Penn State’s incoming freshman forward Evan Barratt is one of 29 current or soon-to-be NCAA players at this week’s NHL Combine. The NHL Draft is slated for June 23-24 at the United Center in Chicago and features a total of 103 top prospects.
In total eight players from the Big Ten are taking part of this week’s interview and workout process. Barrett is scheduled to do his physical testing this Saturday at 2:00 PM.
Just 19 college hockey programs in total are represented at the combine, the interview process of the combine began on Monday.
Barratt most recently played for the US National U-18 team where he tallied 56 points in 63 games. At the World Juniors Championship the 5-foot-11 forward picked up six points in seven games with five assists and a goal. The US U-18 would go on to win the tournament this past April.
A Bristol, PA native, Barratt won’t be too far from home this Fall.
“It was an easy decision,” Barratt told the Team USA Hockey website. “It is about a 3-hour drive from home. The coaching staff is phenomenal. They are great people. When I went on my visit, I felt right at home. The facility and academics are good.’
Barrett is currently projected in the Top 60 of next month’s draft. A player who is drafted by an NHL team doesn’t not become NCAA ineligible unless or until he signs a contract. The NHL Draft for most prospects selected is a matter of future rights similar to baseball, rather than the near instant life changes that follow an NFL or NBA selection.
The NHL Draft is held each year for players who are 18-20 years old. If undrafted following that span, players effectively become free agents, open to signing a deal with any team that approaches them.
