Washington Capitals‘ 2nd round pick in the 2022 draft (#37 overall), 2 season USNTDP defenseman Ryan Chesley(13) is an incoming freshman at University Of Minnesota Golden Gophers and already has 2 assists in 4 games with a +3 rating.
The 6’2″ 205 lbs. skater was a decent scorer in the junior program following up good totals he posted at Shattuck St. Mary’s 14U & 16U AAA.
So, that he comes out hot in his college career is maybe not to surprising for the only 18-year old.
After his 3rd year at school, he decides to sign a 3-year NHL entry level deal and is sent to affiliate Hershey Bears on an ato to start his pro career.
In 4 games, he grabs a 1st AHL goal and 2 assists, but figures in no playoff matchups.
Boston University Terriers‘ Swedish-born, sophomore defenseman Tom Willander(5) decides to sign his 3-year NHL entry level deal as offered by his draft team, Vancouver Canucks (1st round, 2023, #11 overall) for 2025/2026.
The 6’1″ 191 lbs. blue liner had a college best 39 games played and 22 assists with a +19 rating.
He did all his youth hockey and junior hockey back home, even getting into 2 SHL games for Rogle BK before coming to school.
The 20-year old is likely ready to turn pro.
University Of Michigan Wolverines‘ junior left wing Jackson Hallum(21) scores maybe a little conservative, but college best 8 goals and ties his 17 points from his freshman frame to being wooed by draft team (3rd round, 2020, #91 overall) Vegas Golden Knights to sign his 2-year NHL entry level deal.
The 6′ 194 lbs. forward from Eagan, MN scored well through 2 USHL junior sessions before school.
At 22-years old, he could be reassigned to start, but should play hard to impress a look.
Harvard University Crimson senior, 2nd year captain, center Zakary Karpa(59) is a New York Rangers‘ 6th round pick in the 2022 draft (#191 overall).
The 6’2″ 190 lbs. forward has yet to really score, despite how he plays mostly using his fairly large frame.
He did 1 year USNTDP before playing for a pair of USHL teams before heading to school.
From Greenwich, CT, the 22-year old might not be automatic to score an entry level contract, but we think produces as a pro.
In his last season, he scores just 1 goal and 6 assists in 31 games, but stays on the team who selected him’s radar and he signs for 2025/2026 with their affiliate Hartford Wolf Pack to an AHL deal.
12th year center Sean Collins(61) has been league jumping for the past couple seasons, going through the KHL, DEL, Liiga and the SL to finally arrived at Steinbach Black Wings Linz of IceHL for 2023/2024 .
Originally a Columbus Blue Jackets‘ 7th round pick in 2008 (#168 overall), he was able to get in a few games with the big club, recording a few assists, but no goals.
The solid 6’3″ 190 lbs. forward has played 278 AHL games, scoring 71 goals and 91 assists with a +23 rating.
From Saskatoon, AB, the 33-year old 4-year Cornell University Big Red senior, assistant captain scorer has to be happy with the way things are going, having come off a season, scoring a best 27 goals and 30 assists.
He is playing good hockey, scoring points, helping his team win, where he is at, so is staying put for a 3rd season in a Wings‘ jersey.
University Of New Hampshire Wildcats‘ senior defenseman Colton Huard(12) signs a 2-year AHL deal with Charlotte Checkers, that will officially start 2025/2026, but joins the team for a playoff push on an ato.
He did 2 USHL seasons, scoring well in his last before college with 18 assists and a +34 rating, en route to a 2021 Clark Cup Championship.
The big 6’4″ 225 lbs. from Foothill Ranch, CA 24-year old should do very well.
University Of Minnesota Golden Gophers‘ 2023/2024 commit, 2nd year USNTDP center Oliver Moore(11) is 2023 draft eligible.
The 5’11” 176 lbs. forward was basically a point-per-game scorer through his 2 years in juniors.
A Mounds View, MN native, the 18-year old is likely sitting on his hands, but not for long as he is selected in the 1st round, #19 overall by Chicago Blackhawks.
After 2 seasons of college hockey, running up 21 goals and 45 assists with an overall +29 rating, he decides to sign with the team that selected him.
In 9 NHL games, he recorded no points.
Boston College Eagles‘ senior captain defenseman Eamon Powell(11) maybe a little quietly this season amassed a college best 26 assists to go with his 5 goals that match those junior totals in 34 games with a +19 rating.
The 6′ 177 lbs. blue liner had a team high 2 assists in the Hockey East quarterfinals’ win over the weekend to advance to the next round.
A Marcellus, NY native, the young 21-year old is a Tampa Bay Lightning 4th round pick in the 2020 draft (#116 overall) and will be a watch to sign an NHL entry level deal.
The rights to ink are left to expire, so he becomes an unrestricted free agent.
He signs a 1-year AHL deal with Charlotte Checkers to start 2025/2026, but will jump in for the playoffs on an ato, and already has a 1st goal and assist in 5 games.
Boston University Terriers‘ freshman right wing Devin Kaplan(12) got a pair in a weeknight 6-2 home win over UMass Minutemen to earn 1st star honors.
The big 6’3″ 206 lbs. forward has 6 goals and 9 assists in 20 games with a +9 rating.
He was selected by Philadelphia Flyers in the 3rd round of 2022 (#69 overall) after he lit up his 2nd season at USNTDP with 8 goals and 10 assists in 22 USHL with a +18 and even better numbers for USDP.
It will be interesting to see how long the 19-year old from Bridgewater, NJ sticks with his college career.
After a junior year, serving as assistant captain, scoring fairly decently, he will leave a year on the table to sign a 3-year NHL entry level deal.
He makes his debut on the last night of regular season, skates 16 shifts for 12:12 ice time with 1 hit and left a 5-4 loss with a -1 rating.
Still nice to get on the big ice.
Schwenninger Wild Wings‘ 3rd year defenseman Will Weber(78) will hang around for a 4th frame, as he signs a 1-year extension through 2024/2025.
The big 6’4″ 227 lbs. blue liner doesn’t necessarily put up a lot of points, but is a fairly accountable, very large presence out there.
Originally a Columbus Blue Jackets‘ 2nd round pick in the 2007 draft (#57 overall), he only twice had 10+ assists.
The first time was his sophomore season at Miami University (Ohio) Redhawks and the 2nd was his 1st session of DEL for Fischtown Pinguins.
At 35-years old, he has to be glad he’s still pulling down good contracts to play pro hockey.
Add another season, as he will skate for a 6th frame in a Wild Wings‘ jersey that he is looking mighty comfortable in lately.
