Seamus Casey is ready to leap into the deep end of professional hockey.
During his end-of-season availability, New Jersey Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald stated that he believed the 46th overall choice in the 2022 NHL Draft was leaning toward turning pro, but stressed that Casey should not do so unless he was ready.
“And, to me, when you give up the rest of your college career, you should have more than two feet in the water. You must jump in right away and have a strong desire for this. If you are hesitant, it may not work. So we’ll give him as much time as he needs.
Casey gave up the last two years of his already remarkable NCAA hockey career at Michigan University when he signed with the Devils on Monday. He was a crucial player to the Wolverines’ back-to-back Frozen Four appearances, losing in overtime to the Quinnipiac Bobcats in the title game in 2023 and to Boston College in the semifinals this season.
During his freshman season, he shared the Wolverines with two other Devils draftees: Luke Hughes (2021 first round) and Ethan Edwards (2020 fourth round). He was chosen to the Big Ten All-Freshman team and had 29 points in 37 games.
Casey improved his skills in his sophomore year, securing a spot on the Wolverines’ top pairing after Hughes left for the NHL. His 45 points this season was third among all NCAA defensemen, trailing only future first-round pick Zeev Buium and Montreal Canadiens top prospect Lane Hutson. He also quarterbacked Michigan’s PP1. The team leads the NCAA in scoring, converting 33.6% of its powerplay opportunities.
The Athletic graded Casey as the Devils’ second-best prospect this season. Scott Wheeler highlighted both his offensive and defensive abilities:
“He appears easy out there at times, gliding in and out of coverage while incorporating delays and fakes with the puck to create space for himself or take it away from others. He’s fabulous.
Casey improved his skills in his sophomore year, securing a spot on the Wolverines’ top pairing after Hughes left for the NHL. His 45 points this season was third among all NCAA defensemen, trailing only future first-round pick Zeev Buium and Montreal Canadiens top prospect Lane Hutson. He also quarterbacked Michigan’s PP1. The team leads the NCAA in scoring, converting 33.6% of its powerplay opportunities.
The Athletic graded Casey as the Devils’ second-best prospect this season. Scott Wheeler highlighted both his offensive and defensive abilities:
“He appears easy out there at times, gliding in and out of coverage while incorporating delays and fakes with the puck to create space for himself or take it away from others. He’s fabulous.
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