5th year center John Stevens(16) has maybe started to find his footing with new team Abbottsford Canucks, scoring 3 goals and 3 assists in 22 AHL games.
He signed a one-year, two-way NHL deal with parent club, Vancouver Canucks after producing well for former affiliate Utica Comets in the weird 2020/2021 frame.
The 6’3″ 204 lbs. forward had his best season as a rookie with 19 points in 66 games for Bridgeport Sound Tigers, while under a 2-year entry level deal to New York Islanders.
He was a 3-time 20+ point player and once, as a junior 30+ for Northeastern University Huskies was maybe some of his highs, but we think the 27-year old is ready to start connecting at a higher clip.
We think the 27-year old scores an oddball recall in 2022 for his chance at the big league.
He may have not grabbed that recall, but he did run up a career best 19 goals and 24 assists with a +11 rating to secure a 2nd season under a major contract for the now 28-year old.
While he didn’t score a recall for his 6 goals and 13 assists in 43 games last season, he was still steady as she goes per usual on his playing style with a +5 rating to earn himself a 2-year minor league deal going forward.
After 4 seasons with Abbotsford Canucks and to win the 2025 Calder Cup, he is finally after 8 pro seasons heading off to try something new, signing in Liiga with Kiekko-Espoo for 2025/2026.
Sacred Heart University Pioneers‘ Belarus-born, graduate left wing Mark Cheremeta(24) signs a 1st pro deal for 2024/2025 with ECHL team, Kalamazoo Wings.
The 5’11” 185 lbs. forward also played 3 years at Ohio State University Buckeyes and as a freshman with Boston University Terriers.
He came over as a teenager and elevated his game as a junior player to connect big in his only UPSHL/NCDC frame before school.
At 25-years old, he should do pretty well in the league.
In his rookie frame, he grabs a 1st goal and 2 assists in 14 games, but is dished to Orlando Solar Bears, where he should strike better for points.
He bounces around as a 1st year player and ultimately ends up with Worcester Railers, where he is able to strike for 3 goals and 1 assist in 9 games with a +3 rating.
For 2025/2026, he going to head home to Belarusian Extraliga and signs with Dinamo Molodechno.
2nd year Norfolk Admirals‘ left wing Danny Katic(12) is flirting with new ECHL career highs or tying marks set as a rookie with 18 goals and 22 assists.
The tower of 6’3″ 220 lbs. forward has 6 goals and 10 assists in 36 games this frame with a +10 rating.
He did 3 years (1 no COVID) in the OHL with Saginaw Spirit, scoring well in his 3rd year.
From Porcupine, ON, the 23-year old did one year at University Of Toronto Varsity Blues after junior with point-per-game stats, but then turned pro.
On reassignment to Bloomington Bison, he scored 13 goals and 8 assists in just 24 games to earn a deal for 2025/2026 with Belleville Senators.
Boston Jr. Eagles‘ 1st year defenseman Gerald Cahill(8) commits to Oklahoma State University Cowboys for 2025/2026.
The 6’2″ 190 lbs. blue liner did only 1 season of EHL junior hockey after high school.
From Dorchester, MA, the 20-year old is branching out.
Saint Lawrence University Saints‘ senior captain defenseman Luc Salem(6) skated a college best 38 games last season before signing with Utah Grizzlies upon finishing up ECAC tournament play.
The 5’10” 181 lbs. blue liner had his best college year scoring as a junior, hitting 10 goals and 17 assists in 37 games with a +12 rating.
He was definitely able to load up assists through 2 NAHL junior seasons.
From Los Angeles, CA, the 24-year will need a new deal moving forward.
He signs with Indy Fuel for his rookie season, 2024/2025, where we think he will have good success.
With 3 assists in 16 games with a -3, he finds himself twice traded but is wanted by Kalamazoo Wings to help their d corps.
He doesn’t stay long, as he is dealt to Utah Grizzlies for 2025/2026.
Harvard University Crimson freshman defenseman John Fusco(3) decides he wants to venture off early, enters the transfer portal and will skate for Dartmouth College Big Green in his sophomore year.
A Toronto Maple Leafs‘ 7th round pick in the 2020 draft (#189 overall), he must have been unhappy skating a somewhat conservative 26 NCAA Division 1 games, scoring a goal and an assist.
He doesn’t really go far though, as he stays in ECAC hockey come 2022/2023.
The former Dexter Southfield School USHS-Prep senior captain played only one USHL campaign before heading to school.
At just 21-years old, he probably find more room to help grow his college hockey game.
He scores a new college best 11 goals and 10 assists as a senior with a +15 rating in 32 games, which he takes to a 1st pro contract with Hershey Bears for his rookie season, 2025/2026.
Norwich Sea Captains 2nd year left wing Chase Leivian(8) tied his 29 points he scored as an NA3HL 1st year player and commits to Franklin Pierce University Ravens for 2025/2026.
The 6′ 192 lbs. forward did all his youth hockey at home before juniors.
From Arvada, CO, the 21-year old should do well in NE10 play.
Clarkson University Golden Knights‘ graduate, captain defenseman Kaelan Taylor(5) signs a 1st pro deal with Tahoe Knight Monsters, which he extends to a full 1-year ECHL contract for his rookie frame, 2025/2026.
The 6’2″ 195 lbs. blue liner was never a big scorer with a college best 1 goal and 6 assists in 39 games last season with a +15 rating.
From Oceanside, CA, the 26-year old played 3 years of juniors before college and went through Los Angeles Jr. Kings‘ system.
Philadelphia Jr. Rebels‘ 1st year, Lithuanian-born left wing Linas Dedinas(12) commits to Albertus Magnus College Falcons for 2025/2026.
The 6’1″ 190 lbs. forward scored 4 goals and 11 assists last season.
After youth hockey at home and in Finland, he came over for at least a couple years of USHS-Prep.
The 20-year old should do well in college hockey.
Providence College Friars‘ junior defenseman Guillaume Richard(4) has 1 goal and 8 assists in 17 games, looking to eclipse earlier marks set as a freshman that saw him net 3 goals and 11 assists.
A Columbus Blue Jackets‘ 4th round pick in the 2021 (#101 overall), he did only 1 full USHL season of juniors with Tri-City Storm before committing to school.
The 6’2″ 179 lbs. blue liner from Quebec, QC easily plays his size.
Upon finishing up tournament play, he signs a 2-year deal to join the team who selected him a few years ago and reports to affiliate Cleveland Monsters on an ato, scoring 2 goals and 2 assists in 8 games, then 1 goal and 1 assist in 6 playoff matchups with a +4 rating.
He will be an easy look to pull up.
