overall College World Series title, which is the second most among all Division I programs and four behind USC's 12 titles. This is the second title LSU has won under Jay Johnson and the SEC's sixth consecutive title. MORE: Winners and losers from College World Series "I'm just so proud. This is a team. Our whole motto of the year was tough and together and that is what they did from August 26th through now," said Johnson − who became the fastest coach to win two CWS titles at a school in NCAA baseball history − on the ESPN broadcast. "Just incredibly proud." Coastal Carolina manager Kevin Schnall and first base coach Matt Schilling were both ejected in the bottom of the first. Schnall was ejected by home plate umpire Angel Campos after walking onto the field following a warning for arguing strike and balls. Both were suspended for games to start the upcoming 2026 season. LSU's bats exploded in the top of the fourth inning against Coastal Carolina ace Jacob Morrison, who loaded the bases to begin the inning. Chris Stanfield then delivered a two-RBI single into left field to give LSU its first lead. Three batters later, Derek Curiel delivered a clutch two-out, two-RBI single up the middle to give the Tigers a 5-1 lead. Coastal Carolina took a brief 1-0 lead over LSU in the bottom of the second on a solo home run from Dean Mihos. LSU would tie the score up at 1-1 a half inning later on a RBI double off the wall from Ethan Frey. Anthony Eyanson followed up Kade Anderson's masterful Game 1 performance with a solid outing of his own. The right-hander went 6 1/3 innings against Coastal Carolina and struck out nine hitters on the afternoon while giving up three runs on seven hits and two home runs. USA TODAY Sports brought you live updates, scores and highlights of LSU's national championship win in Game 2 of the CWS finals. Recap the game below. Coastal Carolina vs LSU baseball live score This section will be updated throughout the game LSU vs Coastal Carolina CWS Game 2 highlights Here's a compilation of the highlights from LSU's CWS finals clinching win over Coastal Carolina on June 22: Coastal Carolina vs LSU baseball live updates This section was updated with new information Who won College World Series Most Outstanding Player? Shortly after LSU defeated Coastal Carolina, Tigers' ace Kade Anderson was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 2025 College World Series. The left-hander threw the third complete-game shutout in CWS finals history in Game 1 of the championship series on June 21. LSU wins College World Series Chase Shores dials up a 4-6-3 inning-ending double play to win the 2025 College World Series for LSU. Chase Shores get out No. 1 in ninth Chase Shores strikes out Ty Dooley on a 100 mph fastball. There is one out in the bottom of the ninth with a runner on first for Coastal Carolina. Coastal Carolina brings tying run to plate Coastal Carolina has the tying run up at the plate in Ty Dooley after Dean Mihos starts the bottom of the ninth with a lead-off single. Things are getting interesting now in Omaha. LSU heads into ninth inning looking It's onto the bottom of the ninth inning for LSU, as the Tigers leave a runner on base in the top half of the inning. It appears Chase Shores will be the one looking for the final three outs to give LSU its eighth national championship title. Last go-around for Coastal Carolina, which needs two runs to tie it and three to force a Game 3. Chase Shores throws scoreless inning Chase Shores continues to be unhittable on the mound in relief, as the LSU reliever throws a scoreless 1-2-3 eighth inning. Shores has now retired five straight batters since he came in for Anthony Eyanson in the bottom of the seventh, recording a strikeout in four of those outs. Shores began the eighth inning by striking out Walker Mitchell on a 101 mph fastball. He then got Blagen Pado chasing strike three for out No. 2 in the inning on an off-speed pitch. The Tigers are three outs away from winning it all. Caden Bodine throws out Daniel Dickinson LSU tries to take a base against Darin Horn, but Caden Bodine throws Daniel Dickinson out at second. Home plate umpire Angel Campos also called batter interference on Michael Braswell before Bodine's throw down to second, meaning Dickinson was already out before the tag. Two batters later, after Braswell singled into left field, Horn gets Derek Curiel looking for the third out of the inning. LSU has now been held scoreless by Coastal Carolina pitching each of the last four innings. Chase Shores gets LSU out of seventh inning Chase Shores does his job, as he gets LSU out of the seventh inning