2nd year defenseman, Ryan Dickinson(17) was traded to Kalamazoo Wings to begin 2025/2026, but after 6 ECHL games with no points, Orlando Solar Bears spot him and pick him up for future considerations.
The 6’3″ 209 lbs. blue liner had 1 goal and 9 assists in 53 games last season for Worcester Railers.
He scored similarly as a sophomore and junior at SUNY-Oswego Lakers.
From Brighton, MI, the 26-year old originally went to Ohio State University Buckeyes after 4 years NAHL juniors.
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Princeton University Tigers‘ graduate right wing Adam Robbins(10) finishes up 5 years at school and signs a 1st pro deal with the new ECHL team Lake Tahoe Knight Monsters for 2024/2025.
The 5’8″ 158 lbs. forward played his junior hockey in the USHL for Chicago Steel and even went back for a season that his college team took off due to COVID restrictions.
He takes some college career best numbers with him, 11 goals and 18 assists in 30 games last season.
From Alpine, NJ, he did all his youth hockey local, the 24-year old will be a nice addition to the young lineup.
He does decently in his initial season, but is a free agent and signs a new deal with Adirondack Thunder for 2025/2026.
After just 4 games, he decides to up and leave for the EIHL and signs with Coventry Blaze.
Lindenwood University Lions‘ senior left wing David Gagnon(27) initially signed with Rapid City Rush upon graduation, where he scored 6 goals and 2 assists in 20 games.
The 6′ 181 lbs. forward signed with Chicago Wolves for his rookie season, 2025/2026 on a 2-way deal.
He has been dispatched to affiliate Greensboro Gargoyles, making quite an impression with 5 goals in 11 ECHL games.
From Halifax, NS, the 25-year old should continue to excel.
5th year Fife Flyers‘ defenseman Justin Bean(26) has 7 assists in 7 EIHL games to start the 2025/2026 season.
He recorded an ECHL best 7 goals and 28 assists last season with Maine Mariners.
The 6’3″ 205 lbs. blue liner from Pickering, ON did 4 years in juniors, then 5 at York University Lions, taking the COVID 2020/2021 off.
At 29-years old, he seemingly has found a good league to play in.
Northern Michigan University Wildcats‘ graduate defenseman Bo Hanson(3) is set to turn pro and signs a 1-year 2022/2023 ECHL deal to skate for Jacksonville Icemen.
He played 9 games on an ato for Wheeling Nailers after graduating last season, scoring 2 assists with a +3 rating.
The 6’2″ 205 lbs. blue liner has hit 10+ assists three times, twice while at St. Lawrence University Saints.
He also did his senior year on the interim at University Of Denver Pioneers.
The 24-year old from Boise, ID will likely have a fantastic rookie season.
After a decent enough 1st year playing pro hockey, he’s off and gone to Metal Ligaen, signing up with Aalborg Pirates to play Danish-style in 2023/2024.
He has an outstanding season in Denmark, scoring 7 goals and 20 assists in 45 games with a +26 rating, then adds another 5 assists in 14 playoff matchups.
For 2024/2025, it looks like he wants to go with a championship, as he signs with Belfast Giants of the EIHL.
After 51 games, he scores 2 goals and 28 assists with a +35 rating and goes on to help the team win the 2025 Championship, so he is an easy ask to return to be a Giants for 2025/2026.
8th year goaltender Michael Garteig(34) signs on for a 2nd DEL season with ERC Ingolstadt after appearing in 42 games, posting a 25-15 record with a 2.22 GAA and .914 SV%.
A bit oddly, it’s the 1st time he has signed twice with a team.
The undrafted 6’1″ 190 lbs. net minder originally signed a 1-year NHL entry level deal with Vancouver Canucks after an outstanding 4-year run at Quinnipiac University Bobcats.
For his 3rd season he signed an ECHL contract to tend net for Newfoundland Growlers, a team on the other end of Canada from where he was born, Prince George, BC.
With a 23-14-6 record in the regular frame, then 16-6-1 in the playoffs, he backstopped the team to the 2019 Kelly Cup Championship.
He left a storybook career at BCHL juniors with awards in his name, so it’s almost mystical to see the 31-year old settle down for a 1st time.
After spending a 4th season with the same club, he moves on to rivals, Augsburger Panther in 2025/2026.
Curry College Colonels‘ senior defenseman Jacob Crespo(5) signs a 1st pro deal with Twin City Thunderbirds after he was traded for his rookie run, 2025/2026.
The 5’8″ 165 lbs. blue liner from Red Bank, NJ cycled decently through a couple of junior leagues before college.
He had his best season as a junior with 1 goal and 4 assists in 24 games.
The 25-year old has played 1 FPHL game to start.
Arizona State University Sun Devils‘ senior captain defenseman Ethan Szmagaj(3) signs a pro deal for his rookie season, 2025/2026 with Reading Royals after being picked up on a trade.
The 6′ 194 lbs. blue liner had his best scoring season as a sophomore with 10 assists and then in his junior frame had 3 goals and was a +6 performer.
From Canton, MI, the 24-year has 2 assists in 2 ECHL games to start his pro career.
He plays 8 games and gets himself traded to Orlando Solar Bears.
2nd year left wing Christian Sarlo(15) is late start traded to Indy Fuel for 2025/2026.
The 6′ 187 lbs. forward last year skated as a rookie with Maine Mariners, scoring 14 goals and 17 assists in 55 ECHL games.
From Lynbrook, NY, the former Penn State University Nittany Lions 4-year graduate scored best as a junior.
The 24-year old had 2 successful USHL years before school.
10th year defenseman Luke Witkowski(4) returns to Springfield Thunderbirds, where he played 16 regular season games, then 17 in the playoffs after a trade from Detroit Red Wings sent him to St. Louis Blues‘ system.
The sizable 6’2″ 209 lbs. blue liner doesn’t exactly score a lot of points in his 324 AHL games, but does have a nice +38 rating for accountability.
In 132 NHL games, the former Tampa Bay Lightning 6th round pick in the 2008 draft (#160 overall) has 2 goals and 11 assists.
He was a senior captain at Western Michigan University Broncos and 3-time lead guy for Syracuse Crunch.
The 32-year old from Holland, MI is likely smiling with each big contracts he still gets.
For 2023/2024, he has made the decision to try something completely new and heads to Finland to join Tappara and will play his games in Liiga.
Switzerland was good enough fun for the now 34-year old, but will elevate his game a little by signing in the SHL with Skelleftea AIK for 2024/2025.
He waits a minute after skating 25 regular season, then 11 in the playoffs to sign with rivals, Brynas IF for 2025/2026.
