Sacred Heart University Pioneers‘ graduate right wing, assistant captain Kevin Lombardi(49) signed with Orlando Solar Bears upon finishing up and came mostly to life in 6 playoff games, with 1 goal and 1 assist and a +1 rating.
Rockford Icehogs are watching and sign the 6’5″ 229 lbs. forward to an AHL contract for 2024/2025.
Maybe not a huge scorer through college or junior hockey, we think as a pro the 25-year old finds the room he did in high school and youth hockey.
After a good rookie season, especially for affiliate Indy Fuel, he resigned to stay for 2025/2026.
He plays 10 times more games in the upper league as a 2nd year player, 37, scoring 12 goals and 9 assists with a +1 rating.
When he was ECHL demoted, he was more than a point-per-game player.
For 2026/2027, it’s a no-brainer he signs on for a 3rd frame as an Icehogs.
Plymouth State University Panthers‘ senior assistant captain defenseman Rider McCallum(55) turns pro after scoring pretty well through college, signing an ato with Greensboro Gargoyles.
The 6’1″ 174 lbs. forward had 2 successful AJHL junior frames before school.
From Langley, BC, the 24-year old has 1 assist in 5 ECHL games.
University Of Vermont Catamounts‘ big 6’5″ 216 lbs. senior forward Xavier Henry(20) signs a 1st pro deal with close by Maine Mariners.
He had a college best 4 goals and 6 assists as a junior.
From Scarborough, ON, the 24-year old came up through St. Andrews College CAHS, then 3 years with Chilliwack Chiefs in the BCHL.
Simon Fraser University Red Leafs‘ freshman right wing Greye Rampton(92) will head to the new D1 program at Maryville University Saints for 2026/2027, as his school suspends operations.
The 6’2″ 181 lbs. forward plays a power style and had 3 goals and 5 assists in 20 games last season.
From Chilliwack, BC, the 21-year old split his final junior season between BCHL and NAHL before heading to school.
Providence College Friars‘ sophomore right wing Bennett Schimek(52) takes a pair of good seasons with 19 goals and 18 assists over 73 games with a +15 rating to Arizona State University Sun Devils for his junior year.
The 6′ 186 lbs. forward played 2 successful junior frames for Sioux City Musketeers, winning the 2022 USHL Clark Cup Championship.
From Mendota Height, MN, the 21-year old will likely do well playing the independent schedule.
As senior captain, he scores a new college best 30 assists and 43 points that he takes to a 1st pro deal with Abbotsford Canucks for 2026/2027, but starts on an ato this season.
In 7 games, he has a 1st AHL goal and 4 assists.
Plymouth State University Panthers‘ senior goaltender Brandon Shantz(72) signs a 1st pro deal with Binghamton Black Bears.
The 5’11” 170 lbs. had outstanding outings as a sophomore and junior on good college teams.
From Southlake, TX, the 24-year old bounced around junior clubs before college hockey clicked.
University Of Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks‘ senior left wing Braden Birnie(4) scored a new college best 7 goals and 18 points in 33 games with a +2 rating last season.
The 6’3″ 192 lbs. forward signed a 1st pro contract with Rapid City Rush and has 2 goals and 4 assists in 9 ECHL games with a +1 rating.
He did 2 strong scoring seasons in Canadian junior leagues before heading to school.
From Weyburn, SK, the 24-year old plays hockey in his veins and gets loaned up to Abbotsford Canucks on a pto.
Niagara University Purple Eagles‘ assistant captain, junior right wing Declan McDonnell(26) had 12 goals and 14 assists in 37 games last season.
He came over from 2 USports‘ seasons at Saint Mary’s University Huskies, where he also scored well.
The 5’10” 185 lbs. forward has had a wild little run already, doing 4 years OHL, but going pro in the AHL the COVID campaign 2020/2021 with Syracuse Crunch.
Originally a Tampa Bay Lightning 7th round pick in the NHL draft (#217 overall) made sense for him to play with the affiliate.
From Buffalo, NY, the 24-year old played his youth hockey in the Jr. Sabres‘ system.
He foregoes a senior year and signs a pro deal with Worcester Railers.
In 9 games, he has a 1st ECHL goal and 2 assists.
Tulsa Oilers recently picked up 3rd year defenseman Connor Fedorek(2) for cash from Norfolk Admirals, where he spot most of his pro time.
In 6 games with his new team, he has an ECHL goal, but is a -7 to work on.
The 6′ 185 lbs. blue liner did 3 years at Ferris State University Bulldogs, but switched it up to go D3 as a senior at Utica University Pioneers and did extremely well with 4 goals and 21 assists.
From Bethel Park, PA, the 27-year old will likely settle with his new club.
RPI Engineers‘ senior left wing Luciano Wilson(22) looks set to record college career high numbers with 5 goals and 12 assists in 25 games this season.
The 6′ 181 lbs. forward had 7 goals and 12 assists as a sophomore at Minnesota State University Mavericks.
From Duncan, BC, he did 4 years of BCHL before committing to school.
He plays a power forward style, good to watch.
In 34 games, he would shoot a new best 8 goals and 14 assists that he takes a to 1st pro contract after tournament play is done with Orlando Solar Bears.
He has 2 ECHL goals and 3 assists in 9 games for a good start.