with a ground out and a strikeout. Shores' strike-three pitch against Blake Barthol hit 101 mph on the gun — absolute flames and filth. LSU heads into the eighth inning looking to get those two runs back, as it now leads Coastal Carolina 5-3. LSU makes pitching change in seventh inning The two-run home run to Wells Sykes will be it for Anthony Eyanson on the mound, as LSU manager Jay Johnson goes to the bullpen for the first time in the CWS finals. Before Johnson makes the call to the bullpen, Eyanson gets Caden Bodine to fly out to center for the first out of the inning. It will be Chase Shores on the mound for LSU. Wells Sykes hits two-run home run for Coastal Carolina And just like that, Coastal Carolina is back in this one. Wells Sykes puts a hanging slider from Anthony Eyanson into the left-center seats for a two-run home run to bring Coastal Carolina within two runs of LSU at 5-3 in the bottom of the seventh. The Chanticleers entered the day with no home runs in the College World Series. They now have two. Blake Barthol error doesn't cost Coastal Carolina The top of the seventh inning extends for Darin Horn and Coastal Carolina, as Chanticleers second baseman Blake Barthol can't hold onto the ball on a high pop-up from Jared Jones that carried in the air for nearly five seconds. Barthol's error, which put runners on the corners for LSU with two outs, doesn't end up costing Coastal Carolina a run, as Horn struck out Luis Hernandez for the third out. It's 5-1 LSU going into the bottom of the seventh. Anthony Eyanson records ninth strikeout of the game Much like Kade Anderson in Game 1 of the CWS finals, LSU starter Anthony Eyanson continues to get sharper as the game progresses in Omaha. The right-hander gets back-to-back strikeouts to close the sixth inning, both coming on off-speed pitches, to increase his strikeout total to nine on the day. Coastal Carolina has now put a runner on base in 14 of the 15 total innings thus far in the CWS finals, but hasn't been able to do much damage off that. LSU's Chris Stanfield makes diving catch in center Stan the Man? More like Superman. On the second pitch of the sixth inning, LSU centerfielder Chris Stanfield comes up with an impressive diving catch to keep a potential extra-base hit off the board for Coastal Carolina. Great read and jump on the ball from Stanfield to come up with the catch. Hayden Johnson throws scoreless sixth After getting two quick outs to begin the sixth inning, one of which came on an overturned call at first on a Coastal Carolina challenge, Hayden Johnson walks Michael Braswell to extend the inning. The Chanticleers' left-handed reliever then answers back by striking out Derek Curiel to keep the scoreless inning intact. It's starting to become make-or-break time for Coastal Carolina, as it is 5-1 LSU going into the sixth inning in Omaha. Coastal Carolina leaves runner in scoring position It's 5-1 LSU going into the sixth inning in Omaha, as Anthony Eyanson gets Blake Barthol to ground out to Daniel Dickinson at second for the third out. Eyanson has done a nice job throughout the afternoon getting out of mini-jams on the baselines. Coastal Carolina leaves another runner in scoring position in the inning, its third of the afternoon. The Chanticleers have struggled to find any sort of momentum since Dean Mihos' solo home run in the second inning gave them a brief 1-0 lead. Coastal Carolina strands two runners on base in fifth Coastal Carolina continues to struggle at getting that big hit with runners in scoring position in the CWS finals, as the Chanticleers leave two runners on base in the bottom of the fifth. Working with his first big jam of the afternoon, LSU pitcher Anthony Eyanson throws a breaking ball in the dirt to get Ty Dooley swinging for the third out. The strike three pitch on Dooley from Eyanson was absolute filth, and it increases his strikeout total to seven. LSU plates four runs in the fourth inning It's a four-run top of the fourth for LSU after the Tigers finally break through against Coastal Carolina right-hander Jacob Morrison. The rally for LSU began with loading the bases on a walk, a single and a hit-by-pitch with no outs in the inning. Anthony Eyanson heads back out working with a lead for the first time on the afternoon. If Coastal Carolina wants to get back in this one and force a Game 3, the Chanticleers will need some quality at-bats coming up here in the fourth. Derek Curiel extends LSU lead over Coastal Carolina The Tigers aren't done scoring in the top of the fourth, as Derek Curiel comes up with a clutch two-out single up the middle to clear the bases and extend LSU's