CollegeHockeyPlayers

Undrafted 4th year center Derian Plouffe(11) circles back after two years away with Indy Fuel to re-sign to Newfoundland Growlers for 2021/2022.

He was part of the championship team that claimed the 2019 Kelly Cup.

The former 4-year Niagara University Purple Eagles‘ junior captain originally signed an ato after graduation with Toronto Marlies, grabbing his first three AHL points, assists.

He would sign with them for his rookie season, but was reassigned down to the ECHL club for all but one game.

It’s almost a bit surprising that the 26-year old from Nepean, ON has explored hockey life overseas, but we’re betting he does.

He will return for a 3rd season in upper eastern Canada and we think could show the best totals of his 5 year career.

For 2023/2024, he decides to venture off to try something new, signing with Lillehammer of Norway.

He takes almost point-per-game numbers to a new deal with Herning Blue Fox of Metal Ligaen, where the 29-year old should continue to do exceedingly well.

2nd year left wing Ben Berard(39) didn’t score much for Texas Stars, 1 goal and 3 assists in 30 AHL games, but did have an accountable +2 rating.

The 6′ 192 lbs. forward gets picked up by Abbotsford Canucks for 2024/2025, who see his size coming into play to put him more effectively on the scoresheet.

He scored 14 goals as a junior at Cornell University Big Red, then had 17 assists and 28 points in his senior frame.

From Duncan, BC, he played his junior hockey BCHL for Powell River Kings, scoring nicely.

We think the 25-year old does show more inclination towards scoring with his new team, but it may not be exactly breakout style, yet.

Undrafted 5th year left wing Alex Kile(23) circles back to re-sign with Maine Mariners after a year away, when they had to make the decision not to play hockey for 2020/2021.

He signed with Florida Everblades and matched his ECHL career high from 2019/2020 with 31 points, but also managed to score a new best 25 goals.

The 6′ 201 lbs. forward’s best season was likely his 2nd, as he managed three loans to the AHL, including an extended 33 game look from Laval Rocket, scoring 5 goals and 2 assists.

He was a solid skater through 4 years at University Of Michigan Wolverines, where he served as team captain as a senior.

The Troy, MI native played a pair of seasons in juniors and won the 2012 Clark Cup in his first USHL year with Green Bay Gamblers.

At 27-years old, it would be little surprise to see him leave for better opportunities overseas, unless he’s already lining up things post-playing career closer to home.

He was loaned up to Lehigh Valley Phantoms mid-season and would skate 27 games, getting 4 goals and 3 assists and be called up and returned on a couple of occasions.

For 2022/2023, he’s played his way up and scores himself an AHL contract to continue in PA.

He plays more games with affiliate Maine Mariners, putting up point-per-game numbest in the ECHL and when recalled for 19 games he scored 2 goals and 2 assists.

The now 29-year old is still impressive enough and a heck of a great teammate in the room to score a new 1-year deal to stay.

For 2024/2025, he decides to head back to the Everblades, where certainly he was able to score quite nicely and maybe concedes a little to play his hockey at a lower level, for now.

Air Force Academy Falcons‘ senior left wing Will Gavin(37) takes some very decent 10+ goals and 10+ assists through his 3 finals seasons and bests in his final frame to a 1-year AHL deal with Tuscon Roadrunners for his rookie year, 2024/2025.

The 5’10” 190 lbs. forward was also a big scorer through 2 junior USPHL NCDC runs, 2nd as captain with Northern Cyclones.

From Durham, CT, the 24-year old will do well as a pro is how we are seeing it.