The amount of NCAA Hockey alumni has continued to grow in the NHL as college programs annually churn out high-end talent and future NHL all-stars.

Former collegiate players are sprinkled across the NHL’s 31 clubs, including — but certainly not limited to — Johnny Gaudreau, Blake Wheeler, Jonathan Toews, and Phil Kessel.

Even more players are ready to take the next step in 2018-19 as they enter their rookie seasons for their respective teams following NCAA success. Below, FloHockey has the top seven players to watch for as they transition from the NCAA to the NHL.

1. Casey Mittelstadt | Buffalo Sabres | C

Drafted eighth overall in 2017 by the Sabres, Mittelstadt is advertised as a dynamic center whose vision, hands, and overall game keep up with his creativity and work ethic.

The 19-year-old posted 30 points (11 goals, 19 assists) in 34 games with the University of Minnesota during his freshman season before turning pro. Upon joining the Sabres at the end of the 2017-18 season, he posted another goal and five points in six games.

He’s beefed up over the summer and ready to compete for the No. 2 center role following the trade of Ryan O’Reilly to St. Louis. Mittelstadt would be in prime position to add to the offense with a remade top-six in Buffalo.

2. Ryan Donato | Boston Bruins | LW

Everywhere Donato played last season, he performed. He finished fourth in points-per-game in the NCAA with 43 points (26 G, 17 A) in just 29 games for Harvard University. He added another six points (5 G, 1 A) in five games with Team USA at the Olympics.

Then he joined the Bruins, scoring another five goals and nine points in 12 games, all the while continuing to work on his degree from Harvard. He’s picked up where he left off with a strong showing at the annual Prospects Challenge.

Ryan Donato leads Bruin prospects past Pittsburgh @GlobeKPD https://t.co/Svojz09D1c via @BostonGlobe

— Kevin Paul Dupont (@GlobeKPD) September 8, 2018

Drafted 56th overall in 2014, the 22-year-old is in early discussion as the 2019 Calder Trophy winner with a deep, strong Boston team around him and a full summer to prepare.

3. Jordan Greenway | Minnesota Wild | LW

Greenway, 21, built on his totals in each of his three years with Boston University, capping off his career with 92 points (28 G, 64 A) in 112 games. As a junior, Greenway posted 13 goals and 22 assists for 35 points in 36 games, career highs in each offensive category.

He had rough transitions during the year, scoring just one goal in five games with Team USA at the Olympics and then a single assist in six games with the Wild before adding a goal and an assist in five playoff games.

The 50th overall pick in 2015 has an NHL frame, listed at 6-foot-6 and 227 pounds, and was eager heading into the Traverse City Prospects Tournament.

“I came into this tournament with a positive outlook,” Greenway told Tom Gulitti of NHL.com. “It will allow me to kind of get some kinks out from summer and really sharpen up my game for main camp.”

4. Brady Tkachuk | Ottawa Senators | LW

Drafted fourth overall this past June, Tkachuk took some time to decide between returning to Boston University and signing his entry-level deal with Ottawa. The 18-year-old finally put ink to paper, joining the Senators for the 2018-19 campaign.

Tkachuk, the son of Hall-of-Famer Keith and brother to Calgary Flames forward, Matthew, brings a gritty, offensive-minded game backed by a 6-3, 192-pound body. As a freshman at BU, Tkachuk scored eight goals and 31 points in 40 games.

He will see a lot of playing time on an Ottawa team expected to be a bottom-dweller with a lot of fresh, young faces. A strong start to the season could be the confidence builder he needs on a lowly team.

5. Adam Gaudette | Vancouver Canucks | C

Gaudette was awarded the Hobey Baker Trophy as the top collegiate player in 2017-18. Drafted in the fifth round (149th overall) in 2015, the 21-year-old has developed into what an organization hopes every late-round draft pick can be.

Gaudette led the NCAA with 30 goals and 60 points in 38 games for Northeastern University. He failed to record a point in five games with the Canucks last season, but still went plus-2 and kept up with the task.

Elite Prospects offers this on the center: “Offensively, there is a lot of flare to his game as he doesn't give the opposition a lot of time to react; gets shots off quickly and thinks ahead when making plays.”

He’ll turn 22 at the start of the NHL season and while the Canucks have a plethora of forwards entering training camp, the competition with other unproven players could be what Gaudette needs to stick out for a roster spot.

6. Henrik Borgström | Florida Panthers | C

Borgström is in a similar situation as Gaudette: The Panthers enter training camp with a lot of NHL players, both locks and fringe. Borgström finished fourth in NCAA scoring with 52 points (23 G, 29 A) in 40 games for Denver University in his sophomore season before inking is entry-level deal with Florida.

Borgström was drafted 23rd overall in 2016 and is an electric offensive player with slick hands and a great shot. Listed at 6-3, the 21-year-old has the talent to crack the Panthers lineup and consequently give them some of the best depth in the league.

Henrik Borgstrom: By the Numbers

Read » https://t.co/Qg2igM01RV pic.twitter.com/cbNbA0aS2T

— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) March 27, 2018

He’s another very early candidate for the Calder Trophy given his skill, quality of line mates, and college numbers.

7. Dylan Sikura | Chicago Blackhawks | LW

Sikura was drafted in the sixth round (178th overall) in 2014 and finished sixth and third in each of the past two NCAA seasons, respectively. He’s accumulated 43 goals and 111 points in 73 games over that span.

The Blackhawks lack the depth that made them annual contenders and Stanley Cup Champions in 2010, 2013, and 2015, but Sikura could turn that around. The 23-year-old is a strong two-way player with considerable upside.

Playing with the likes of Toews, Patrick Kane, Brandon Saad, and Alex DeBrincat in the top-six Sikura will be in prime position to unleash his offense and help the Blackhawks be a better team.

Have a question or a comment for Jacob Messing? You can find him on Twitter @Jacob_Messing.