Michigan State University Spartans‘ graduate transfer from 4 years at Clarkson University Golden Knights, defenseman Michael Underwood(3) has always been a plus player on the blue line, but his team is off to a bit of an uneven, close game start and he’s for the first time on the minus side.
We do expect that to change.
The 6’2″ 205 lbs. d-man was a +29 skater leaving junior hockey before entering college.
At 24-years old, the Bloomfields Hill, MI native is playing his college hockey close to home.
After finishing up his 5th session in school, he signed an pto with Colorado Eagles and joined them for 3 AHL games with no points.
They liked what they saw of the fairly big d-man and sign him up for his rookie run 2023/2024.
He played only 3 ECHL games last season and signs with Savannah Ghost Pirates for 2024/2025.
Just before the start of the new year, he finds himself traded to Maine Mariners for the new frame.
He plays 67 games with 5 assists and a horrible -24 rating, but looks to improve on his 2nd visit to the Mariners for 2025/2026.
Undrafted center, captain David Jankowski(14) takes a college career best 12 assists and 16 points to a new school hockey endeavor at Michigan Tech University Huskies from 4 years at St. Lawrence University Saints.
The 6’1″ 175 lbs. forward from Dundas, ON played two seasons of juniors in the CCHL, but he really came alive in his 2nd frame, connecting for most goals (38), most points (90) and league MVP.
We think the 25-year old will find more open room to score in the CCHA and may even get to join his NHL brother Mark Jankowski on a minor league deal.
He somehow would continue to score 4 goals as he did from his sophomore frame on after getting 8 as a freshman, then signed an ato with Wheeling Nailers, striking for 3 goals and 3 assists in 7 games with a +2 rating.
His efforts don’t go unnoticed, as he agrees to stay on for 2023/2024.
Through 69 ECHL games, he puts in a strong performance with 11 goals, 26 assists and a +9 rating.
Little doubt, he’s seeing the light, following his best season and will return for a 2nd.
He run exact totals in his 2 seasons with the team, but is traded to Norfolk Admirals, who will utilize his scoring prowess with great ability.
In 19 games, he scored 1 goal and 7 assists, but gets himself traded Jacksonville Icemen for future considerations.
Curry College Colonels‘ sophomore net minder Thomas Heaney(33) transferred from little work at University Of Connecticut Huskies.
The 6’1″ 170 lbs. goalie has 5/6 start with a 2.37 GAA with maybe a bit of a split record, but is looking really good.
From Oceanport, NJ, the 21-year old did 2 years with Maine Nordiques before heading to school.
MCLA Trailblazers‘ Latvian-born, freshman defenseman Krisjanis Graholskis(6) come over for 1 year of USHS-WI before starting junior hockey.
He cycled a couple of teams, but played well NA3HL before returning to Connecticut Nor’easter to finish up in the EHL.
The 6’4″ 192 lbs. blue liner has played 10 games with no points this season on a team that struggles some to win games.
Norfolk Admirals‘ 3rd year defenseman Lordanthony Grissom(3) won the 2022 SPHL Championship with Peoria Rivermen after completing 4 years, twice as captain at Aurora University Spartans.
He actually scored points in that league, raising his profile to score ECHL contracts moving forward.
The very large 6’4″ 229 lbs. blue liner had a league career best 3 goals and 7 assists last season for Greenville Swamp Rabbits.
From Detroit, MI, the 28-year old has 1 assist in 3 games in the current frame and could find his way to scoring more points when out there.
In 16 games, he only posts 1 assists, but is a +2 rating.
He is released and claimed off waivers by Jacksonville Icemen, who hope to do something with his great size.
Not really with a lot of luck last season, split between a couple of teams, Iowa Heartlanders see something they think they can turn into more of a scoring factor and bring him in for 2025/2026.
Released after 22 games with 3 assists, he is picked back up by Greenville Swamp Rabbits, where he scored his best numbers.
