University Of Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks‘ sophomore defenseman Noah Barlage(4) skates a college hockey high 31 games, scoring a new best 4 assists, but decides it’s not really for him and signs a pro deal for his rookie year, 2026/2027 with the new to the ECHL New Mexico Goatheads.
The 6′ 185 lbs. blue liner did 3 years with hometown SJHL Humboldt Broncos before coming down for 1 USHL before school.
From Humboldt, SK, the 23-year old should do ok in his new league.
Mercyhurst University Lakers‘ 2022/2023 commit, 2nd year Johnstown Tomahawks‘ defenseman Dustin Geregach(26) is definitely on his way to junior high marks, already grabbing a best 5 goals and 19 points with a +9 rating in just 28 NAHL games.
The 6′ 181 lbs., 20-year old blue liner has definitely put up points in the past through high school and youth hockey clubs, so may restart that in a bigger way as he heads into Atlantic Hockey play, but staying accountable is huge as well.
He signs a deal with Greenville Swamp Rabbits upon tourney completion and goes on to score 2 goals and 11 assists in 18 ECHL games.
This is easily good enough to earn an invite to join the team for his official rookie season, 2025/2026.
An early trade last season sent him to Orlando Solar Bears and the result is points like he score late in college hockey, thus getting a new deal to stay for 2026/2027.
University Of Denver Pioneers‘ sophomore defenseman Zeev Buium(24) stays only 2 years before the Minnesota Wild 1st round pick in the 2024 NHL draft (#12 overall) signs a 3-year entry level deal.
The 6′ 185 lbs. blue liner had point-per-game numbers through 2 seasons with 10+ goals and 30+ assists each frame.
In 18 games this season, he has 3 goals and 5 assist with a -10 rating he needs to work on.
From Laguna Niguel, CA, the 19-year old did 2 years of USNTDP, but really popped scoring, when he arrived at school.
In maybe the explosive 2025/2026 trade, he moves to help build the future of Vancouver Canucks.
Heading into 2026/2027, he signs a massive 8-year deal worth $9.38M AAV to stay a Canucks.
Northeast Generals‘ 2nd year returning center Richard Rucireto(27) scored 11 goals and 13 assists in 19 games.
The 5’9″ 161 lbs. forward commits 2026/2027 to Oswego State University Lakers.
From Staten Island, NY, the 21-year old should score well SUNYAC.
Plymouth State University Panthers‘ senior center Will Redick(8) twice in his junior and final seasons scored an exact 17 goals and 17 assists.
He had 27 goals in 27 games as a sophomore.
The 5’10” 181 lbs. forward came down from 2 OJHL years.
From Wasaga Beach, ON, the 25-year old signs a 1st pro contract for his rookie year, 2026/2027 with Peoria Rivermen of the SPHL.
Curry College Colonels‘ center Timmy Kent(28) is currently tied for tops in NCAA Division 3 hockey scoring with 10 goals and 16 assists in 11 games, which has already surpassed his previous helpers’ high, but he still has a ways to go to reach the 21 strikes he had as a junior.
Injury forced him to the sidelines for his entire last frame at school, but he got healthy to sign a 1st pro deal with Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs that saw him score pretty effectively SPHL to get a loan up to Iowa Heartlanders with a 3 goal and 4 assists showing in 22 ECHL games.
For 2025/2026, he was set to return, but a trade sends him to rivals Fayettesville Marksmen, where we look for him to score well again and move up.
Well, he again scores well in the league, worth 3 goals and 8 assists in 14 games with a +7 rating, but once again is on the move and goes to Birmingham Bulls, who can use him.
He is scoring decently with his new club, but maybe wants something a little more, different and signs with EHC Konigsbrunn of Germany4.
Returning after only 6 games away, he signs with Knoxville Ice Bears and scores 5 goals and 8 assists in 18 SPHL games, then another 5 points in the playoffs and he is an easy invite to be back for 2026/2027.
In 2 games, he got an assist.
We did a Twitter interview with him that speaks for the rest:
Question 1: You’re from Parkland, FL, yet somehow decided to attend Lawrence Academy up here in Groton for high school. How did that happen and why?
TK: I decided to look at Prep Schools because the exposure playing in Florida wasn’t great at the time and for Florida players the options to continue playing competitively and be seen by colleges were either AAA or prep schools in New England. I decided education wise and for hockey that would be a good path to take. I decided on Lawrence because of the culture and reputation their program had at the time. I loved my time at Lawrence, we had some great teams and I made a lot of lifetime friends there.
