As dreams of NCAA championships end for some players around the country, professional hockey dreams begin. With time left to go in NHL and AHL seasons, the best NCAA players and high sought after prospects are turning pro to gain as much valuable experience as they can. One of them is UMass Minuteman Cole O'Hara, who is offically signed on and turning pro with a two year entry level deal.
Originally drafted by the Nashville Predators in the fourth round (114th overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft, O'Hara proved that his success in juniors, playing in the USHL for the Tri City Storm was just a taste of what was to come. He produced 110 points (39g-65a) in 107 games in the best junior league outside of the CHL. After being picked by the Predators he had the jump to NCAA hockey and continued his improvement.
The Ontario, Canada native played 32 games in his freshman season, scoring 17 points (4 goals and 13 assists) as he adjusted to the higher talent level. He didn't jump as high in his sophomore year as you might've anticipated, playing 37 games but struggling to the tune of just 18 points (7 goals and 11 assists) but his junior year jumped off of the page.
Our own Calvin Luckfield wrote about O'Hara's record setting points streak last month. At season's end O'Hara was snubbed of a Hobey Baker nomination despite being 9th in the nation in points, 11th in goals and 10th in assists. His season total of 51 points (22 goals and 29 assists) is one of the highest scoring seasons in UMass history. The 4th highest total in team history, is also the highest since Cale Makar's 49 point season in the 2018-19 season. He was also a finalist for Hockey East Player of the Year, and a member of the All Hockey East First team.
The next stop on the journey to the NHL for O'Hara will be joining the Milwaukee Admirals in the AHL.
O'Hara is a model of consistency and hard work
O'Hara falls into your modern NHL norms for a forward. He's 6'0" and around 185 pounds. His college coach was extremely complementary of the player on his way out. Kayla Gregory in the Massachusetts Daily Collegian referenced an earlier conversation. "“He’s complete,” head coach Greg Carvel said about O’Hara in November. “He does everything the right way. He’s consistent in everything he does, doesn’t say a word, just shows up, plays hard and makes plays.”
UMass was a talented team this year, with several players also signing with teams after their elimination from post season contention by Western Michigan. Lucas Mercuri, Dans Locmelis and Ryan Lautenbach all bolted for the professional ranks. Once he reports to Milwaukee he'll join two UMass alumns there as well. Defenseman Ryan Ufko and goalie Matt Murry are also Minutemen.
The adding of O'Hara is also a good sign that the Nashville Predators are able to continue to keep bringing in their college talent. Productive NCAA players can try to outlast their draft tenders and become free agents, but the Predators are showing that they can get their guys to sign and into the system. O'Hara is next prospect in the pool and we'll see how he looks in the AHL.
O'Hara joins fellow NCAA prospects Matthew Wood and Aiden Fink as steady risers in the Predators prospect pool. Wood is looking to make his NHL debut for the Predators before the current season comes to a close, while Fink is just now completing his sophomore season at Penn State and is a finalist for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award which goes to NCAA Division 1 Men's Ice Hockey's top player.