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New Jersey Devils prospect Samu Salminen is not returning to college hockey, New Jersey Hockey Now has learned. Salminen’s agent, Markus Lehto, confirmed that the Devils prospect will not head back to the University of Denver for a fifth year after wrapping up his fourth NCAA season. Salminen is now between turning pro in North America or returning to Europe, where he came up through Jokerit’s junior ranks in Finland. Salminen’s options to turn pro in North America are on a two-way contract that would put him with the Utica Comets or an AHL deal with the Comets similar to fellow prospect Charlie Leddy. Following the report that Salminen did not file the necessary paperwork by August 15th to become a free agent, the Devils forward prospect remains in New Jersey’s organization on their reserve list. The Devils took Salminen in the third round, 68th overall, at the 2021 NHL Draft. Back then he was a 6-foot-2 left-shot forward from Helsinki who had already shown he could produce at a high level and handle leadership roles. Salminen now stands at 6-foot-3 and 205-lbs. Salminen captained Finland at the 2021 U18 World Championship, putting up seven goals and two assists in seven games while winning faceoffs at a tournament-best 70.2 percent. At Connecticut he posted 17 points in each of his first two college seasons (9-8-17 in 27 games as a freshman, then 7-10-17 in 35 games). After transferring to Denver the production climbed. In 2024-25 he recorded 10 goals and 18 assists for 28 points in 44 games with a plus-21 rating. This past season, wearing an “A” as alternate captain, he finished with career highs of 11 goals and 18 assists for 29 points in 43 games and a plus-22. Across four NCAA years that adds up to 37 goals and 54 assists for 91 points in 149 games. Salminen helped Denver win the 2026 national championship, a 2-1 victory over Wisconsin that gave the Pioneers their third title in five years and a record 11th overall. He also earned NCHC Academic All-Conference and Distinguished Scholar-Athlete honors in 2024-25. Before college he dominated in the Jokerit system. As an alternate captain in the shortened 2020-21 U20 season he scored 26 points in 17 games. The following year, as captain, he put up 48 points (19 goals, 29 assists) in 44 games and made the league’s first all-star team. Scouts have always liked his hockey sense, two-way reliability, and ability to win draws, although he’s developed more as a winger in recent years. He finds soft ice, finishes chances, and plays a responsible game at both ends. Those qualities would give the Comets a ready-made forward as the club continues reshaping its roster after missing the playoffs three straight seasons.