lead over Coastal Carolina to 5-1. Curiel will be the last hitter Jacob Morrison faces on the day, as the Coastal Carolina right-hander is pulled from the mound. Morrison is responsible for Curiel as Hayden Johnson comes into pitch. Chris Stanfield scores two runs for LSU, Tigers take lead Chris Stanfield laces a 1-0 fastball into left field to give LSU its first lead of Game 2 of the CWS finals with a two-RBI single, allowing Jake Brown and Jared Jones to score. The Tigers are now 3 for 7 with runners in scoring position in the CWS finals. The Tigers have Jacob Morrison on the ropes here in the top of the fourth with runners on first and second and no outs. It's 3-1 LSU. LSU loads the bases in fourth inning Three batters into the fourth inning and LSU has the bases loaded as Coastal Carolina pitcher Jacob Morrison hits LSU catcher Luis Hernandez. Prime opportunity here for the Tigers to do some damage with Chris Stanfield coming up with no outs. LSU puts runners on the corners Jared Jones lines one into left field to put runners on the corners to begin the top of the fourth inning for LSU. A great jump from Jake Brown, who worked a lead-off walk, allowed him to go from first to third on the play. The Tigers are knocking on the door here against Coastal Carolina. LSU escapes jam in third inning Anthony Eyanson gets LSU out of the third inning by getting Blake Barthol to chase a high fastball. Aside from missing his spot on that solo home run from Dean Mihos, the Tigers' right-hander has been strong on the mound, striking out six of his first 12 batters It's all knotted up at 1-1 going into the fourth inning between LSU and Coastal Carolina. Both teams have left two runners on base through the first three innings of action. Coastal Carolina's Kevin Schnall ejection, explained Coming out of the in-between inning break, ESPN play-by-play broadcaster Karl Ravech mentioned that Coastal Carolina head coach Kevin Schnall was ejected from the game for continuing to argue with home plate umpire Angel Campos on ball-and-strikes after being warned. "Schnall was arguing balls and strikes, the umpire then gave him a warning and once you get a warning you can't come out of the dugout and argue. He was (then) ejected," Ravech said. Per the NCAA baseball rulebook, Schnall was also given a two-game suspension for prolonging the argument on the field. This means that if Coastal Carolina wins Game 2 of the CWS finals, he will not be eligible to manage Game 3 on June 23. REQUIRED READING: Why was Coastal Carolina's Kevin Schnall tossed in College World Series final game? REQUIRED READING: Who is Angel Campos? What to know of College World Series umpire after ejection Ethan Frey ties game at 1-1 for LSU Ethan Frey smoked a 1-1 fastball past the head of Coastal Carolina left fielder Sebastian Alexander and bounces off the wall, allowing Daniel Dickinson to come around from second and tie the game at 1-1. The ball came off Frey's bat at 114 mph. Dean Mihos gives Coastal Carolina 1-0 lead That will calm the emotions down a bit! Dean Mihos puts Coastal Carolina up in front of LSU 1-0 in the bottom of the second inning with a solo home run that carried over the left field wall thanks to the wind. It is the first lead of the CWS championship series for Coastal Carolina, and the first home run for the Chanticleers in Omaha. Jacob Morrison throws 1-2-3 inning Three up, three down for Coastal Carolina pitcher Jacob Morrison in the top of the second inning. As Morrison was walking off the field, after getting Chris Stanfield to line out to first for the final out, he was seen talking to home plate umpire Angel Campos about something. ESPN's camera caught Coastal Carolina acting coach Chad Oxendine talking to the team between innings, perhaps in an effort to calm down the emotions of the Chanticleers after the ejections of head coach Kevin Schnall and first base coach Matt Schilling. "He gathered the entire team over and said, "I need you to settle down. If you get run, you can't help us," ESPN's Kris Budden reported. Anthony Eyanson throws scoreless first inning Following a brief interruption on the field for the ejections of Coastal Carolina's Kevin Schnall and Matt Schilling, Anthony Eyanson comes back and gets Walker Mitchell to roll one over to LSU third baseman Michael Braswell for the third out of the inning. Eyanson recorded two strikeouts in the inning. Onto the second inning in Omaha. Kevin Schnall ejected from College World Series Game 2 Home plate umpire Angel Campos has ejected Coastal Carolina coach Kevin Schnall in the bottom of the first inning in Game 2 of the College World Series