Ogden Mustangs‘ defenseman Tyler Lafferty(7) commits to St. Mary University Of Minnesota Cardinals for 2024/2025 after only 15 USPHL/NCDC regular season, then 10 games in the playoffs from coming over in a move from the NAHL in his only junior season.
The Farmington, MN native, who played his USHS-MN school at Lakeville South High Cougars is basically him going home to play college hockey.
We think the 6′ 170 lbs. 19-year old blue liner adds a little bite to this team.
After a couple of seasons on the sidelines after finishing up 4 years as twice captain at Robert Morris University Colonials, who 3 times was good for high 10+ assist numbers, left wing Nick Prkusic(77) finally signs a 1st deal for 2023/2024 with Greenville Swamp Rabbits.
The 6’3″ 209 lbs. forward from St. Albert, AB played 3 junior sessions, scoring big in his last 2, raising back-to-back AJHL Championships and actually became an assistant coach last season.
It may take the 26-year old a little time to get back into the swing of things, but we expect to see him park in front of the opposing team’s net often.
In 45 ECHL games, he scored 4 goals and 13 assists, then another 2 points in 6 playoff matchups to complete a successful 1st year back.
For 2024/2025, he must be feeling his game, as he signs with Glasgow Clan and we expect him to ignite the EIHL some.
3rd year left wing Collin Adams(18) heads home to skate next for Kalamazoo Wings in 2023/2024.
Last season, he managed point-per-game numbers: 14 goals, 18 assists in 30 ECHL games for Worcester Railers and 3 goals and 4 assists in 20 AHL games with Bridgeport Islanders, while under a 2-year NHL entry level deal from draft team (6th round, 2016, #170 overall) New York Islanders.
The 5’9″ 194 lbs. forward graduated University Of North Dakota Fighting Hawks as a solid junior and senior scorer.
He also lit up 2 USHL frames for Muskegon Lumberjacks.
The 25-year old from Brighton, MI should do as well as he’s done, if not better next season.
He played a career best 64 games ,scoring new high 22 goals and 21 assists and will head over to Tipos Extraliga for 2024/2025, signing with HC Banska Bystrica.
Pennsylvania Huntsmen left wing Andrew Blanchard(6) scored 4 goals and 7 assists with a couple different EHL teams last season and takes it to a 2024/2025 commit at SUNY Potsdam Bears.
The 6’2″ 201 lbs. forward played his 1st year of juniors in the EHLP, scoring 35 goals and 20 assists in 41 games.
From Wilton, NY, he should help his new college team score more.
Maryland Black Bears‘ 2nd year 6’4″ 205 lbs. defenseman Luke Amell(2) takes his hothead 163 penalty minutes to a 2024/2025 commit at Sacred Heart University Pioneers.
He also scored a junior best 6 goals and 19 assists in 59 games with a +8 rating, then added another 6 assists in the playoffs.
From Mars, PA, the 20-year old played all his youth hockey in the Pittsburgh Penguins‘ system and should be a welcome Atlantic Hockey presence.
3rd year EHL defenseman Tyler Turner(3) takes a new high 8 assists in 45 games for Vermont Lumberjacks to a Franklin Pierce University Ravens commit for 2024/2025.
The big 6’3″ 185 lbs. blue liner originally started in the EHLP before being brought up by former 2-year team Valley Jr. Warriors.
From Williamsville, NY, the 20-year old will hopefully add some back bone to their defensive zone.
University Of New Hampshire Wildcats‘ sophomore goaltender Tyler Muszelik(30) maybe a little unsurprisingly enters the transfer portal and will tend net next for Hockey East foe, University Of Connecticut Huskies in 2024/2025.
The 6’3″ 194 lbs. net minder is a Florida Panthers‘ 6th round draft pick in the 2022 draft (#189 overall).
He did 2 years at USNTDP and maybe a bit oddly was selected after a 1st not so amazing frame.
From Long Valley, NJ, we do think the 19-year old has a much better new season.
Ogden Mustangs‘ Swedish-born 2nd year defenseman Teddie Hember(22) played a 1st USPHL/NCDC season after making the jump, scoring big in Premier for his 1st frame.
The 6’1″ 172 lbs. blue liner scored 11 goals and 27 assists in 45 games, then went onto added another 3-6 in 8 before bowing out in the finals.
He will take his solid defensive game with offense upsides to a 2024/2025 at Salve Regina University Seahawks.
We look for the 21-year old to do well in CCC play.
University Of Vermont Catamounts‘ Kazakhstan-born junior center Andrei Buyalsky(12) decides to leave a year on the table to turn pro, signing for 2024/2025 with Barys Astana of the KHL.
The 6’3″ 194 lbs. forward was a point-per-game USHL player with Dubuque Fighting Saints before school coming over after 4 seasons of Pro Hokei Ligacy at home and 27 games in Russia’s tier 2 VHL, so has quite a little history, hockey journey.
He was a Colorado Avalanche 3rd round pick in 2021 (#92 overall), but they don’t seem to be interested in pursuing him.
We think he finds space and does well in the top Russian league.
New Hampshire Mountain Kings‘ 2nd year NAHL right wing Matthew Hale(28) scored a junior best 12 goals and 18 assists, playing for essentially what is his home team, coming from Center Harbor and commits to another close by club, Plymouth State University Panthers for 2024/2025.
The 5’7″ 150 lbs. forward did all his youth hockey in the area as well.
We think the 20-year old helps his new college club win games.
