Category: College Hockey Player

Undrafted 3rd year center Max Willman(10) has quite the unlikely, surprise hockey story to tell.

Upon finishing up his one year in a graduate program at Boston University Terriers after a transfer from Brown University Bears, he signed an ECHL contract to join Reading Royals.

The 6′ 183 lbs. forward was loaned up to Lehigh Valley Phantoms a couple of months into his rookie run and earned an spc, mostly staying in the AHL, earning 3 goals and 6 assists in 24 games before the season exploded with no playoffs.

He re-signed to stay and in a weirdo season with like 3 constant opponents, he ascended to a career high 9 goals, 7 assists and 16 points with a +7 in just 30 games.

His efforts have earned him an NHL 2-year, 2-way deal with Philadelphia Flyers that starts in the upcoming frame.

The 26-year old is likely all smiles heading into 2021/2022.

And the story continues to take the strangest turns, as the Barnstable, MA native has made the opening night roster of the Broad Street Bullies and skated 13 shifts for 9:30 of total ice with one shot on net, one hit, 2 minutes in the sin bin and left the 5-4 shootout loss a -1 rating.

An unrestricted free agent, he signs a 1-year 2-way deal with New Jersey Devils for 2023/2024.

In 18 games with the big club, he scores 3 goals and 1 assist with a +1 rating and he scores himself another year, another look in a Devils‘ jersey.

After 69 games on reassignment with Utica Comets, scoring 10 goals and 20 assist, he is off for his next venture, signing with Barys Astana of the KHL for 2025/2026.

Princeton University Tigers‘ sophomore center Nick Seitz(13) worked out a deal to take 2020/2021 away from school after skating as a freshman to play another full season of juniors with close by New Jersey Titans, as the college team was put on pause due to the pandemic.

The rugged 6’1″ 190 lbs. forward scored a new junior hockey best 19 goals and 28 assists for 43 points with a +11 rating in 49 NAHL games.

He has already bettered his totals from his 1st campaign to a pair of goals and 2 assists in 13 NCAA Division 1 games.

The New York, NY native definitely knows how to win, as he was part of back-to-back youth hockey championships for North Jersey Avalanche 16U AAA.

At 21-years old, it seems like this undrafted player is just getting started with an eye towards what might go next.

He finishes off with a 23 point college best and signs for his rookie year with Coventry Blaze of the EIHL and we think he will do exceedingly well there.

With plenty good enough scoring 30 goals and 29 assists in 54 games last season, he is highly sought after and signs with rivals Sheffield Steelers for 2025/2026.

After just 2 games, he is dealt to Guilford Flames, who could definitely use his point scoring in their lineup.

Undrafted center, captain David Jankowski(14) takes a college career best 12 assists and 16 points to a new school hockey endeavor at Michigan Tech University Huskies from 4 years at St. Lawrence University Saints.

The 6’1″ 175 lbs. forward from Dundas, ON played two seasons of juniors in the CCHL, but he really came alive in his 2nd frame, connecting for most goals (38), most points (90) and league MVP.

We think the 25-year old will find more open room to score in the CCHA and may even get to join his NHL brother Mark Jankowski on a minor league deal.

He somehow would continue to score 4 goals as he did from his sophomore frame on after getting 8 as a freshman, then signed an ato with Wheeling Nailers, striking for 3 goals and 3 assists in 7 games with a +2 rating.

His efforts don’t go unnoticed, as he agrees to stay on for 2023/2024.

Through 69 ECHL games, he puts in a strong performance with 11 goals, 26 assists and a +9 rating.

Little doubt, he’s seeing the light, following his best season and will return for a 2nd.

He run exact totals in his 2 seasons with the team, but is traded to Norfolk Admirals, who will utilize his scoring prowess with great ability.

University Of Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves‘ graduate center Tanner Edwards(14) already has a college best scoring with just 2 goals and 4 assists in 15 games to go along with a +3 rating is doing nicely.

The 6’1″ 170 lbs. returns home to play a year of eligibility and only ever appeared in 21 games through 4 years at Minnesota State University Mavericks.

He is easily being used and is excelling in all game situations.

The 24-year old does look great out there with his new club and has to have a smile on his face every game.