championship series. It remains unclear as to what led to Schnall's ejection, but things appeared to have escalated on the field. Coastal Carolina first base coach Matt Schilling was also ejected from the game after arguing with the umpires on the field on Schnall's ejection. Per the ESPN broadcast, Coastal Carolina recruiting coordinator Chad Oxendine is now serving as the Chanticleers' acting coach. LSU strands runner in first inning Jacob Morrison gets a big strikeout to get out of the early jam in the top of the first, as Jake Brown goes down swinging for the final out. Two of the first three outs for Morrison have been by the K, with the outlier being a groundout to second. LSU left Steven Milam at first in the inning after the Tigers' shortstop reached on a bloop single that fell in front of three Coastal Carolina fielders along the left field line. Anthony Eyanson heads out to the mound for the first time for LSU. Jacob Morrison opens CWS Game 2 with strikeout A great start for Jacob Morrison on the mound for Coastal Carolina as he gets Derek Curiel swinging on a 1-2 off-speed pitch for the first out of the game. He entered the afternoon with 102 strikeouts on the season. College World Series championship Game 2 underway Game 2 of the 2025 College World Series championship series is underway, as Jacob Morrison fires in a first pitch strike to Derek Curiel. Coastal Carolina is looking to extend the championship series with a win, while LSU is looking to close the deal with its eighth national championship. Pregame Jacob Morrison pitching stats In a must-win game, Jacob Morrison is getting the start for Coastal Carolina vs. LSU in Game 2 of the CWS championship series. Morrison earned the win vs. Oregon State, which included becoming only the third pitcher since 2011 to retire 16 or more batters in a College World Series game. He enters Game 2 with a 2.08 ERA on the season, which ranks fifth best among all Division I starters this year. Here's a full breakdown of Morrison's season stats entering Game 2: Anthony Eyanson pitching stats Anthony Eyanson earned a no-decision in his previous CWS start vs. UCLA, and enters Game 2 vs. Coastal Carolina with a 2.92 ERA on the season. Here's a full breakdown of Eyanson's season stats entering Game 2: Coastal Carolina baseball starting lineup vs LSU After being the away team in Game 1 of the CWS championship series, Coastal Carolina will be the home team in Game 2. Here's the starting lineup for the Chanticleers: Right-hander Jacob Morrison will start on the mound for Coastal Carolina. LSU baseball starting lineup vs Coastal Carolina LSU will be the designated away team in Game 2 of the CWS championship series against Coastal Carolina. Here's the starting lineup for the Tigers: Right-hander Anthony Eyanson will start on the mound for LSU. Skip Bertman visits LSU baseball in Omaha LSU baseball received a special visit pregame ahead of Game 2 vs. Coastal Carolina from former Tigers skipper, Skip Bertman. In his 17 seasons in Baton Rouge, Bertman built the LSU baseball program into one of the country's powerhouses and is responsible for leading LSU to its first five national titles. College World Series winners by year Leading 1-0 in the CWS championship series, LSU enters the day with the opportunity to win the national championship. Here's a year-by-year breakdown of who has won the College World Series since 2010: Click here to see all College World Series champions dating back to 1947. Most College World Series titles Among all Division I baseball programs, LSU ranks second for most College World Series titles, with seven. LSU moved into sole possession of second place with its 2023 CWS title. It had been in a tie with Texas. Here's a breakdown of where LSU ranks among all Division I programs when it comes to most CWS titles: REQUIRED READING: How many times has LSU won the College World Series? LSU baseball starting pitcher Antony Eyanson will get the ball for LSU in Game 2 of the College World Series championship series against Coastal Carolina. The UC San Diego transfer is having a career-high season with the Tigers this season, as he has posted an 11-2 record and a 2.92 ERA in 101 2/3 innings of work. Eyanson lasted just three innings in his CWS start vs. UCLA on June 16, as he gave up three runs on four hits. Coastal Carolina baseball starting pitcher With its season on the line, Coastal Carolina will hand the ball to its ace, Jacob Morrison, for Game 2 of the College World Series championship series against LSU. Morrison is undefeated this season on the mound with a 12-0 record in 17 starts. He holds a 2.08 ERA in 104 