Former Pittsburgh Penguins Prospect Headed For The NCAA After His OHL Career

Another overage OHL player has announced his commitment to play D1 NCAA hockey upon the completion of his junior career.

Flint Firebirds defenseman Nolan Collins has committed to play for Penn State University next season. He joins Guelph Storm star rookie forward Lev Katzin who is also committed to play for the Lions.

Collins, 20, was selected 167th overall in the sixth round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins. The team elected not to sign him to an entry-level or AHL contract, and he is currently a free agent.

The Whitby Wildcat alumnus has put together a solid junior career in the OHL, one that spans over four years from 2021-2025.

Originally drafted in the fifth round of the 2020 OHL Priority Selection by the Sudbury Wolves — where he played 193 games and collected 74 points — he was a part of the blockbuster summer trade between Sudbury and Flint, which saw him, Evan Konyen, and LA Kings prospect Matthew Mania traded.

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Collins, in his first year with the Firebirds, has recorded 17 points in 36 games. He is tied with Matthew Wang with the best plus/minus (+8) on the team.

The 6-foot-4, 215-pound right-shot defenseman is a very fluid skater who transports pucks up ice in transition well by activating his feet. He's not a highly creative distributor but he manages the puck well.

He also plays on edge and utilizes his size effectively to play a hard-nosed defensive game. In his three and a half seasons in the OHL, Collins has recorded over 50 penalty minutes every season.

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Collins has been out of the lineup for Flint since Jan. 8 as he is currently dealing with an injury.

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