DUCKS: Prospect spotlight: Sam Colangelo

ANAHEIM, Calif. — The end of the regular season saw the Ducks prepare for a long offseason ahead, but in the final handful of games, prospect winger Sam Colangelo had the opportunity to make his first NHL marks after a high-scoring NCAA season with Western Michigan University.

The senior tallied 24 goals and 19 assists in 38 games played with the Broncos during the 2023-24 NCAA season, which earned the attention of the Anaheim organization that had picked him back in 2020 with the No. 36 overall pick in the NHL Entry Draft.

Colangelo had originally signed on a professional tryout with the Ducks’ American Hockey League affiliate San Diego Gulls following the end of his collegiate season, where he immediately made an impact. On top of posting two points in his first AHL game, he continued his point-per-game trajectory over the next few, scoring a goal and adding three helpers in four total appearances.

Given that San Diego was well out of the playoff race and Colangelo was on a hot streak, the Ducks had little reason to keep him in the AHL. The 22-year-old earned a two-year entry-level deal with the Ducks just 10 days after beginning his professional tryout. From there, he suited up in the Ducks’ final three regular season games and even lit the lamp in his NHL debut against Calgary.

Colangelo’s path to the NHL saw him play for a handful of programs and adapt well to multiple changes of situation. His junior career began with the United States Hockey League’s Chicago Steel, where he put scouts on notice in his second campaign. During the 2019-20 USHL season, the Stoneham, Massachusetts native registered 58 points on 28 goals and 30 assists in 44 games to catch the eye of then-Ducks general manager Bob Murray early in the second round of the 2020 draft.

Colangelo then took the NCAA route in further developing his game. He spent three seasons with Northeastern University, truly breaking out during his sophomore and junior years. He recorded at least 20 points in both seasons following a shortened freshman campaign. Wanting a change of scenery, Colangelo set his sights on Western Michigan, which ended up being a wise choice for his final collegiate season.

At the international level, he also represented Team USA in the 2021 World Junior Championship, scoring one goal in seven games alongside future NHL teammates Trevor Zegras and Jackson LaCombe en route to the country’s fifth gold medal.

Standing 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, the right-handed forward is constantly goal-hungry. While not an elite skater by any means, Colangelo’s NHL-caliber build and accurate eye give him an edge on weaker defenders. He’s also quick with his hands and is efficient with and without the puck.

Colangelo’s strongest asset, however, is his awareness. He can do it all in the offensive zone, from helping his teammates by dishing accurate passes or getting to the slot himself to develop dangerous chances. His frame also allows him to play the puck on the boards or in the open ice and he’s always a threat when handling it. His game doesn’t require him to do too much or make excessive plays; and he’s not afraid to leave it all on the ice to help his team succeed.

Once his skating ability adapts to the professional level, Colangelo will have the capacity to be a full attacking force. His goal-scoring prowess already makes him notable, but crispier mobility could elevate his game to unseen heights.

Colangelo is one of the many stout forward prospects in the Ducks’ deep and polished prospect pipeline. Now on an entry-level deal, he’ll fight for a roster spot among the other youngsters once the season turns around again into what the Ducks hope will be a more competitive 2024-25 campaign.