Will Horcoff breaks down his NCAA breakout season and the NHL stars he models his game after
Will Horcoff was a first-round pick of the Penguins in 2025/26, and now he's opened up on some major topics after a red-hot start to his NCAA season.
The Pittsburgh Penguins had not one, not two but three picks in the first-round of the 2025 NHL Draft, and with the third of those picks, they acquired talented Michigan native Will Horcoff.
The pick was seen as a bit of a reach by some, but the organization are thrilled with landing the 18-year old, who has been off to a great start at Michigan this season, posting 18 goals and 26 points through his first 18 games played.
Horcoff opens up on his season and his NHL inspirations
Recently, TribLIVE sat down with the talented prospect as they discussed many different topics, as he reveals that a growth spurt and his body adjusting to that have allowed him to get off to such a hot start in 2025/26.
I had a good summer filling in my frame more. The past three years, I grew four or five inches. My body just needed some catching up to do. I did a lot of that this summer. I just feel like more of a complete player out there this season compared to last. I can do what I want with the puck more than I could last year.
In the midst of his breakout season, Horcoff reveals the type of player he wants to be at the next level, naming both Mikko Rantanen and Brady Tkachuk as players he models his game after.
I'd say I'm more of a skilled power forward. I think I still play that power forward aspect of getting to the net, playing hard, physical, mean, winning battles. But I also think there's skill there. I also think I have good hockey sense. I do a good job on the walls in the (defensive) zone and just trying to make plays in the neutral zone as well. And finding open ice in the offensive zone.
I try to model my game after big guys like (Dallas Stars forward) Mikko Rantanen, I think is a good one. Or maybe like a (Ottawa Senators forward) Brady Tkachuk.
I try to model my game after big guys like (Dallas Stars forward) Mikko Rantanen, I think is a good one. Or maybe like a (Ottawa Senators forward) Brady Tkachuk.
If the Penguins can get a player that's anywhere near that level on top of the young prospect group they already have, the future looks incredibly bright, and if Horcoff can continue this trajectory, he may be the best of the Penguins prospects.
Previously on HockeyUnplugged
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