He plays a new high, by a mile 31 games, scoring 3 goals and 5 assists, then signs a 1st pro contract with Florida Everblades for his rookie season, 2025/2026.

Waived close to the calendar year, he is quickly scooped by Toledo Walleye.

He gets into 1 ECHL game with his new team and South Carolina Stingrays come seeking his duties in a trade for future considerations.

Great side story, his dad, Jeff actually played for the team in the late 90’s.

University Of Massachusetts Minutemen sophomore, left wing Taylor Makar(6) is starting to pop scoring with 7 goals and 2 assists in 19 games.

The fairly sizable 6’4″ 209 lbs. forward was a Colorado Avalanche 7th round pick in the 2021 draft (#220 overall), which could very well put him on the same team as his Stanley Cup winning, NHL Best Defenseman brother, Cale Makar.

He has yet to prove he has the same depth, but did take his scoring up in his 3rd season with AJHL junior team, Brooks Bandits before getting selected.

The Calgary, AB native is big and looks to be starting to use his size to his advantage, which will definitely create room for him to score.

For his senior year, he decides to head off to Hockey East rival, University Of Maine Black Bears for 2024/2025 and he’s off to a huge start with 4 goals and 3 assists in 4 games.

There’s little doubt he will post some college hockey bests, but 18 goals and 12 assists in 38 games with a +24 rating and he is ready to sign and does on a 1-year NHL deal.

He reports to affiliate Colorado Eagles on an ato to get things started.

Starting the season in the AHL, he skates 10 games, scoring 1 goal and 3 assists with a +4 rating to score a 1st appearance in the big league.

He skates just 8 shifts for 6:07 ice time in a 3-2 overtime loss.

Clarkson University Golden Knights‘ Swiss-born, junior left wing Ray Just(23) enters the transfer portal a 2nd time to do his senior frame at Sacred Heart University Pioneers, 2025/2026.

He twice had 9 points at his 1st commit, University Of Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks.

The pretty big, 6’4″ 209 lbs. forward bounced around juniors for a couple seasons, but did pretty well and blew up scoring as a 1-year senior in high school.

In 6 games, he has 1 goal, but definitely looks like he is ready to affect the scoresheet in Atlantic Hockey play.

University Of North Dakota Fighting Hawks‘ graduate center Chris Jandric(7) signs for his 2nd pro season with ERC Ingolstadt 2025/2026 after a 40 assist season as a rookie with a +23 rating.

Then the 5’11” 180 lbs. forward scored another 13 points in 21 games to capture the 2025 ECHL Kelly Cup Championship.

He had a college best scoring 29 assists last year.

From Prince George, BC, we look for the 27-year old to continue to do well.

Northern Cyclones‘ 1st year right wing Carson Strapon(15) takes some decent best numbers of 12 goals and 9 assists in 49 USPHL/NCDC games, then added another 7 points (4/3) in 10 playoff matchups.

The 6’1″ 181 lbs. power forward style will take his game to a 2025/2026 commits close to home at University Of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Blugolds.

From Hudson, WI, the 21-year old played himself up in the junior ranks.

He was a good scorer at USHS-WI and we expect him to find the net.

5th year center Troy Josephs(16) signs on for a 2nd season with HC Lugano, continuing his climb up Swiss Hockey leagues.

He skated for EHC Visp of the tier 2 SL, when arriving from North America.

The 6′ 194 lbs. was originally a Pittsburgh Penguins‘ 7th round pick in the 2013 draft (#209 overall), but only signed an AHL deal with affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

He was two years in the system, but mostly reassigned down to Wheeling Nailers, where he exploded on the scoresheet as a more than point-per-game player and eventually just signed an ECHL contract.

There’s little doubt the 27-year, former 4-year Clarkson University Golden Knights‘ old found his footing immediately overseas and will continue to do so, as he climbs.

He would end up a 2nd full session with the NL club, putting up 5 goals and 15 assists that he will take to a new, bold opportunity, signing a 1-year deal with Lada Togliatti of the KHL.

Doing best in his first run at Russian hockey, he scores 20 goals, but is fairly consistent as he travels between a couple of teams and for 2025/2026 will head to a 3rd, signing with HK Sochi.

After 10 games with 2 assists, not sure what has occurred, but he becomes available to Shanghai Dragons to sign for the term.