Habs prospect Brett Stapley ends college career with NCAA title

The center, who steadily improved over four years in Denver, scored in both the semifinal and final.

Author of the article:

Pat Hickey • Montreal Gazette

Publishing date:

Apr 10, 2022 • 20 minutes ago • 1 minute read • Join the conversation

Denver Pioneers forward Brett Stapley (7) celebrates the trophy after the Pioneers defeated the Minnesota State Mavericks in 2022 Frozen Four college ice hockey national championship game at TD Garden. Photo by Brian Fluharty /USA TODAY Sports

Stapley ended his collegiate career on a high note Saturday he helped the third-ranked Denver Pioneers to a 5-1 upset win over No. 1 Minnesota State in the NCAA Frozen Four final at Boston’s TD Garden.

An afterthought when the Canadiens drafted him in the seventh round (190th overall) in the 2018 draft, Stapley scored one of five third-period goals as Denver came back from a 1-0 deficit. It was Denver’s ninth NCAA title, including Michigan for the most championships.

Stapley also scored in the semifinal Thursday when Denver posted a 3-2 overtime win over a Michigan team that featured four of the top five picks in the 2021 entry draft. It was a missed opportunity for the Wolverines, because two of those prospects have signed NHL contracts since being eliminated.

No.2 overall pick Owen Power signed a three-year entry level deal with Buffalo and No. 5 pick Kent Johnson signed with Columbus. No. 3 pick Matty Beniers is negotiating with Seattle while No. 4 pick Luke Hughes will stay at Michigan for another season.

Stapley has shown steady improvement over his four years at Denver, The 5-foot-11, 187-pound center had 17 goals and 42 points in 40 games this season. If the Canadiens sign him, he will likely start in Laval on a professional tryout.

In other news from the Frozen Four, goaltender Devon Levi of Northeastern University via Dollard des Ormeaux was presented with two major awards. Levi, who took time out to represent Canada at the Beijing Olympics, won the Tim Taylor Award as newcomer of the year and the Mike Richter Award as top goaltender.