Union College Dutchmen senior right wing Caden Villegas(36) had a college best 22 assists in his final season.
The 5’8″ 174 lbs. forward from Plano, TX moved through the ranks of youth hockey before heading to juniors, where he moved up before college.
He signed a 1st pro deal with Adirondack Thunder and in 12 ECHL games, recorded 1 goal and 2 assists.
For his rookie run, he will need a contract.
He finally does come around to sign a 1-year deal to remain a Thunder for 2025/2026, but actually changes things up to become a free agent and signs for a 1st year with Maine Mariners instead.
Through 21 games with 1 goal and 5 assists, he leaves for Swindon Wildcats of the NIHL, maybe to prove something for his game going for the next step forward.
Scoring does blow up for 15 goals and 23 assists in 20 games to re-sign and stay a Wildcats for 2026/2027.
Franklin Pierce University Ravens‘ Australian-born, sophomore defenseman Declan Bronte(27) came over from just 2 games use at Salem State University Vikings, as a freshman.
He played only 11 games in 2023/2024, scoring 1 assist.
The 5’10” 160 lbs. blue liner did 2 EHL years with Connecticut Chiefs, and even left to head back home to play some pro hockey in the AIHL with CBR Brave, scoring quite nicely.
He looks to be doing that each season now, which is a great idea.
The 22-year old from Melbourne is a good hockey story.
He actually finished up with 2 years at Fitchburg State University Falcons, scoring best as a senior with 3 goals and 5 assists in a high 26 games and turns pro as tournament play wraps up, signing with Danbury Hat Tricks.
American International College Yellowjackets‘ junior defenseman Blake Danjos(5) potentially was looking to stay at his 1st school for more than 1 season, but turns out they are sitting a year out, as they switch to Division 3 for 2026/2027.
The 5’10” 174 lbs. blue liner initially committed at Arizona State University Sun Devils, then went to Sacred Heart University Pioneers for his sophomore campaign.
From St. Louis, MO, the 23-year old played 3 junior sessions with his best coming up last in the USHL, where he did really well and he heads to Long Island University Sharks for his senior frame.
After completing 32 games with his 4th college club, scoring a 2nd time 3 assists, he signs a 1st pro deal with Greensboro Gargoyles.
Harvard University Crimson‘ senior defenseman Kyle Aucoin(33) will look to extend a year and head a little closer to home at Miami University (Ohio) Redhawks for a graduate start in 2025/2026.
The 6′ 185 lbs. hard-hitting d-man doesn’t score much, getting a college high 2 goals and 2 assists in 28 games last season.
From Ottawa, ON, the 23-year old is a Detroit Red Wings‘ 6th round pick of 2020 (#156 overall), but his rights were traded to Tampa Bay Lightning.
His dad is Adrian Aucoin.
Left unsigned by draft team, he agrees with Indy Fuel after tournament play concludes.
Providence College Friars‘ sophomore right wing Michael Citara(28) enters the transfer portal after only pulling into 8 games (1 goal, 1 assist) last season and arrives at Hockey East rival Merrimack College Warriors for 2023/2024.
The 5’10” 175 lbs. forward had only 1 USHL junior frame for Sioux Falls Stampede, but did well with 17 goals and 18 assists in 51 games.
From New Hope, PA, the 21-year old may find more room to score and make plays with his new team.
He plays in 31 games with decent scoring, but manages to appear in only 9 as a senior, so will go for a year of eligibility, enter the transfer portal and next play for University Of Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks in 2025/2026.
In 33 games, he opens up scoring 16 goals and 15 assists, huge increases on his college scoring bests.
After winning the United Collegiate Hockey Cup, as the top independent team, he signs with Norfolk Admirals.
Augsburger Panther‘ left wing TJ Trevelyan(24) signs on for what must be a record for one player, 15th season with the club.
He has 8 seasons of 10+ goals and 8 of 10+ assists and 7 worth 20+ points.
The 5’9″ 172 lbs. forward did 5 years of the AHL, scoring pretty big after graduating St. Lawrence University Skating Saints.
From Mississauga, ON, the 41-year old doesn’t want to quit.
But after a career low 20 games played for 4 goals and 3 assists, he ticks another year and decides it’s time.
In all likelihood, he should stay with the club he has mostly been with.
Long Island University Sharks‘ senior transfer from Merrimack College Warriors, defenseman Trevor Griebel(2) looks like a man on a mission out there.
The 5’10” 165 lbs. blue liner did 2 years BCHL, then 2 USHL before college.
From Tampa, FL, the 24-year looks to figure into all games with the team this season.
He plays a college best 30 games, scoring a tie for his 2 goals, but 18 assists blows away that category for him.
When their new indy tournament play concludes, he signs with Jacksonville Icemen and has a 1st ECHL goal in 2 games with a +1 rating.
Anchorage, AK native, right wing Max Helgeson(32) spent the last pair of seasons skating for the nearby home team Kenai River Brown Bears, putting up spectacular numbers.
The fairly big 6’1″ 185 lbs. power forward scored a junior career high 19 goals but really came even further to life in the playoffs with 5 goals and 3 assists in 9 NAHL games with a +4 rating in what ended in the division finals.
He had to wait until the end of his 2nd campaign but he commits to Lindenwood University D2 for next year but D1 starting 2022/2023.
The 20-year old who came up through youth hockey at home, then also had an amazing run with Iowa Wild 18U AAA dropping 19 goals and 13 assists in 35 T1EHL 18U contests will easily turn heads once he arrives at school.
He spends only 1 year there and transfers to head back home for the University Of Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves for 3 seasons, averaging 10+ goals and assists.
For 2025/2026, he has decided to do a year of eligibility and heads to Miami University (Ohio) Redhawks.
In 36 games, he scores a nice 10 goals and 10 assists and is a +10 rating that he takes to a 1st pro contract with Cincinnati Cyclones.
Providence College Friars‘ freshman left wing Chase Dafoe(37) is off to try another school to play his game after appearing in only 8 last season.
The 6’3″ 201 lbs. forward signs on with University Of Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks for his sophomore session and from all accounts is excited for a new start all the way across the country.
Born in Beverly, MA, when his dad, Byron Dafoe(34) was tending net for Boston Bruins, the 21-year old should find a new lease on hockey life.
He scores a college best 13 goals and 8 assists in a high 33 games as a senior and captain and helps his team win a 1st United Collegiate Hockey Cup, comprised of independent D1 teams.
Upon completion, he signs a 2-year AHL contract with Rockford Icehogs through 2026/2027.
Penn State University Nittany Lions‘ graduate defenseman Tanner Palocsik(34) takes a 4th season (no hockey 2020/2021 COVID) of 10+ assists to a real good, 1st pro contract as a rookie with Toledo Walleye in 2024/2025.
The 5’11” 190 lbs. blue liner was very successful in 2 USPHL/NCDC seasons with Jersey Hitmen.
He transferred from 4 years at Dartmouth University Big Green.
From Aliquippa, PA, the 25-year old will likely do well for himself in the ECHL.
In 50 games, he scores just 1 goal and 2 assists and decides he will move on and joins Les Jokers de Cergy-Pontoise of Ligue Magnus for 2025/2026.
Turns out after just 4 games away, he would like to return and re-signs with the Walleye.
In 21 games this season, he scores 1 goal and 5 assists with a +8 rating, but somehow gets himself traded to Wichita Thunder for future considerations.
