-- The Nashville Predators college prospects get their season underway this weekend, and one of the team’s two 2012 second rounders shines out west in this week’s edition of the prospect report --

The collegiate ranks officially start this weekend, with four of Nashville’s five NCAA prospects playing weekend sets. Out west, Zach Budish and the No. 2-ranked Minnesota Golden Gophers host the Michigan State Spartans in what will become a Big Ten conference rivalry when that league starts up next season. Moving eastward, Chase Balisy’s Western Michigan Broncos welcome St. Lawrence to Lawson Arena, while Nick Oliver and the St. Cloud State Huskies visit University of New Hampshire. In the lone intra-conference match-up among Preds prospects, Garrett Noonan’s Boston University Terriers host Providence College.

This week’s prospect spotlight shines on Nashville’s second pick in last June’s draft, Kelowna Rockets captain Colton Sissons. The 6-1, 194-pound right wing is in the midst of a five-game point streak that seen him post four goals and seven assists to move into a tie for fourth in WHL points (12) and assists (8) in eight games. And despite his team posting a 3-4-1 record, the North Vancouver native is tied for fifth in Western Hockey League plus/minus rating (+7). The Rockets play back-to-back games at Victoria this weekend on Friday and Saturday.