innings pitched with 102 strikeouts. Opponents are hitting .194 against Morrison this season. The 6-foot-8 right-hander is 1-0 at the College World Series this season, as he was awarded the win in Coastal Carolina's 6-2 win over No. 8 Oregon State. In that start, Morrison finished with seven strikeouts over 7 2/3 innings while giving up one run on five hits. REQUIRED READING: Coastal Carolina pitcher Jacob Morrison makes history in College World Series gem Big Mike arrives in Omaha LSU fans are notoriously known for their passion and fandom, as evident by their run in the Rocco's Jell-O Shot Challenge. But that also includes making a 13-foot, 15,000-pound fiberglass version of Mike the Tiger, LSU's mascot, that fans can tailgate in before watching LSU play in the College World Series. Noted by ESPN, the float was unveiled last week at Alex Box Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana as LSU left for the College World Series. It then took a 15-hour, 900-plus drive from Baton Rouge to Omaha. What time does Coastal Carolina vs LSU baseball start? Coastal Carolina and LSU baseball are scheduled for a 2:30 p.m. ET first pitch at Charles Schwab Field Omaha in Omaha, Nebraska in Game 2 of the College World Series championship series on June 22. What TV channel is Coastal Carolina vs LSU baseball on today? ABC will televise Game 2 of the CWS championship series between Coastal Carolina and LSU. Streaming options include ESPN+, ESPN's subscription streaming service and Fubo, which offers a free trial to new subscribers. Watch Coastal Carolina vs. LSU baseball live with Fubo (free trial) LSU vs Coastal Carolina baseball CWS Game 2 odds, predictions, picks Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of June 22 Cory Diaz of The Daily Advertiser, part of the USA TODAY Network, picked LSU to win Game 2 of the CWS championship over Coastal Carolina by a score of 3-1. Here's more: "Both offenses will struggle to consistently generate anything against Eyanson and Morrison as Game 2 in the series will be another low-scoring affair. LSU's bats will find a way to chase Morrison and ultimately do some damage against the Chanticleers' bullpen to score a couple of late runs to put the game away. The Tigers win the 2025 College World Series national championship." College World Series schedule The eight-team, double-elimination College World Series began on June 13 at Charles Schwab Field Omaha in Omaha, Nebraska. Both Coastal Carolina and LSU won their respective CWS semifinal games on June 18, meaning the "if necessary" CWS semifinal games on June 19 weren't needed. The best-of-three CWS championship series started on June 21 and continues through either June 22 or June 23, depending on if the series advances to the "if necessary" Game 3 or not. Here's a full look at the 2025 CWS schedule: Friday, June 13 Saturday, June 14 Sunday, June 15 Monday, June 16 Tuesday, June 17 Wednesday, June 18 CWS Finals

Yahoo

2 hours ago

• Yahoo

Video: Mom Goes Viral For 'Embarrassing' Behavior At College World Series

Video: Mom Goes Viral For 'Embarrassing' Behavior At College World Series originally appeared on The Spun. An apparent mom is going viral for her "embarrassing" behavior at the College World Series in Omaha. The LSU Tigers topped the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers in the College World Series. LSU topped Coastal Carolina in back-to-back games to win the College World Series for the second time in three years. It's the eighth national championship in program history. Meanwhile, at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, Nebraska, an LSU Tigers fan is going viral for her "embarrassing" behavior on the field. Tensions grew between a woman in a yellow dress and a man in an LSU Tigers football jersey. From the report: The gentleman in the LSU football jersey (clearly a little confused about which sport is being played) looks like he's enjoying the spirited conversation he's having with the lady in the yellow dress. It would appear the yellow-dressed lady doesn't feel the same way, though. Middle fingers are being flung and obscenities are being screamed, and it takes a lady from a different section in addition to the husband (?) to hold this psycho fan back from making some questionable decisions. The College World Series is often praised for its wild atmosphere. Thankfully, things didn't escalate to too much of a crazy level on Sunday. Video: Mom Goes Viral For 'Embarrassing' Behavior At College World Series first appeared on The Spun on Jun 23, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jun 23, 2025, where it first appeared.

