Trois Rivières Lions‘ rookie defenseman Connor Welsh(59) managed to do pretty well for himself despite playing on a non-playoff team with 2 goals and 18 assists.
The 5’11” 164 lbs. blue liner skated 2 years of BCHL junior hockey before heading off to 4 seasons at Dalhousie University Tigers, where he twice amassed 15 assists.
From Halifax, NS, the 25-year old is still getting his legs under him as a pro.
Worcester Railers see something they can use in the small-ish d-man and sign him up for 2023/2024.
He takes a 2nd ECHL season scoring 7 goals and 22 assists and will be back in a Railers‘ jersey for 2024/2025.
As a d-man, he explodes for 49 assists last season, which he is going to take to a new challenge in Slovak Extraliga, signing a 1-year deal with HK Dukla Michalovce for 2025/2026.
Undrafted defenseman Brendon Michaelian(11) finishes up at his 3rd school, Mercyhurst University Lakers and signs a 1st pro contract with Fort Wayne Komets for 2023/2024.
The 6′ 172 lbs. blue liner 1st went to Robert Morris University Pioneers after a decent enough 2-year NAHL run with Amarillo Bulls, but they stopped fielding a team after his sophomore year, so switched to Ferris State University Bulldogs.
From Wixom, MI, the 25-year old is likely ready to get started in one place after his college hockey journey.
He in all eventuality, actually signs with Fayetteville Marksmen for his rookie season and did pretty well to get loaned up to Toledo Walleye, where he played a very steady, accountable game.
For 2024/2025, he re-signs to stay in the ECHL.
He plays a full 72 games, scoring 5 goals and 10 assists with a +9 rating, then adds 1 assist in 19 playoff matchups.
For 2025/2026, he is liked and will return for another season as a Walleye.
American International College Yellowjackets‘ junior commit, defenseman David Posma(25) should contribute nicely in Atlantic Hockey play for his new college club.
He’s coming off a split season, playing USHL junior for Omaha Lancers after leaving a 2nd year at Niagara University Purple Eagles, where things didn’t look to be going in the direction he wanted.
The 6′ 170 lbs. blue liner scored 1 goal and 10 assists in 19 games playing juniors.
He also did 2 NAHL sessions with New Jersey Titans, winning the 2022 Robertson Cup, coming off a season of him scoring 11 goals and 29 assists in 48 games with a league leading +43 rating.
The 20-year old is likely ready to get restarted to show what he can do.
College continues to evolve, as his current team notifies of leaving D1 status next season, so it’s little surprise to see him on the move to do his senior year at Stonehill College Skyhawks, 2025/2026.
University Of Southern Maine Huskies‘ senior defenseman Cole Ouellette(11) signs a 1st pro contract with Baton Rouge Zydeco and scores 2 assists in 7 FPHL games.
The 6′ 185 lbs. blue liner played his way up in juniors to eventually skate for hometown team, Maine Nordiques before heading to college.
Heading into his official rookie season, the 26-year old still needs a new deal for 2025/2026.
The tower of a skater 6’6″ 231 lbs., undrafted center Jay Dickman(23) takes a pair of good seasons for Wichita Thunder and signs with HC Nove Zamky of Slovakia.
In 2020/2021, he scored an ECHL best 20 goals and 38 assists.
He did 5 years at Bemidji State University Beavers with his best totals as a junior, scoring 15 goals and 8 assists.
The St. Paul, MN native spent 2 years with Austin Bruins, running up point-per-game totals in 114 NAHL games before committing to school.
At 29-years old, he is heading out on a new hockey adventure and should do well.
He actually returned after a short 2 games away and powered in a new best 26 goals and 61 points in 67 games to want to keep him around in Kansas for continued views.
In his 4th overall frame with the team, he posts career bests 29 goals, 40 assists and 69 points to keep on keeping on in Wichita.
Well, he goes on to score a new career high 30 goals and 43 assists in a full tilt of 72 games with a +7 rating and he will return for a 6th season as a Thunder.
7th year left wing A.J. White(18) re-signs with Idaho Steelheads for a 5th season, 4th as team captain.
The 6’2″ 201 lbs. forward scored a career high 25 goals and 44 assists for 69 points in 72 ECHL games with a +15 rating last season.
He 4 times had 10+ assists at UMass-Lowell Riverhawks and served as captain of that club as a senior.
The 30-year old has to be pretty happy to be still playing hockey at a fairly high level.
He’s still scoring at a very regular clip, so it’s a complete no-brainer to invite him to return in a Steelheads‘ jersey for 2023/2024.
After his 4th season as captain, 7th overall and 596 games in the league under his belt, he is set to retire a Steelheads and almost can’t imagine him not staying with the team in some role.
Canisius College Golden Griffins‘ graduate left wing Kyle Haskins(8) put up college career best numbers, 11 goals and 12 assists in 37 games last season.
The 6′ 185 lbs. forward transferred as a senior from Michigan State University Spartans.
He did 2 USHL sessions of juniors for Waterloo Blackhawks before college.
From Huntington, VT, the 25-year old initially signed with Orlando Solar Bears, but was traded with no points to Greenville Swamp Rabbits and grabbed 3 goals and 4 assists in 9 games.
We think he picks up a contract for 2025/2026.
Almost a little hard to believe, he gets picked up in free agency by Reading Royals for his rookie season, 2025/2026.
University Of Wisconsin Badgers‘ freshman defenseman Logan Hensler(6) committed after 2 USNTDP seasons of good scoring play.
The 6’3″ 198 lbs. blue liner scored 2 goals and 10 assists in 32 games last season.
From Woodbury, MN, the 19-year old is selected by Ottawa Senators in the 2nd round of the 2025 draft (#23 overall).
After 11 years with the team that initially signed him in a trade following the completion of 3 years at Boston College Eagles, Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Brian Dumoulin(8) steps away for a 1st time, agreeing to 2 years with Seattle Kracken at a nice $3.15M AAV.
He was initially drafted by Carolina Hurricanes in the 2nd round of 2009 (#51 overall).
The 6’4″ 207 lbs. rock of a blue liner has a combined +98 rating, 2 Stanley Cups and 2 NCAA Division 1 titles.
He played a career high 82 game slate last season, scoring a new best 24 assists and 25 points.
The 31-year old, originally from Biddeford, ME is only smiling, playing hockey.
He scores a career high 6 goals in his 1st season away from home, but isn’t retained and traded to Anaheim Ducks for 2024/2025.
The continued upward movement is on in New Jersey Devils, who trade to pick him up the soon to be unrestricted agent and insure their upward movement.
He continues to be a strong performer and is picked up by Los Angeles Kings on a 3-year deal worth $4M AAV.
Colgate University Raiders‘ senior right wing Ross Mitton(47) will take on a year of eligibility in Hockey East, when he suits up for University Of Maine Black Bears for a graduate session, 2024/2025.
The 5’10” 190 lbs. forward was the school’s top scorer last season with his new college best 11 goals and 19 assists in 34 games.
From Manhasset, NY, he went from the Portledge School, scoring to Fargo Force and Lincoln Stars, but didn’t find USHL success until hooking up with Omaha Lancers.
The undrafted 23-year old will be an interesting watch.
In 32 games, he scores 4 goals and 7 assists, while raising his on-ice to a +10 rating.
He finishes up tournament play and signs with Bridgeport Islanders, where he will hopefully get himself into at least a couple AHL games to get his pro game started.
In 1 game, he scores a 1st goal in the league.
It’s an easy bet he is invited to return for his official rookie frame as an Islanders, 2025/2026.
