UMASS-Lowell Riverhawks‘ Russian-born, freshman left wing Kuzma Voronin(25) came over early for some youth hockey before agreeing to play the USHL for Youngstown Phantoms.
After a trade sent him to Fargo Force, he continued to score, but went for something different, signing in the QMJHL with Moncton Wildcats and that would be successful to the tune of point-per-game numbers.
The 5’11” 172 lbs. 20-year old forward will definitely be challenge by Hockey East play.
Quinnipiac University Bobcats‘ graduate defenseman Brendan Less(23) is definitely glad he added an extra session to his college game after entering the portal transfer from 4 years at Dartmouth College Big Green.
Tying his 2nd most, 31 NCAA Division 1 games played, he has exceedingly good new bests with 2 goals, 14 assists, 16 points and a big +28 rating.
The 5’11” 170 lbs. blue liner committed in his 2nd year at Choate Rosemary Hall without recording a lot of points, so they saw something more in his game they liked.
At 23-years old, it’s tough to say the route he takes after 5 years in the ECAC, but the Kinnelon, NJ native may find some space to grow his game as a pro.
After his team was eliminated from tournament play, the d-man signed an ECHL contract to join Worcester Railers.
He would appear in 6 games, grabbing a first pro point, an assist.
For 2022/2023, he signs with Jacksonville Icemen, a team he should gel well with.
He actually gets released from training camp and quickly inks with Iowa Heartlanders, where he should stick and do nicely.
In 22 games, he notches 4 assists, but Adirondack Thunder see something they can work with and sign him for 2023/2024.
Through a season high 44 games, he scores 2 goals and 11 assists with a +12 rating to easily gain an invite to return to continue wearing a Thunder uniform.
He gets loaned up to Syracuse Crunch for 1 AHL game, while scoring a best 19 assists and 20 points with a +11 rating last season, but gets himself traded to Atlanta Gladiators for 2025/2026 and will need a contract.
Through 57 games, he scores 4 goals and 14 assists with a +26 rating to easily get a new deal to return a Gladiators for 2026/2027.
University Of Wisconsin-Superior Yellowjackets‘ senior defenseman Tyler Ryder(25) takes some new college scoring bests, 4 goals and 7 assists in 26 games with a +13 rating to a 1st pro contract with Peoria Rivermen.
The 6’3″ 201 lbs. blue liner did 2 years NAHL before college.
From Grand Rapid, MI, the 24-year old already has 2 goals and 1 assist in 4 SPHL games.
For 2026/2027, he signs a 2-way ECHL deal with parent club, Norfolk Admirals.
Stonehill College Skyhawks‘ junior defenseman Evan Orr(26) transferred back to where he had success in his 2nd year of junior hockey with Northeast Generals from 2 years at Michigan Tech University Broncos.
That season, the 5’11” 185 scored 5 goals and 22 assists in 25 games with a +11 rating.
From Shelby Township, MI, the 23-year old we think is in his happy place and should do well playing the independent schedule.
The senior captain scores a new college best 13 assists and 18 points, while helping pace his team to a new best record in 2025/2026.
He takes his game to a 1st pro contract with Atlanta Gladiators that should be quite a good view.
In 14 games, he doesn’t grab a point and signs with Kalamazoo Wings for his rookie season, 2026/2027.
Northern Cyclones‘ 1st year Czechia-born, USPHL Premier right wing Sidney Robinson(90) has quickly popped onto our watch list for movement up the junior hockey ladder and eventual college placement is where we see it.
Only 18-years old had a hat trick and 2 assists in a big 7-1 win.
The 5’11” 181 lbs. forward plays like a game-changer at this level.
6’6″ 216 lbs. defenseman Jacob Modry(2) signs a 1st pro deal with Savannah Ghost Pirates, where in 3 ECHL games he’s like having a lot of fun, but also has a 1st assist.
He finished up college with 2 years at SUNY-Plattsburgh State Cardinals after maybe two underwhelming frames with Merrimack College Warriors.
As a senior, he tied his best 4 goals and got a new high 19 assists, 23 points in 28 D3 games with a +21 rating.
The 24-year old from El Segundo, CA will need maybe just settle a bit to find his team.
He started 2023/2024 with Newfoundland Growlers, but after 20 ECHL games with 2 goals and 2 assists, he gets shipped to Greenville Swamp Rabbits, which is probably the best landing spot possible for the big man on wheels.
No points after 22 games, but he maintains a nice +6 rating on accountability and they easily see something there to continue working with and sign him up to stay in a Swamp Rabbits‘ sweater for 2024/2025.
After 3 seasons with 1 club, he looks elsewhere and signs Mountfield HK in the tough to play, Czechia Extraliga for 2026/2027.
University Of North Dakota Fighting Hawks‘ senior, assistant captain center Cameron Berg(12) signs to a 1-year AHL contract under the guide of draft club (4th round, 2021, #125 overall), New York Islanders.
The 6′ 192 lbs. transferred from 2 years at University Of Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks, where he was a good scorer.
He did 3 years of USHL juniors before college.
From West Fargo, ND, the 23-year old will probably score decently in the AHL with contract club, Bridgeport Islanders.
In 53 games as a rookie, he scores 7 goals and 13 assists, which is enough to get him an invite to play in 2026/2027 with the new affiliate Hamilton Hammers.
Holy Cross College Crusaders‘ sophomore defenseman A.J. Lacroix(2) skated through the transfer portal after no points on 21 games in his freshman year at UMass Minutemen.
The 6′ 187 lbs. forward looks to have more impact in Atlantic Hockey.
From Livingston, NJ, the 21-year old did well in 2 BCHL sessions before returning for the USHL and doing good there, but returned to Canadian juniors before school.
9th year net minder Parker Gahagen(35) has always shined when employed in the ECHL to continuously earn AHL contracts and he did it again with last year’s play for Worcester Railers earns him a new contract for 2026/2027 with Springfield Thunderbirds.
The 6’2″ 194 lbs. goalie did 4 years mostly holding down stellar numbers at US Army West Point Black Knights.
From Amherst, NY, the 33-year old has been cruising along nicely.
New England College Pilgrims‘ senior left wing David Novotny(48) has always scored decently with his best run coming as a freshman, scoring 10 goals and 8 assists.
In 10 games this season, he has a team leading 4 goals and 3 assists, so is on mark to pass his highs.
The 5’11” 165 lbs. forward from Boca Raton, FL did his high school in the northeast and played 1 year of EHL juniors with Seahawks Hockey Club before committing.
He’s 23-years old and will definitely be an interesting next watch.
Originally skating his rookie season with Huntsville Havoc, he was waived and claimed by Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs, where he exploded for 7 goals and 1 assist in 16 SPHL games with a +3 rating, then added another 3 points in the playoffs.
He will easily return on a new deal for 2026/2027.