New York Times

4 hours ago

• New York Times

2025 NHL Draft player poll: 50 top prospects give their own NHL projections

This season, The Athletic's prospects writers Scott Wheeler and Corey Pronman set out to do something ambitious: pull off a 2025 NHL Draft player poll similar to the player polls our staff conduct in the NHL, NBA, NFL and MLB. In the fall, they settled on 10 questions — three on the record and seven anonymous — and spent the season gathering as many responses as possible. Out of it, 50 of the top prospects in the 2025 NHL Draft class were surveyed by year's end for our inaugural NHL Draft player poll. Here are the responses from when they asked the prospects, 'What NHL player do you realistically think you could become?' The goal was to have the players think honestly and answer candidly about a projected outcome for themselves, rather than asking them for usually lofty player comparables. Carter Bear: I think a player comparison for me is Zach Hyman. … His motor and his intensity in all zones, and then obviously he has a scoring touch, and I think that I have that too. And also just his play without the puck, he's relentless on (the) puck. Adam Benak: Clayton Keller and Brayden Point. Advertisement Justin Carbonneau: I think I can become Adrian Kempe. … He's a big guy, he has speed and a good shot, and he grinds. That's the type of player I want to become. … It's my grind and my compete level that gets me to my offense, and then I use my skills. But I would say it starts with my compete. Braeden Cootes: I like to watch Wyatt Johnston on Dallas, the way he plays. … And Brayden Point, a guy like that. I think they just play a great overall game, and they can obviously score goals, and they're great in the playoffs, too. Ethan Czata: I like Dylan Larkin or one of the Tkachuk brothers. … I like Larkin because he's a 200-foot player and does all of the right things, but also likes to be physical. Caleb Desnoyers: I think I can be a Jonathan Toews type. A complete player, versatile, can play in every situation. He's a winner who has won Stanley Cups, and I'd love to become that type. Victor Eklund: Travis Konecny for sure. … He has a high motor, he's pretty physical out there, and it feels like he never runs out of energy. That's pretty much like me. Conrad Fondrk: I like to watch the Wild a lot. Kaprizov. Boldy. I don't know if I exactly replicate those guys' games, but I love watching those guys and taking things from their game and putting them in mine. Anton Frondell: My game is compared to (Aleksander) Barkov. Captain. Good guy. Good size. Good hockey sense. Eddie Genborg: Matthew Tkachuk. James Hagens: I think a Jack Hughes. Just kind of the way he skates, the way he handles the puck, and the way he plays. William Horcoff: Brady Tkachuk. Jakob Ihs-Wozniak: I would say Filip Forsberg. I feel that we're the same type of player, and I model my game after him a little bit. … He's good at scoring, he's good at finding areas where he can score, and I'm striving to become as hard-working as him in the intensity and stuff like that. Advertisement I feel like it has gotten better and better. Of course, the Hlinka was tough for me, but after that, it has just gone in a positive direction, I would say. It's getting better and better all the time, and I think I'm taking steps. Ben Kevan: I'd say Jordan Kyrou. Me and him have kind of the same build. Not super big but not undersized type winger. Both of us can get up the ice quick and make quick plays off of the rush and in the zone, so I think that's my comparable. … I'm always trying to stay fast. I played a lot of soccer growing up, too, so that's where I got a lot of my leg strength from. Ben Kindel: I'd say a guy like Nick Suzuki on upside and the offensive side — a very smart player, two-way center. I'd also say I could become a guy like Phillip Danault. Kind of a third-line checking center in a shutdown role. … (Because of) my hockey sense, my ability on faceoffs, my defensive awareness and my ability to strip pucks and play in the defensive zone. Lynden Lakovic: I think I could realistically become a top-six player who can contribute scoring. I think I could be a good