CollegeHockeyPlayers

Merrimack College Warriors‘ graduate center Ryan Leibold(16) signs a 1st pro deal with South Carolina Stingrays.

He transferred from 4 solid seasons at Holy Cross College Crusaders, where he had a college career high as a senior, 10 goals and 16 assists in 35 games with a +3 rating in Atlantic Hockey play.

The looks smaller 5’10” 194 lbs. forward is a spark plug on the ice and despite maybe not always getting points is right in the play at all times.

From Ashburn, VA, the 24-year old with 5 years of extra school under his belt should be able to assimilate himself nicely into the pro ranks.

He even got himself a pair of assists in a crushing 11-0 win against another top ranked ECHL team.

In 9 games, he scores a 1st league goal and adds 3 assists to earn himself a full look for his rookie season 2023/2024.

After a successful 1st pro frame, scoring 14 goals and 16 assists in 65 games with a +1 rating, he re-signs to stay with the Stingrays for 2024/2025.

He plays 5 games into his 2nd season scoring 2 assists and gets traded to Reading Royals, where he has 1 helper in 2 games.

Through 62 games, he had 12 goals and 8 assists, but Jacksonville Icemen see more of a use for him, so trade to get him.

Northeastern University Huskies‘ graduate defenseman, Pito Walton(8) is off to a hot start with his new team, getting the 1st goal of the 2023/2024 season and adding another tally the next night.

The 6’2″ 200 lbs. blue liner has come over from Princeton University Tigers and is making an impact, setting up a next move post college for the big man on d.

He had 7 goals and 14 assist in his final ECAC season and scores a darn close 6 goals and 12 assists in the slightly more difficult Hockey East play, but is really a pivotal +8 rating player on this team.

Upon finishing up a 5th year of college, he signs with Florida Everblades that should have him see some good action from the get-go, but unfortunately only played 1 ECHL game before being released, quickly picked up by Savannah Ghost Pirates for a look and has 1 assist in 4 games.

For 2024/2025, he re-signs with the Ghost Pirates for his rookie season.

After 14 games, with his 1st pro goal and 3 assists, he is traded to Idaho Steelheads, where he should see better success.

In 23 games, the Peacock, NJ native has 2 assists with a -4, but is wanted by another team for their back end, so is traded for future considerations to Worcester Railers, bringing him back to where he did his last year of college.

He scores 2 goals and 3 assists in 14 games last season, but is traded to Tulsa Oilers, who look to add him for 2025/2026.

Clarkson University Golden Knights‘ graduate goaltender Ethan Langenegger(1) put up college career best numbers last year 22-10-2 record, 2.14 GAA and .914 SV%.

The 6’1″ 190 lbs. net minder initially signed with Syracuse Crunch upon completion of tournament play and got 1 AHL start.

For his rookie season, 2025/2026 the 4-year Lake Superior State University Lakers stays in the system and signs with Orlando Solar Bears, where he will easily have eyes upon him from higher levels.

From Kamloops, BC, we have seen him play and expect the 25-year old to do well.

Lindenwood University Lions‘ graduate defenseman Brenden Rons(5) hasn’t ever been exactly known for points and this season evened his 3 assist mark he set as a junior at Ferris State University Bulldogs.

The XL 6’5″ 220 lbs. blue liner did 3 years of mostly NAHL junior hockey, in his last season as captain for Topeka Pilots grabbing 17 assists.

From Farmington Hills, MI, the 25-year old will be an interesting watch to see what might develop next.

In 27 games, he gets 3 assists and takes that to a 1st pro contract with Rapid City Rush for his rookie season, 2024/2025.

He skates a total of 1 game with his new team and is traded to Worcester Railers for future considerations.

In 15 games, he grabs a 1st ECHL goal and 1 assist, then returns to Peoria Rivermen for the SPHL playoffs.

For 2025/2026, he re-signs to return, but we feel will easily be loaned back up.