Question 2: You stuck around MA to next play USPHL/NCDC junior hockey for Junior Bruins, but were maybe traded to Syracuse after the first month or so and played a little while with them before…heading to University Of New England Nor’easters. What was up with that? How did that come about? And talk about your experience with that team.
TK: At that time I felt ready to go to school and UNE had a good program and I had some friends there that liked the school and were really enjoying their time there and they kind of swayed me in that direction. My experience there was a good one and I met a lot of great people I still keep in touch with.
Question 3: You would decide to return to junior hockey for another session and signed maybe a slight level up in the NAHL with at least New England-based Maine Nordiques and shot assists out of a cannon for the team. Why did you leave school and what made you head to play in the NAHL. Did they somehow draft you, as you said you wanted to be eligible?
TK: I went back to Juniors because I felt like it was the right move get my confidence back. I enjoyed my time at UNE and met unbelievable people I’m still close with. But hockey wise it didn’t seem like I would get the opportunity there and I still had a year left of junior eligibility. I ended up in Maine because of Matt Pinchevsky who was the assistant Coach for the Nordiques at the time, now he’s the Head Coach. We had a close relationship that stemmed from our Florida roots and I told him the situation I was in and he opened up a spot for me, which I’ll be forever grateful for.
Question 4: After another 3rd frame in juniors, you were ready to head back to school? Why Curry?
TK: I chose Curry because they are a Boston based school who is in the CCC conference which is one of the better leagues in the country at the D3 level. I knew they always had really good teams here and the team culture and cohesiveness was outstanding when I came to visit. Coach Pinchevsky who I spoke about was a Curry graduate and we thought that it was the best fit.
Question 5: You’re currently tied for the scoring lead in D3 hockey. Congratulations on the hard work done paying off. You have a new career high in assists with 15, but do you think you’ll match those 21 goals set last season where you’re at now? I’m thinking it’s possible.
TK: I’m not sure if I’ll match that total but my production is a testament to my line mates and how there good they’ve been this year. My main focus is just helping Curry win however I can. We have a great team this year and a real shot at winning a CCC championship and more so we’re all excited about that challenge and looking for the second half.
Question 6 and our final one: You’re listed as 4 years in college, yet are only considered a sophomore. Can you explain that?
TK: Haha I think I’m listed as a junior, but because I was at UNE for a half a semester credit wise I’m still a Junior. I think eligibility wise I am as well.
Thank you to Timmy Kent for answering our questions. We hope you enjoyed reading our feature.
Anna Maria College Amcats‘ sole graduate student on the 2023/2024 roster is defenseman Cam Tobey(10), as seen in preseason play at the home arena, Horgan.
He had college career highs 8 goals and 10 assists as a senior.
The 6’2″ 210 lbs. blue liner played 1 year junior hockey for Walpole Express, recording 10 goals and 13 assists in 38 EHL games after heading to Westfield State University Owls straight out of strong play at hometown Falmouth High School USHS-MA.
At 24-years old, he’s likely fully settled into his D3 hockey game and we look for him to help the team win.
Visiting him last season as he enters a year of eligibility, which he finishes 23 games with 12 points and a +8 rating, for his next move signs a 1-year deal with Knoxville Ice Bears and in his SPHL debut, he comes away with a goal.
For a 3rd straight frame, he signs a 1-year deal with the Ice Bears to continue into 2026/2027 with the team.
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 and then goes to Iowa Heartlanders.
After splitting time mostly with 2 clubs last season, he gets picked up by the new ECHL team Trenton Ironhawks for 2026/2027.
Albertus Magnus College Falcons‘ senior defenseman Connor Bertamini(6) takes some college best scoring with a third frame of 3 goals and 19 assists in 26 games with a +8 rating to a 1st pro contract with Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs, but was recently placed on 14-day ir.
From Calgary, AB, the 25-year did almost 4 years of AJHL junior with Calgary Canucks before school.
In 6 SPHL games, he has 0 points with a 0 rating, which is still good.
For his rookie season, 2026/2027, he picks up a 1-year deal to continue with the Rail Yard Dawgs.
Western Michigan University Broncos‘ sophomore right wing Bobby Cowan(19) had 2 huge sessions of USHS-MN hockey, then 1 breakthrough USHL season to his 2025/2026 college commit.
This caught the eye of New York Islanders, who 7th round drafted him in the 2026 session (#205 overall).
From Edina, MN, the 20-year will return for a 2nd year after scoring 5 goals and 19 assists in 39 games with a +3 rating in his freshman frame.
