Prospect Update: Sam Colangelo

By Thomas Harrington

Anaheim’s second round pick from 2020, forward Sam Colangelo, completed his third season of NCAA hockey at Northeastern University.

As a junior, Colangelo played in 35 games and scored nine goals and 24 points, falling from the 12 goals and 27 points he recorded as a sophomore. He finished fifth on the team in goals and assists and fourth in points, while putting 84 shots on net. Colangelo was one of 10 players to appear in every game for Northeastern. He matched his career high for points in a game with three in early November.

I had three expectations for Colangelo last year, but he only hit one of them. First, I wanted him to play in every game, and he played in all 35. Second, I wanted him to break the 15 goal and 30 point marks. He was close to those marks as a sophomore, and if he played in more games, I figured that he’d be able to hit those marks. He ended up falling back a little bit this past season instead. Finally, and this one was the most difficult to hit, for him to be his team’s leading scorer. Instead, he had a fine season and finished fourth on the team, 14 points behind the leader Aidan McDonough.

Colangelo will be leaving Northeastern for his senior year and transferring to Western Michigan University. Colangelo is the second Anaheim prospect in as many years to transfer to Western Michigan, as Jack Perbix did last year as well. However, he has since transferred again, this time to Northern Michigan University, so the two Anaheim prospects won’t get a chance to play together.

As a senior, a lot will be expected out of Colangelo, but it may also take some time for him to fit in with his new teammates. My first expectation for him is to match his offensive totals from his sophomore year. Second, I want him to appear in every game for Western Michigan. For a senior who puts up good numbers, that usually wouldn’t be much of an issue. But, as the new face on the team, there’s always the chance that it takes a while for him to click with the team and end up sitting for a game or two as a result. If he plays in every game, it’ll show how well he’s been able to fit in with his new team.

Colangelo has a ways to go before we see him in the NHL. He’s got a final year of NCAA hockey ahead of him, and then he’ll likely spend some time in San Diego before the Ducks call him up. However, if he can come in and have a great senior year, the Ducks could consider signing him and giving him a taste of the NHL at the end of this coming season, similar to what they did for Jackson LaCombe this past year.

Colangelo is currently unsigned, and the Ducks hold his rights until next summer. If he does sign, it’ll be to a standard entry-level contract. However, if he has a poor senior year, the Ducks could choose to not sign him, or he could decide to not sign. Then he’d become an unrestricted free agent and be able to sign with who he likes in August 2024.

The next prospect update will be on defenseman Ian Moore.

Related Articles:

Graduated Prospect: Mason McTavish

Prospect Update: Noah Warren

Prospect Update: Vyacheslav Buteyets

Prospect Update: Blake McLaughlin

Prospect Update: William Francis

Prospect Update: Artyom Galimov

Listen to our show by visiting us at Podomatic, Rumble, Spreaker, or YouTube.

Support us by becoming a DucksNPucks patron! Members can win game tickets, Ducks gear, and more!

Want to start your sports media career? Then Join The Puck Network!

DucksNPucks is part of The Puck Network, which covers the entire NHL. There are openings to cover your favorite team(s) and earn school credits! If you are interested, then apply by filling out the form here: Join Our Team. What are you waiting for? Start your sports media career TODAY!

August 5th, 2023