Nick Abruzzese has been having quite the year. The captain of the Harvard Crimson took a brief sabbatical to go and play for Team USA in Beijing, he’s made the long list of Hobey Baker candidates, and now he is being recognized by the Ivy League as their Player of the Year.

The Ivy League is a small part of the NCAA, and generally, the quality of teams is a step down (outside of Harvard fielding some very competitive teams to keep up with the rest of Boston.) but that doesn’t take away from this being another great accolade for a player that is rocketing up the prospect list in Toronto.

Abruzzese is on the older side of Leafs’ prospects, as he’ll turn 23 before next season. He’s also attending Harvard so there’s a very real chance that he’ll want to return for his senior year and close out that coveted degree.

Harvard is presently ranked outside the USCHO rankings, so it’s likely that Abruzzese will not be participating in the Frozen Four, and that could lead to a decision coming soon, and if it does there is a chance that we’ll see Abruzzese getting in some work with the Marlies this year.

Abruzzese has 25 points (6 goals) in 22 games this season.

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