playoff player who can be physical if the time comes, just growing into my body and physically maturing my game. … A player comparable I use is Tage Thompson. That's someone that I think I can become, and I think we play a lot alike with our frame, our skill sets are pretty similar, and at my age, I think I definitely had better skating, and he definitely has the better shot. I'm not saying my shot's bad, I have a good shot. … I'm definitely more used to the wing, but I think I'm smart enough that I could play center. Ryker Lee: William Nylander's probably the biggest one for me. Guys like that. David Pastrnak. … Their understanding of time and space, their hands. They're playmakers, but they can shoot the puck for sure. Advertisement Brady Martin: I like to think Matthew Tkachuk. Just a clutch guy, an instigator who is always in the scrums and everything. Porter Martone: I like Corey Perry and Matthew Tkachuk. You can see Matthew Tkachuk is such an impact player with the Florida Panthers on a deep run to the Stanley Cup. Corey Perry's older now, but the way he had a knack for creating offense and just helping his team every night and being a hard player to play against and just really leaning on his team. They put up good numbers and they're hard players to play against and a pest on the ice. … It's just in my character and the way I finish my checks and get to the net front. I think I just play the right way and then that comes. Michael Misa: I like to think I play a lot like Kirill Kaprizov, just the way he distributes the puck offensively. But he's a 200-foot player, and he's someone that I think I can model my game after. … It's just the way he plays, but I think I'm more of a center. Will Moore: Matt Boldy. … Tall, super poised, super creative, but has a great scoring touch. Jack Nesbitt: Tom Wilson. I love Tom Wilson. … He's a physical guy and he can move the puck well. He's a great leader, and I plan to be like him. Eric Nilson: I feel like I model my game after Jack Eichel. I love to see him play. He uses his ability to skate and his skill to the inside. I use my skating ability and skills. Jake O'Brien: I think I can become Wyatt Johnston because of my hockey IQ and my passing ability. Cullen Potter: I hear (Mathew) Barzal, and I think that's realistic for me. Cole Reschny: I think I could definitely become a player like Brayden Schenn, or Ryan O'Reilly, or Brayden Point. I think they're just very strong, 200-foot centermen, they think the game well and they're very fast. You see the high-end plays that they can make at the speed of the game, that's just something that I've always had, my hockey IQ and taking pride in the defensive zone just as much as the offensive zone and then in the offensive zone setting up a teammate or shooting the puck. Advertisement Luca Romano: Dawson Mercer. … He plays heavy. Two-way game. Good on pucks. Skill. And he's fast. Cameron Schmidt: He hasn't been in the league long, but I'd say (Logan) Stankoven, just the size similarities and his scoring ability that he has. Two years ago, we played in the first round, and I went and watched that. Malcolm Spence: A player I try to play like is Carter Verhaeghe. I like his game a lot. He's a fast player, he can play anywhere in the lineup, he can play penalty kill, he can play power play, he's on at the end of a game if you need a goal or if you have a lead and you're trying to keep it. And I think Ryan O'Reilly as well. I know he's a centerman most of the time, but I like his details, and I think he's a good player. Theo Stockselius: I really like Joel Eriksson Ek from Minnesota. … I think we have the same size, and he wasn't the best skater when he was my age. I really like him for his skating and his speed and he's good defensively and offensively. Shane Vansaghi: I think like Josh Anderson in Montreal. He's a big power forward who plays that north-south game that I would consider myself to play as well. He's physical and effective on the forecheck, and I see him take pucks to the net all the time, and that's what I try and do, and I feel like I do a pretty good job of that. Mason West: I think Tage Thompson with his size and athletic ability. I think I