Los Angeles Kings‘ 2nd round pick in the 2022 draft (#51 overall), center Jack Hughes(27) is just starting his 2nd season at Northeastern University Huskies, where in 4 games this season already has 2 assists.
He scored decently as a freshman.
The 5’11” 170 lbs. forward played two solid frames with the USNTDP after playing high school at St. Sebastian’s Prep, scoring well enough at both levels.
It’s maybe a bit of a wonder as to why he went so high, but he does play like he always shows tremendous upside and is dad is the General Manager of Montreal Canadiens, Kent Hughes.
For his junior year, he has decided to switch up Hockey East affiliations and will head to Boston University Terriers, starting 2023/2024.
After a third 7 goal outing, to go along with 18 assists and a +9 rating, he signs a 1-year AHL deal with affiliate Ontario Reign for 2025/2026.
11 year defenseman Chad Ruhwedel(5) finds himself in a new uniform for the 1st time in 8 seasons.
He has been with Pittsburgh Penguins, but was just moved for a 4th round draft pick to New York Rangers, who saw use for him as they look to make a deep run in the playoffs.
The 5’11” 182 lbs. blue liner originally made his debut under NHL contract with Buffalo Sabres, getting his feet wet with a few games.
He did 3 seasons at UMass Lowell Riverhawks after 2 USHL stints for Sioux Falls Stampede.
From all places, San Diego, CA, the 33-year old’s best season was post-COVID, when he notched 4 goals and 9 assists and he also won the 2017, when he 1st moved to his 2nd team.
He plays 5 games in a Blueshirts‘ jersey and they want him to return for a full frame in 2024/2025.
For a 2nd straight season, he plays 5 games with the big club and records an assist.
He is really strong with affiliate Hartford Wolf Pack, scoring 3 goals and 15 assists in 50 games with a +12 rating.
Well, let’s see: 369 NHL games, 261 in the AHL and 12 pro seasons with 1 Stanley Cup is a good run and the 35 year old is ready to find something new to do with his ice time.
Idaho Steelheads‘ center Jack Becker(27) re-signs with the team after posting 12 goals and 21 assists in 49 ECHL games with a +14 rating as a rookie.
The 6’3″ 192 lbs. forward played 4 seasons at University Of Michigan Wolverines, reaching 10+ points in 3 of his years.
Originally a Boston Bruins‘ 7th round pick in the 2015 draft (#195 overall), he performed maybe a little better in 2 frames of USHL junior hockey for Sioux Falls Stampede.
From Dellwood, MN, the 26-year has found his gear and now is settling in.
In 33 games on loan to parent club, Texas Stars, he scores 5 goals and 2 assists and no points in 5 playoff games after virtual point-per-game numbers in the lower league.
He definitely will be back for 2024/2025 to earn more AHL time.
Appearing in 70 games last season, he scores 11 goals and 7 assists with a +2 rating, then adds 4 points (2-2) in 14 playoff matchups.
He is an easy return for 2025/2026 as a Stars.
Canisius College Golden Griffins‘ junior center Keaton Mastrodonato(8) is well on a pace to blow out his best numbers with a tying 10 goals and new high 12 assists and 22 points in only 19 NCAA Division 1 games with a +8 rating.
The 6′ 205 lbs. forward twice scored 20 goals, 22 and 32 helpers in juniors for Alberni Valley Bulldogs of the BCHL before committing to school.
He should be in contention for the Hobey Baker after this campaign, as he was from scoring last year.
The 21-year old, undrafted prospect from Powell River, BC is going to be an interesting watch going forward.
As the natural captain in his senior year, helping push the team to the 2023 Atlantic Hockey Championship, he managed a college career best 16 goals and 20 assists.
Upon finishing up, he decides to go pro, signing an ato with Texas Stars, where the sizable pivot could find room to score.
He played 2 games to finish up the frame and impresses the Cedar Park club enough to sign him up for an official rookie run in 2023/2024.
In 48 games with affiliate Idaho Steelheads, he scores 18 goals and 24 assists and gets 4 goals in the AHL through 19 appearances, but for 2024/2025, he heads to Colorado Eagles, where we think he will strike for better.
Ontario Reign spot what he did for Utah Grizzlies with 19 goals and 30 assists in 53 ECHL games and he gets signed to a 1-year deal for 2025/2026.
Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks‘ 2nd year defenseman Pierre LaRocque(28) recorded a junior best 2 goals and 16 assists with a +2 rating in 59 NAHL games last season.
The 6’1″ 190 lbs. blue liner from Chester Springs, PA plays in Philadelphia Flyers‘ youth hockey season all before juniors kicked in.
He commits to Bowdoin College Polar Bears for 2025/2026.
The 20-year old should do real well for the NESCAC team.
PAL Jr. Islanders‘ 2nd year center Arthur Mirante(11) takes some pretty big USPHL/NCDC numbers from last season, 19 goals and 27 assists in 42 games to a Connecticut College Camels commit for 2025/2026.
The big 6’4″ 194 lbs. 21-year old forward from Garden City, NJ will definitely help his new NESCAC team win some games.
Arizona State University Sun Devils‘ senior defenseman Ty Murchison(4) may not score all that much with twice having 7 point seasons as his college high, but left school a very accountable +17 rating to sign a 2-year NHL entry level deal with draft team (5th round, 2021, #158 overall) Philadelphia Flyers.
The 6’2″ 205 lbs. blue liner signed an ato to join affiliate Lehigh Valley Phantoms at the end of school, scoring a 1 AHL goal and 1 assist in 4 games with a +2 rating.
From Corona, CA, the 22-year old followed a good path through LA Kings‘ youth program to a 2 years of USNTDP before college.
Worcester Jr. Railers‘ 1st year center James Lyver(16) scores 9 goals and 9 assists in 28 USPHL/NCDC games last season, then adds another 1 goal and 3 assists in 6 playoffs.
The Grafton, MA native commits to Connecticut College Camels for 2025/2026.
He did settle on 1 junior team in a season until last year.
The 6′ 174 lbs. forward should be a good add to NESCAC.
After three seasons with close to home Kenai River Brown Bears, Alaska-native, big 6’4″ 205 lbs. forward Porter Schachle(79) commits to University Of Vermont but was recently traded closer to his future college home going to Danbury Hat Tricks, where in 6 games he has a goal and two assists.
He’s currently just about a point per game performer with 12 goals and 11 assists in 29 NAHL appearances this season, which goes along with career high marks set in 2019/2020, when he popped 15 goals and 22 assists in 46 games with a +14 and 127 penalty minutes, including more than a few fighting majors.
That number has been taken to a new level in the current calendar with 169 minutes spent in the box already and the season still has a bit of a ways to go.
The 20-year old should fit nicely into Hockey East style of play.
After 61 games in the division, the always tough to play against, undrafted Wasilla resident has decided to head home and skate for University Of Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves for 2023/2024.
He plays 2 seasons and decides to turn pro, signing a 1-year ECHL deal with Worcester Railers, where he will join his brother Tanner.
Clarkson University Golden Knights‘ junior defenseman Trey Taylor(2) finishes up last season with a college best 9 goals and 20 assists in 39 games with a +2 rating that catches the attention of Dallas Stars, who sign the unrestricted free agent to a 2-year NHL entry level deal.
The 6’2″ 190 lbs. blue liner did 1 outstanding USHL session before school.
From Richmond, BC, the 24-year old scored
