Here’s a name to keep an eye on as we get closer and closer to the collegiate free agent period:
Brandon Tanev.
If the surname’s familiar, that’s because Brandon -- currently starring at Providence College -- is the younger brother of Vancouver defenseman Chris Tanev, who himself was an undrafted college free agent from the Rochester Institute of Technology.
Per TSN, “as many as a dozen” NHL clubs have shown interest in the 24-year-old Brandon, who scored the game-winning goal in Providence’s win over Boston College in last year’s Frozen Four championship game.
This year, Brandon, a forward, has eight goals and 18 points in 22 games, emerging as one of the Friars’ top scorers.
It’s not surprising clubs are keeping tabs on Brandon, given the success his older brother’s had at the NHL level.
After a brief stint at R.I.T, Chris emerged as one of Vancouver’s top blueliners and, last March, signed a five-year, $22.25 million extension with the club, one that will keep him with the Canucks through 2020.