Buffalo Sabres‘ 4th round pick in the 2017 draft (#99 overall) defenseman Jacob Bryson(18) is making himself at home in his career high 48th NHL game, scoring an exact from his rookie campaign, one goal and 8 assists.
The small 5’9″ 179 lbs. blue liner is set to become a restricted free agent and should likely settle on a multi-year deal to stay.
He put up solid numbers as a rookie with affiliate Rochester Americans, scoring 4 goals and 23 assists in 61 AHL games with a +8 rating.
The former 3-year Providence College Friars was twice a 20+ assist guy.
From London, ON, he is listed as having done one year in the USHS-Prep before heading to a season of USHL.
There’s little doubt the 24-year old has a lot to smile about.
After a trade sends him to a new team for a 1st time, the unrestricted free agent signs for 2026/2027 with Detroit Red Wings.
Providence College Friars‘ graduate center Logan Will(20) scored a college best 8 goals and 16 assists in his extra frame.
The 5’11” 185 lbs. twice captain forward at Colorado College Tigers was a consistent scorer there.
He did 3 years USHL juniors before school.
From Ames, IA, the 25-year old signs a 1st pro contract with Florida Everblades and has 2 goals and 3 assists with a +4 rating in 14 ECHL games.
After 30 games, scoring 4 goals and 6 assists with a +8 rating, he decides to leave for a little better hockey in Slovak Extraliga, signing with HK Spisska Nova Ves.
In 3 games, he has 3 assists with a +2 rating.
He would finish up with 11 games, scoring 2 goals and 5 assists, but is ready to move on and signs with Eispiraten Crimmitschau for 2026/2027.
Utica Jr. Comets‘ 2nd year defenseman Carson Zick(55) scored at a new level last season with 8 goals and 29 assists in 53 USPHL/NCDC games.
He takes this new found offense to a 2026/2027 commit at University Of Wisconsin-Stout Blue Devils, putting him closer to his Baraboo, WI homefront.
The 6’1″ 201 lbs., 21-year old blue liner will likely help steady the zone of his new college club.
Rochester Jr. Americans‘ 1st year right wing Colin Dustin(21) scored 20 goals and 20 assists in 53 NAHL games, then another 3 points in the playoffs to commit to Niagara University Purple Eagles for 2026/2027.
The 5’11” 185 lbs. forward did all his youth hockey in the Ohio Blue Jackets‘ system.
From Galena, OH, he should assimilate well into Atlantic Hockey.
Dartmouth College Big Green sophomore defenseman Cooper Cleaves(22) was selected by Montreal Canadiens as a 3rd round pick in the 2026 draft (#93 overall).
The 6’3″ 205 lbs. blue liner had 4 goals and 6 assists in 30 games with a 0 rating.
From Riverside, CT, the 20-year old shows skills that will translate to the pro level.
Curry College Colonels‘ senior center Taurin Haddon-Harris(9) had a college hockey best scoring 14 assists and 18 points last season.
For 2026/2027, the 5’10” 185 lbs. forward signs a 1st pro contract with Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs.
From Sarasota, FL, the 21-year old was a 2-point-per-game player in his 2nd USPHL Premier season with Florida Eels.
Simon Fraser University Red Leafs‘ junior defenseman Caleb Huffman(2) decides to leave school and turn pro, signing a contract with Wichita Thunder.
The big 6’4″ 201 lbs. blue liner had 3 goals and 13 assists in 20 games this season.
He transferred from 2 years at University Of Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves, where he first played after leaving as captain of 2nd year NAHL junior team, Kenai Brown Bears.
From Fairbanks, AK, the 23-year old should fit in quickly with his new ECHL team.
He played 6 games with no points, but get re-signed to return a Thunder for 2025/2026.
Attending training camp, he is released and signs with Macon Mayhem, who will eventually add him to their SPHL roster for 2025/2026.
After a very solid performance in the playoffs for the team he smartly acquired by Evansville Thunderbolts, who went on to win the 2026 SPHL Championship and he was very impressive in the playoffs.
For 2026/2027, Tulsa Oilers come snooping and sign him to a deal.
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.
In just 36 games, he scores 7 assists with a +17 rating, then adds a 1st league goal and 2 assists in the playoffs to easily be invited back for a 3rd season in a Mariners‘ jersey, 2026/2027.
Canisius College Golden Griffins‘ graduate defenseman Jackson Decker(21) signed a 1st pro deal for his rookie season, 2025/2026 with Allen Americans.
The 5’11” 170 lbs. blue liner has 1 assist in 12 ECHL games.
Through 4 years, he was always good for 10+ assists and scored 7 goals as a senior.
From Algonguin, IL, the 26-year old did 4 years of juniors before school.
In 57 games in his 1st year, he scores a 1st league goal and 8 assists to earn an invite for a 2nd Americans‘ season, 2026/2027.
Arizona State University Sun Devils‘ senior captain defenseman Ethan Szmagaj(3) signs a pro deal for his rookie season, 2025/2026 with Reading Royals after being picked up on a trade.
The 6′ 194 lbs. blue liner had his best scoring season as a sophomore with 10 assists and then in his junior frame had 3 goals and was a +6 performer.
From Canton, MI, the 24-year has 2 assists in 2 ECHL games to start his pro career.
He plays 8 games and gets himself traded to Orlando Solar Bears.
In 54 games, he gets 3 goals and 9 assists to score a new deal to return a Solar Bears for 2026/2027.
