University Of Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks‘ freshman defenseman Caleb MacDonald(9) will take a 31 games 1st season, scoring 4 goals and 10 assist with a +13 rating to the transfer portal and he will play hockey just a little closer to home, committing to University Of North Dakota Fighting Hawks for 2024/2025.
The 6’4″ 220 lbs. forward from Cambridge, ON played 3 years of juniors up north, but really connected in his 2nd AJHL session with Whitecourt Wolverines, where he had 50 assists in his 2nd frame before school.
We are thinking the undrafted 21-year old puts himself on some radar.
After one season in the midwest, playing college hockey, he captures the attention of Columbus Blue Jackets, who offer him a 2-year NHL entry level deal to leave a couple of years of school on the table.
Colorado College Tigers‘ graduate defenseman, Ty Gallagher(24) looks set to attain new college scoring highs this season with 3 goals and 8 assists in 14 games with a +6 rating.
The 6′ 187 lbs. Boston Bruins‘ 7th round pick in the 2021 draft (#217 overall) had 5 goals as a freshman at Boston University Terriers and 18 assists in his sophomore frame.
He has appeared in as many as 40 games in a campaign.
From Clarkston, MI, the 21-year old did 2 years of USNTDP before school.
He does look very singable to an NHL entry level deal.
Upon conclusion of his NCAA tournament play and year of eligibility, scoring a new best 9 goals and 26 assists, he signs a 2-year AHL deal with Providence Bruins, which keeps him squarely under the eye of the team that selected him.
In 8 games already, he has a 1st goal and 4 assists with a +2 rating on a playoff bound team.
UMASS Minutemen junior center Lucas Mercuri(11) is definitely on track for next college career bests scoring with 5 goals and 9 assists in 18 games with a +4 rating, putting him just a point or two of his marks.
The 6’3″ 192 lbs. forward is a Carolina Hurricanes‘ 6th round pick in the 2020 draft (#159 overall).
He came down from Montreal, QC for school and scored big to secure his finding, then went onto 1 USHL frame with Des Moines Buccaneers before heading to school.
The 21-year old is likely just hoping he’s doing everything right to earn his NHL entry level deal and we think he’s heading in the right direction more than ever now.
Finishing up his final season with new college bests 10 goals and 21 assists with a +14 rating, he is traded to Tampa Bay Lightning, signed to a 2-year entry level deal and sent to start his pro career with affiliate Syracuse Crunch.
Mercer Chiefs‘ 1st year defenseman Brody Finnegan(24) is heading to Elmira College Soaring Eagles on a 2025/2026 commit after putting up a nice 4 goals and 23 assists in 51 USPHL/NCDC games, then another 1 goal and 4 assists in 4 playoff matchups.
The 5’11” 180 lbs. blue liner from Fort Bragg, NC knows what it is to leave home to play hockey.
At still only 19-years old, we think he adapts well and contributes nicely to his new college team.
2nd year USNTDP center captain Rutger McGroarty(2) is readying himself with some solid stats to commit to University Of Michigan Wolverines for 2022/2023.
The 6’1″ 205 lbs. power forward has put-up point-per-game numbers this season.
It’s an easy call to say this 17-year old is going to be selected high in the draft with no reservations.
He was selected at #14 in 2022 by Winnipeg Jets, but as he started gaining ground at college, last season posting 36 assists in 36 games, he was indicting he would never sign with his draft club.
His wish is granted as Pittsburgh Penguins step in to offer the yet unsigned protege a new avenue and sign him to a 3-year entry level deal, leaving 2 years of school on the table.
He debuts on opening night, skating 16 shifts for 10:12 of ice with 1 shot and 2 hits and his feet are wet in a 6-3 victory.
In his 5th game, he pops in a 1st NHL goal and an assist for a multi-point effort, plus he skated almost a team best 18:28.
Ogden Mustangs‘ 2nd year defenseman Grant Hineman(94) returns back east with some junior best numbers to his 2025/2026 commit at Salve Regina University Seahawks.
The 6′ 170 lbs. blue liner scored 3 goals and 21 assists in 52 USPHL/NCDC games last season.
He came off strong seasons at Unionville High USHS-PA and many years in the Philadelphia Jr. Flyers‘ youth hockey system.
From West Chester, PA, the 21-year old will play college hockey a little closer to home.
Boston College Eagles‘ freshman right wing Gabe Perreault(94) is lighting up assists like he did last season with the USNTDP.
He has 3 goals and 17 assists in 14 games with a +9 rating to start his 1st year.
New York Rangers know.
They selected the 18-year old in the 1st round of the 2023 draft (#23 overall).
After a 2nd season of big college hockey scoring, maybe a little less than his first season, but good enough to get the draft team to say, let’s go and sign him to a 3-year NHL entry level deal.
He skates his debut upon inking, playing 20 shifts for 13:38 of ice time with 3 shots, 2 giveaways and was a -1 in a 5-4 overtime win.
University Of Minnesota Golden Gophers‘ junior right wing, Jimmy Snuggerud(21) takes 3 amazing seasons and turns it into a 3-year entry level deal with 1st round draft pick team St. Louis Blues (#23 overall).
The 6’1″ 186 lbs. forward makes his NHL debut, skating 15 shifts for 10:43 ice time with 2 shots, 1 giveaway and was a -1 rating in a 2-1 overtime win.
From Chaska, MN, he was prolific in high school, then in 2 years of USHL juniors with the USNTDP.
Providence College 2nd semester Freshman defenseman Taige Harding(27) arrives to the team from Fort McMurray Oil Barons, where he had 14 goals and 23 assists in 37 AJHL games.
The 6’7″ 234 lbs. blue liner is a Chicago Blackhawks‘ 3nd round pick in the 2021 draft (#93 overall) will benefit big from tough Hockey East style play.
He already spent 3 years in junior hockey and is 20-years old, so we’ll see how much college time he will spend.
Finishing up his senior year, scoring 2 goals and 12 assists in 37 games with a +9 rating, he signs with the team he was selected by and will report to affiliate Rockford Icehogs to get started.
Ohio State University Buckeyes‘ junior defenseman Damien Carfagna(93) is undrafted and signs a 2-year NHL entry level deal with Edmonton Oilers after scoring a college best 7 goals and 21 assists with a +16 rating.
The 5’11” 168 lbs. blue liner came over after a freshman year at University Of New Hampshire Wildcats.
He did 2 seasons of junior hockey before school and won the USHL Clark Cup Championship in his 2nd.
From Wood Ridge, NJ, the 22-year old may report to the affiliate to start, but he is going.
