Welcome back to the Vancouver Canucks Prospects Report. As the NHL club navigates a difficult transitional season at the bottom of the standings, our eyes naturally shift toward the future. While the big club in Vancouver has already integrated prospects like Tom Willander and Max Sasson into the everyday lineup, the collegiate pipeline remains a vital source of depth and potential impact talent.
The 2026 NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Championship field has officially been set. For Canucks fans, this tournament offers a high-stakes look at two specific late-round finds who have outperformed their draft slots this season. With the Frozen Four slated for Las Vegas in April, here is how the bracket shakes out for the Vancouver faithful.
Anthony Romani and Michigan State’s Championship Pursuit
The headline act for the Canucks in this year’s tournament is Anthony Romani. Since being selected in the sixth round of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, the forward has seen his stock rise significantly. Currently suiting up for Michigan State, Romani has transitioned seamlessly into the college game, emerging as a top-five producer for a Spartans squad that has been a powerhouse in the Big Ten all year.
Michigan State enters the Worcester Regional as a heavy hitter despite a narrow loss in their conference semifinals. Romani’s role has evolved from a depth scoring option into a legitimate dual-threat winger. He has a knack for finding soft ice and possesses a release that has challenged veteran NCAA goaltenders.
Related: Canucks Should Sign Anthony Romani This Season
The Spartans open their tournament against UConn on Thursday, March 26. For Romani, this is more than just a quest for a national title; it is a showcase for the Canucks management group. There is already chatter that once Michigan State’s season concludes, Romani could be a prime candidate to sign an entry-level deal and join the Abbotsford Canucks. His ability to drive play at the collegiate level suggests he may not have much left to prove in the amateur ranks.
Matthew Lansing: The Quinnipiac Development Project
Further down the bracket in the Sioux Falls Regional, 2025 seventh-round pick Matthew Lansing is making his tournament debut with Quinnipiac University. When the Canucks took a flyer on Lansing late in the draft, the consensus was that he would be a long-term prospect — a player who would need three or four years of physical development.
However, Lansing’s freshman year has been a pleasant surprise. Playing for a disciplined, structured program like Quinnipiac has forced the young forward to refine his defensive details and puck-management skills. While he isn’t the primary offensive engine for the Bobcats yet, he has provided valuable secondary scoring and reliable minutes in high-pressure situations.
Quinnipiac faces a tough opening match against Providence on March 26. Regardless of the outcome, the organization is reportedly very pleased with Lansing’s trajectory. Expect him to return to school next year in a heightened role, but his inclusion in the tournament this early in his career is a testament to his work ethic and the Canucks’ scouting staff finding value in the later rounds.
Scouting the 2026 NHL Draft Elite
Because the Canucks find themselves at the bottom of the NHL standings, this tournament serves a dual purpose: tracking current prospects and scouting future ones. The organization currently holds high odds for a top-three selection in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, and many of the projected blue-chip talents are on display this weekend.
Fans should keep a close eye on Gavin McKenna and Penn State as they take on Minnesota-Duluth. McKenna is widely considered a franchise-altering talent who could immediately change the timeline of the Vancouver rebuild. Additionally, Keaton Verhoeff will be anchoring the blue line for North Dakota against Merrimack. These are the types of high-ceiling players that could soon join the likes of Willander and Zeev Buium in the Canucks’ young core.
The road to the Frozen Four begins now. For a Vancouver fan base looking for a silver lining, the next three weeks of college hockey will provide plenty of reason for optimism.
2026 NCAA Tournament Schedule & Matchups
All times are listed in Pacific Time (PT).
Thursday, March 26 (Regional Semifinals)
- Worcester Regional: Michigan State (Romani) vs. UConn – 10:30 AM
- Sioux Falls Regional: Providence vs. Quinnipiac (Lansing) – 2:00 PM
- Worcester Regional: Dartmouth vs. Wisconsin – 2:00 PM
- Sioux Falls Regional: North Dakota (Verhoeff) vs. Merrimack – 5:30 PM
Friday, March 27 (Regional Semifinals)
- Loveland Regional: Western Michigan vs. Minnesota State – 11:30 AM
- Albany Regional: Michigan vs. Bentley – 2:30 PM
- Loveland Regional: Denver vs. Cornell – 3:00 PM
- Albany Regional: Minnesota-Duluth vs. Penn State (McKenna) – 6:00 PM
Regional Finals
- Worcester & Sioux Falls: Saturday, March 28 (Times TBD)
- Albany & Loveland: Sunday, March 29 (Times TBD)
Frozen Four (Las Vegas, NV)
- National Semifinals: Thursday, April 9
- National Championship: Saturday, April 11
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