Photo: Northeastern University freshman goaltender Ryan Ruck helped lead the Huskies to their first Hockey East championship since 1988 (courtesy of Richard T. Gagnon/Getty Images)
With just two Prospect Impressions left this year, we enter into the top 10 plays of the year.
Drake Caggiula recently signed with the Edmonton Oilers, but he left a lasting impression on North Dakota with a ridiculous shorthanded effort. Dylan Strome one-ups Caggiula by scoring a goal through an entire team, and others vie for a spot in the top 10 by making incredible plays!
10. Drake Caggiula
One part of the best line in college hockey this year, Drake Caggiula joined Brock Boeser (VAN) and Nick Schmaltz (CHI) on a number of plays this season. Dubbed as the “human highlight reel” by his teammates, Caggiula appeared a number of times on Prospect Impressions this season. Arguably the best of the bunch, watch as he turns an Alabama-Huntsville defender inside-out before dangling the goaltender, all while shorthanded.
Caggiula’s impressive progression as a player continued this year, as he worked to improve his game in his final year in search for an NHL contract. That hard work paid off, as he signed an entry-level deal with the Edmonton Oilers, who could very well provide him with an opportunity in the NHL right away.
UND’s Drake Caggiula with a highlight-reel goal vs Alabama Huntsville in the NCAA last night… pic.twitter.com/RU3zvSv3oC
— Robert Söderlind (@HockeyWebCast) January 3, 2016
FINAL: @UNDmhockey completes sweep of Alabama Huntsville with 4-1 win, extends win streak to 8. Caggiula 1G/1A. SOG: 38-15 UND #NCHCHockey
— The NCHC (@TheNCHC) January 3, 2016
Drake Caggiula signs with the Oilers pic.twitter.com/fQYV6PL1kK
— Hockey (@HockeyOlson) May 23, 2016
“I model my game after guys like Parise and Marchand. Smaller guys with skill and grit.” Caggiula #Oilers
— Jason Gregor (@JasonGregor) May 9, 2016
9. Tomas Soustal
In a move made famous by Michigan Wolverines forward Mike Legg, Tomas Soustal cradled the puck behind the net and whipped it in front on his stick blade to score one of the filthiest goals of the year. Soustal, one year removed from being a lower-line role player, stepped up in a big way and played with confidence this season. He finished off Kelowna’s first round playoff series in game seven against Kamloops, beating Connor Ingram in overtime.
Soustal will have a chance to be drafted later this month, and with his increased production, it wouldn’t be surprising to see a team take a chance on the durable power forward.
Tomas Soustal scores lacrosse style goal in the WHL pic.twitter.com/peTPfm3Woa
— Robert Söderlind (@HockeyWebCast) November 23, 2015
Tomas Soustal scores lacrosse type of goal from behind the net and Devante Stephens with a softy. @Kelowna_Rockets lead 4-1 after 2 periods.
— Regan Bartel (@Reganrant) November 21, 2015
Crazy to think this is @Kelowna_Rockets second straight Game 7 overtime of 2016 #WHL playoffs. Tomas Soustal scored to eliminate Kamloops.
— Larry Fisher (@LarryFisher_KDC) April 20, 2016
8. Dylan Strome
Four Niagara IceDogs, namely Jordan Maletta (CBJ), team captain Anthony DiFruscia, Aaron Haydon, and Alex Mikulovich couldn’t contain him. Former OHL Goaltender of the Year Alex Nedeljkovic (CAR) couldn’t do anything about it. Erie Otters forward Dylan Strome didn’t need any help, either. Taking on all-comers, look on as Strome carved up the IceDogs to score one of the best goals of the season from the OHL.
Back-to-back 100-point seasons create a difficult situation for the Arizona Coyotes next year. The second overall pick from the 2015 NHL Draft will force the issue and make the team consider keeping him in the NHL or sending him back to Erie, where it looks like he has nothing left to prove.
Dylan Strome broke the cheat code with this goal pic.twitter.com/u2O5hwok6V
— Hockey Instinct (@HockeyInstinct) February 29, 2016
What a goal Dylan Strome just scored for Erie vs Niagara. It was basically a 1 on 4 goal with sweet move to backhand to finish it. #ohl
— Shawn Roarke (@sroarke_nhl) February 28, 2016
Dylan Strome’s last 82 games in the OHL (playoffs included this year and last): 52 goals, 93 assists, 145 points.
— Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) May 8, 2016
7. Teemu Ramstedt
HIFK Helsinki forward Teemu Ramstedt picked a pretty good time to score this ridiculous between-the-legs goal. In the middle of the Liiga playoffs, Ramstedt broke down the wing and created an interesting way to score when a goaltender poke checks. The goal ended up being the game-winner, and HIFK would escape with a 2-1 series lead thanks to Ramstedt’s efforts.
Ramstedt finished with a career-high 52 points, and followed that up with an 18-point playoff campaign. Despite never receiving NHL attention, he has carved out a successful career in Finland for himself, including one Liiga championship.
HIFK’s Teemu Ramsted scores sick between-the-legs goal vs JYP in the Finnish Elite League playoffs (Liiga) pic.twitter.com/hKOBClzY48
— Robert Söderlind (@HockeyWebCast) April 4, 2016
What a goal @teemuramstedt Congrats! #HIFK
— Sami Sundström (@sami_sundstroem) March 18, 2016
6. Ryan Ruck
Prospect Impressions’ Save of the Year is here and Ryan Ruck is our culprit. I’m not sure if this save was made out of necessity, instinct, or a little bit of luck, but despite his intentions, this absolutely is the best save of the year and it comes from the very first highlight article of the season! Minnesota Golden Gophers captain Justin Kloos had a wide open net, that is until Ruck ditched his stick and used his blocker as a glove.
Ruck went on to finish his freshmen year with a 20-11-4 record, a 2.36 goals-against average and a .909 save percentage, including two shutouts. Northeastern finished the regular season as Hockey East champions, and it’s no wonder, especially when their goaltender invents new ways to make desperation saves.
Oh my god. Ryan Ruck early save of the year candidate after the blocker save for Northeastern @gopherstate https://t.co/soUdR4AbDA
— Jashvina Shah (@icehockeystick) October 24, 2015
WHAT A SAVE BY RYAN RUCK! With a right to left push he made a sensational stop #Beanpot
— Paul Ross (@RealPaulRoss) February 2, 2016
Stay tuned for the final Prospect Impressions of the season as we close out the Top 5 highlights of the year!