really play like an athlete and I think he really worked on his shot, which I'm really trying to do and work on my body control and edges, which he does a really good job of. So I think I'd just say Tage Thompson. I think I can kind of become that type of player and also do different things that he doesn't. Bill Zonnon: Adrian Kempe. I think we're pretty similar. He's good both ways. He's got good size. He's pretty dynamic offensively. He's a big boy. I'd like to be a player like him in the NHL. Advertisement Kashawn Aitcheson: Charlie McAvoy. … I think I'm a great skater, good IQ, and I play a really shutdown defensive game and can stop other teams' top lines, but also create secondary offense. … I think I can grow into (a power-play guy) for sure. Quinn Beauchesne: That's a tough question. Someone I try to model my game after is someone like Charlie McAvoy, a good skater and good puck-moving defenseman who can join the offense and shows a physical side when he needs to. … For me, it's just really trying to model my game and not setting any limits on myself and just trying to become the best player that I can become. I think he's just good at everything, so it's really just trying to watch and learn. He's a great puck-moving D, he can skate really well, and he plays really well with his stick. Sascha Boumedienne: Miro Heiskanen. Blake Fiddler: I think I could become a big two-way, top-four defenseman in the NHL. … Shea Theodore's a guy I model my game after. Milton Gastrin: Maybe Landeskog. … He works hard, he's good offensively and good defensively. That's the way I play. Reese Hamilton: I would like to become like a Miro Heiskanen from Dallas. Smooth-skating defenseman, I'm pretty mobile. … It really has nothing to do with his draft and where he went; it has more to do with his playing style. We both have pretty good feet, and he's pretty good in the defensive zone as well as the offensive zone. Eventually, down the road, I think it's realistic. Logan Hensler: Jake Sanderson. Not the flashiest guy, but great skater and how efficient and reliable he is. That's a big piece I'm trying to grow into. Radim Mrtka: I would say Moritz Seider. … I think that we are kind of the same. He's high IQ, we play a two-way game, and I've always found we're really similar. Jack Murtagh: Mikko Rantanen or Matthew Tkachuk. Advertisement Max Psenicka: I think in the future I think I can be something similar to Victor Hedman … I think we both are similar heights. I need to get stronger to get to his size, but I think I can probably be him. Cam Reid: I'd say someone like Morgan Rielly. He moves his feet well and he thinks the game well. It's something I model my game after, and I think that will carry me. Jackson Smith: I feel like I could become like a Miro Heiskanen. He's a big, good-skating, 200-foot defenseman, and I feel like that's what I am. Matthew Schaefer: I like to model my game after Cale Makar, so hopefully a Cale Makar. But I want to be a two-way defenseman and kind of just play my game. … I feel like I look at Makar for a lot of things with his skating ability and hockey IQ, but I feel like Heiskanen's another one and I just want to be a two-way defenseman that can play both offense and defense when needed. There's maybe not one guy; there's a lot of guys you watch and take from each of their games. Simon Wang: I think there's a lot of guys that are tall and mobile with the wingspan: (Colton) Parayko, (Victor) Hedman, (Brandon) Carlo. Jack Ivankovic: I like Juuse Saros. He's not a big goalie, but he's one of the best goalies in the world. He's definitely the big one for me. I take pride in my skating and work on it all the time, and I watch his skating and watch him play and think, 'I can do that.' He wins games for his team, and that's something I want to do at the next level. Joshua Ravensbergen: I think maybe one day become something like a (Jake) Oettinger. He's big like me, he uses his size well, and I think there's a reality where I can become something like that. (Illustration: Dan Goldfarb / The Athletic; photos of Matthew Tkachuk, Brady Martin and Porter Martone: Brian Babineau/NHLI, Kevin Sousa, Michael Miller/ISI Photos / Getty Images)