Princeton University Tigers‘ senior defenseman Nick Carabin(7) takes on a year of eligibility and will play Hockey East for University Of Connecticut Huskies in 2024/2025 for a graduate session.
The 5’10” 195 lbs. blue liner takes a new college best 5 goals and 12 assists last season to his new school and likely couldn’t be more welcome.
From Mahwah, NJ, he did all of his youth hockey at home before heading off to BCHL for a good season before school.
The 24-year old will do well.
He signs a 1st deal with Reading Royals and records an assist, which is a good look to invite him back for his rookie season, 2025/2026.
And just like that he gets traded ahead of the season opener to Cincinnati Cyclones.
He plays 13 games with his new team, producing 2 assists with a -5 rating, but is once again traded to Tahoe Knight Monsters to play out the season.
Union College Dutchmen senior right wing Caden Villegas(17) had a college best 22 assists in his final season.
The 5’8″ 174 lbs. forward from Plano, TX moved through the ranks of youth hockey before heading to juniors, where he moved up before college.
He signed a 1st pro deal with Adirondack Thunder and in 12 ECHL games, recorded 1 goal and 2 assists.
For his rookie run, he will need a contract.
He finally does come around to sign a 1-year deal to remain a Thunder for 2025/2026, but actually changes things up to become a free agent and signs for a 1st year with Maine Mariners instead.
Through 21 games with 1 goal and 5 assists, he leaves for Swindon Wildcats of the NIHL, maybe to prove something for his game going for the next step forward.
Wentworth Institute Of Technology Leopards‘ freshman left wing Xavier Vaillancourt(15) has 6 goals and 1 assists in 11 games this season.
The 6’2″ 185 lbs. forward did scored pretty big in 2 years of his time in the USPHL/NCDC and helped win a 2024 Dineen Cup with South Shore Kings.
From Pointe-Claire, QC, the 21-year old came down for a couple years USHS-Prep before juniors.
Long Island University Lakers‘ graduate goaltender Vinnie Purpura(33) signs a 1st contract upon completing his 5th year with Adirondack Thunder and gets pressed into play his 1st ECHL game right away.
In his 2nd game, the 6’6″ 194 lbs. backstop pulls off a 1st 6-2 win after losing his debut effort in overtime.
He originally committed to Boston University Terriers , where he was used sparingly in 2 seasons, after a solid 2nd USHL frame with Omaha Lancers.
The 24-year from Lemont, IL may just find his game completely as he’s turned pro.
He would post a 2-0 record in 4 appearances, but he couldn’t have been happy with his numbers, so he signs to return for another look in a Thunder jersey for 2023/2024.
Through 25 starts, he posts a 15-4-4 record, but doesn’t have a new deal, so his rights are claimed by Reading Royals for 2024/2025.
After a decent season stopping pucks, he will returns a Royals for 2025/2026.
And yikes, he goes 3-0 to start with a .099 GAA and .967 SV%, but maybe playing time is a tiny bit of an issue here and he gets moved to Savannah Ghost Pirates, who can use them to bolster their claims.
He continues with his good game, posting a 4-2 record, 1.92 GAA and .939 SV% to score himself a 1-way AHL deal with Charlotte Checkers for the 2nd half of the 2026 season.
Northeastern University Huskies‘ junior center captain Justin Hryckowian(49) takes a college best 30 assists and 43 points in 32 games with a +24 rating to a 2-year entry level deal with Dallas Stars.
Undrafted, the 5’10” 194 lbs. forward from L’lle Bizard, QC came down for a senior year at high school before heading off to 2 USHL years of junior hockey.
The 23-year old will likely report to affiliate Texas Stars to get started, but could warrant a look up in the show.
And he does.
Recalled due to injury and his scoring streak in the minors, he waits, but eventually makes his big league debut before the end of the new year.
He skates 9 shifts for 5:50 ice time in his NHL debut, has 1 hit and 1 giveaway in a 5-1 win. Nice start.
In 43 games this season, he has 6 goals and 7 assists, which is good enough to earn him a nice 2-year extension to stay a Stars.
