Norfolk Admirals‘ 2nd year Russian-born left wing Denis Smirnov(8) is looking to up his totals from his 1st year with the team, when he scored 9 goals and 12 assists in 39 ECHL games.
The 5’9″ 185 lbs. forward already has 7 goals and 9 assists, so things are looking quite positive.
He came over pretty quickly to play youth hockey, displaying amazing numbers to get drafted into juniors and wins the USHL Clark Cup Championship in his 1st of 3 years in the league.
Penn State University Nittany Lions‘ 4-year scorer took a couple of years after college hockey through COVID to establish his game as a pro.
He is an exciting player to watch.
In 51 games, he scores 14 goals and 32 asssists with a +3 rating to earn an easy invite back in an Admirals‘ jersey for 2024/2025.
He’s a high scoring free agent heading into 2025/2026 and a powerhouse team, Toledo Walleye step in to offer him a 1-year deal.
In a league high 54 games, he scores 15 goals and 20 assists, but gets a trade to Greenville Swamp Rabbits, where he will very likely just continue.
He scores 2 goals and 3 assists in 13 games that Cleveland Monsters are eyeing and sign him to a 2-way deal that has him going to new affiliate Wheeling Nailers for 2026/2027.
Providence Capitals‘ 2nd year left wing Alex Herron(24) plays a junior best 44 EHL games, scoring 4 goals and 6 assists last season and takes it to a 2026/2027 commit at Worcester State University Lancers.
The 6’1″ 195 lbs. forward played himself up quickly from a 3-game EHLP start.
From McCandless, PA, the 21-year looks to play well and score in MASCAC.
Northeastern University Huskies‘ Swedish-born junior defenseman Joel Kjellberg(5) came in after 2 years at Arizona State University Sun Devils.
The 6′ 190 lbs. blue liner scored 2 goals and 9 assists last season.
He had a recently successful 2nd USHL frames, grabbing 26 assists in 59 games.
Coming in from youth hockey and some juniors back home, he may be ready for a little more contact of Hockey East in 2026/2027 and has 2 assists in 3 games already.
Post University Eagles‘ sophomore defenseman Aidan Canady(44) takes a college hockey scoring best, 5 goals and freshman season tying 15 assists for 20 points in 29 games last season into the transfer portal to maybe skate a little more serious at Trine University Thunder in 2026/2027.
The 6’1″ 205 lbs. blue liner did 2 years USPHL Premier scoring extremely well.
From Schaumburg, IL, the 22-year old should perform better at his new school.
Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs‘ 2nd year defenseman Benjamin Lindberg(29) was twice loaned up to the ECHL and in 3 games to end the 2025/2026 with Tahoe Lake Monsters scored 1 assist in with a +3 rating.
The 6’3″ 194 lbs. blue liner turned pro, leaving 1 year on the table at Morrisville State College Mustangs, but was also not playing a full slate in any frame.
From East Aurora, NY, the 26-year old we feel will play himself up on a more permanent basis.
He is a bit late of a signing with Fort Wayne Komets for 2026/2027.
New Hampshire Avalanche 2nd year right wing Danny Storella(11) takes exceedingly good 2-year EHL scoring, junior bests 38 assists and 66 points in 48 games last season to his lucky 2026/2027 commit, Albertus Magnus College Falcons.
The 6′ 205 lbs. forward had 30 goals in his 1st junior frame.
From Stoneham, MA, the 21-year old scored really well in USHS-Prep at Tilton School.
He will score well in NEHC.
South Shore Kings‘ 1st year right wing Griffin Bucci(19) takes 12 goals and 18 assists in 49 USPHL/NCDC games to a 2026/2027 commit at Babson College Beavers.
The 6′ 190 lbs. forward finished up scoring at USHS-Prep before juniors.
From Andover, MA, the 20-year old will compete well in Little East.
Express Hockey Club‘s 3rd year center, captain Nate Brissette(11) is looking to eclipse marks set last season, 19 goals and 52 assists in 44 EHL games.
The 5’8″ 170 lbs. forward has 3 goals and 17 assists in 9 games so far this season.
From Wakefield, MA the 20-year old is an excellent 2027/2028 commit to Curry College Colonels.
University Of New Hampshire Wildcats‘ graduate defenseman Luke Reid(16) signs a 1st pro deal with Adirondack Thunder and in 6 ECHL games had 1 goal and 1 assist with a +3 rating to get him loaned up to affiliate Utica Comets for 5 AHL games, where he got himself 2 assists and a +1 rating.
The 6’1″ 200 lbs. blue liner from Warman, SK did 1 BCHL year before recording identical points in 2 USHL seasons for Chicago Steel before college.
He is 23-years old and was a Nashville Predators‘ 6th round pick in 2020 (#166 overall), but not sign and will need a new rookie deal for 2025/2026, we think will be at the upper level, 2-way.
After his 2 game loan up, he gets to claim a 1-year deal to return to the Comets for 2025/2026, his rookie frame.
He spends the season in the lower league, scoring 3 goals and 16 assists with a +7 rating, he takes to a new contract for 2026/2027 with rivals Reading Royals.
As the new season starts to roll in, he signs a new deal with parent club, Lehigh Valley Phantoms to become an easy loan up.
Anna Maria College AMCATS‘ sophomore left wing Dylan McElhinny(23) had a college hockey best 10 assists and 15 points last year that he is forced to find a new school for 2026/2027, his junior year and signs up at Stevenson University Mustangs.
The 6’3″ 190 lbs. forward had junior success mostly in 2 NOJHL seasons.
From Pittsburgh, PA, the 23-year old will likely score even better at his new school.
