6th year defenseman Ryan MacKinnon(4) has roughly been in Bridgeport Islanders and Worcester Railers‘ affiliation system since he started sans 1 year away, but signs for 2023/2024 with Belleville Senators to make the split once again.
Although the 6′ 201 lbs. blue liner doesn’t always show it, he definitely has the ability to put up points, mostly assists.
He started with 4 years in the QMJHL, but as soon as that wrapped with his biggest frame of 40 assists, seemed to know he was heading to University Of Prince Edward Island Panthers.
The 28-year old from Summerside, PE is definitely looking to play himself into a full AHL frame.
He actually does ok, maybe not scoring a lot and then really improves in the playoff run with good play to arrive at a new deal for 2024/2025 in the tough to play Slovak Extraliga, signing with HK Spisska Nova Ves.
In 39 games, he grabs 10 goals and 23 assists, but leaves for the IceHL and maybe struggles a bit.
For 2026/2027, he heads to DEL2 and signs with Dresdsner Eislowen, where we think fortunes shift.
Anna Maria College AMCATS‘ senior left wing Braeden McKinnon(18) scored a college hockey best 15 goals and 16 assists in 28 games with a +6 rating last season.
The 5’11” 194 lbs. forward left school with a +27 rating and always good scoring.
From Holland Landing, ON, the 25-year old signs a 1st pro contract with Knoxville Ice Bears for his rookie season, 2026/2027.
UMASS-Dartmouth Corsairs‘ senior goaltender Graham Burke(35) signs a 1st contract with 3-time FPHL Champs, Binghamton Black Bears for 2026/2027.
The 6′ 181 lbs. net minder did 2 years at Hobart College Statesmen with limited use, despite performing well.
From Wilmington, DE, the 25-year old did 2 years NAHL before school.
Salve Regina University Seahawks‘ senior left wing Logan Calder(19) had a college hockey best 17 assists and 26 points in 25 games with a +12 rating last season that he takes to a 1st pro contract in 2026/2027, his rookie frame with Birmingham Bulls.
The 5’10” 175 lbs. forward did 3 years of MJHL juniors before school.
From Portage la Prairie, MB, the 25-year old should do ok in the SPHL.
Sacred Heart University Pioneers‘ senior defenseman Noah Ellis(21) certainly liked Atlantic Hockey style play, as he scored a college hockey best 9 goals and 10 assists with a +3 rating in a high 40 games.
The 6’3″ 201 lbs. blue liner drew in from 2 years at University Of Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks.
He did 3 years USHL before heading to his 1st school, University Of Massachusetts Minutemen.
From Urbandale, IA, the 25-year old was a Vegas Golden Knights‘ 6th round pick in the 2020 draft (#184 overall), but he went unsigned.
He signs a 1st pro contract for his rookie run with Kalamazoo Wings in 2026/2027.
2nd year right wing Jacob Shankar(19) gets some pretty good rookie numbers, but gets traded to rivals Mid-South Monarchs after helping Binghamton Black Bears help win a 3rd FPHL Cup.
The 6’1″ 201 lbs. forward finished up 2 years at Institute Of Wentworth Technology Leopards transferred after transferring following his sophomore year at Concordia University Wisconsin Falcons.
He did 3 years junior hockey before college.
From Prescott, ON, the 27-year old should continue to score on the new team and will play there with his older brother.
4th year center Nolan Yaremko(57) has success scoring EIHL for Cardiff Devils in limited usage, then picks up 4 points in 4 playoff games to seal the deal of his 2026/2027 return.
The 6’1″ 205 lbs. forward, former Tri-City Americans turned pro for a bit, even scoring a 1st AHL goal, but decided to head to Mount Royal University Cougars for a degree and managed to blow up scoring in the process.
When he did turn pro, it looked to be a bit of a wonder as to why he was being reassigned, but when he was with Trois Riviere Lions was a point-per-game skater.
He split for DEL2 from there and did well, but headed for England after 1 season and is looking good.
SUNY Canton Roos‘ junior defenseman Cory Liu(24) must have not been particularly thrilled with school, leaves a year on the table to sign a 1st pro deal for his rookie campaign with Macon Mayhem in 2026/2027.
The 6’1″ 196 lbs. blue liner did 3 scattered sessions at juniors.
From Markham, ON, the 23-year may find some luck in the SPHL.
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.
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.
