Category: College Hockey Player

07Aug

Pierson Brandon (16)

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UMASS-Lowell Riverhawks‘ graduate transfer defenseman Pierson Brandon(16) from last year captain at Colgate University Raiders, tying a college best 15 points, also set as a sophomore.

The 6′ 190 lbs. plays a very solid, close checking game in his zone.

He did 2 successful NAHL seasons for Aberdeen Wings, scoring pretty well.

From New York, NY, the 23-year old looks great out there.

He signed after tournament play with Adirondack Thunder, but didn’t appear in any ECHL games before the team’s season ended.

It looks like he will return to skate a full rookie frame in 2025/2026.

In 17 games, he records 2 assists with a +2 rating and gets an invite to return as a Thunder for 2026/2027.

06Aug

Neil Shea (27)

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Undrafted, junior left wing Neil Shea(27) has played most of his hockey relatively close to home (Marshfield, MA), but after two underperforming seasons at Northeastern University Huskies, he’s branching out to leave for well, Connecticut, joining Sacred Heart University Pioneers in 2021/2022.

He was a prolific scorer when he committed to college in his 1st year at Lawrence Academy, then took it up a notch in his senior season with 24 goals and 34 assists in 32 USHS-Prep games before taking up with draft club, Cedar Rapids RoughRiders for 11 USHL games (1 goal, 2 assists).

The 6’1″ 205 lbs. forward was once again selected and skated his only full season of juniors for Chicago Steel, scoring 15 goals and 28 assists.

It’s possible the switch to Atlantic Hockey style play will connect with the 22-year old’s ability to amass points.

The Massachusetts’ native has scored big with his switch of schools, amassing decent scoring with 4 goals and 10 assists, blowing away his previous college marks, in 20 NCAA Division 1 games.

He finishes up a 2nd season at his new school with a new college best 14 goals and signs a 1st contract, an ato with Chicago Wolves to test the waters.

No doubt, he will have to step up his game to score in the AHL.

He gets a 1st goal in the league and adds 1 assist in 6 games with a +3 rating as a newly turned pro.

For 2023/2024, Toronto Marlies are liking what they see and sign him to a 1-year minor league deal as an official rookie.

He actually skates 64 ECHL games for affiliate Newfoundland Growlers, scoring 18 goals and 19 assists, but is moving on and signs with Colorado Eagles for 2024/2025.

In 8 contests, he scores 1 goal and 2 assists, but on reassignment to affiliate Utah Grizzlies popped 19 goals and 20 assists in 36 games to earn another year to wear an Eagles‘ jersey more often than not.

We are a little unsure of the detail of him leaving to sign with Greenville Swamp Rabbits, but that is where he shows up under a new contract and should help them on the scoresheet.

In 21 games, he scores 4 times and 11 assists to easily earn an invite back to be a Swamp Rabbits in 2026/2027.

06Aug

Wyllum Deveaux (4)

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Harvard University Crimson graduate left wing Wyllum Deveaux(4) always looks like he should be putting up points, when he’s on the ice, but somehow through 26 games, this season has recorded but 1 assist.

Last year, as a senior was a breakout season for the fairly big 6’2″ 205 lbs. forward, as he got 1 goal and 1 assist, his college best.

What’s the likely irony is the 22-year old, Sackville, NS native will turn pro and start scoring.

You watch.

For 2023/2024, he picks up his 1st deal and signs for 1-year ECHL with Maine Mariners, who must have seen him play at school.

You watch, goals and assists will come.

Just as predicted, his rookie totals were 13 goals and 11 assists in 46 games with a +6 rating, earning him another season in a Mariners‘ uniform.

The captain will return for a 3rd season in a Maine uniform, 2025/2026 after playing a new high 66 games, scoring bests 19 goals and 12 assists.

Injury limits him to only 7 games last season, but he is still wanted to return to the Mariners in 2026/2027.

06Aug

Joey Larson (17)

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Michigan State University Spartans‘ junior right wing Joey Larson(17) leaves a year on the table to as an unrestricted free agent signs a 1-year NHL entry level deal with New York Islanders and went to affiliate Bridgeport Islanders on an ato to score 2 AHL goals and 1 assist in 6 games.

The 6’1″ 196 lbs. forward had 3 seasons of 10+ goals and assists scoring, including as a freshman at Northern Michigan University Wildcats.

From Brighton, MI, he was a point-per-game player in his final USHL campaign before college.

In 63 games, he scores 17 goals and 11 assists on a bit of a tough luck team, but he is signed to return for the next 2 years to stay an Islanders.

06Aug

Colin Tracy (27)

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Plymouth State University Panthers‘ graduate defenseman Colin Tracy(27) signs a 1st pro contract with Evansville Thunderbolts for his rookie frame, 2025/2026.

The 6’3″ 190 lbs. blue liner scored a new college best 2 goals and 9 assists last season in 21 games with a +8 rating.

From Manchester, NH, the 25-year old should score more in the FPHL.

He actually has shown up on Pee Dee Pride roster; we think on a trade, but are still looking into it.

Turns out, he was with the club for 2 games with 1 assist, but moved on to Indiana Sentinels, where he had 3 assists in 10 games to get loaned up to Knoxville Ice Bears for 3 appearances before being SPHL traded to Birmingham Bulls for the rest of 2025/2026.

In 29 games, he scores 4 goals and 5 assists with a +11 rating to sign on for an extension 2026/2027 to stay a Bulls.

05Aug

Danton Heinen (43)

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6th year left wing Danton Heinen(43) doesn’t find the right fit with Anaheim Ducks, who he was traded to late in 2019/2020 to by long time club Boston Bruins and signed for another year after producing 3 goals and an assist in 9 NHL games to start.

He seemed to mostly struggle on a non-winning team and wasn’t qualified to receive another deal.

Last year was easily an anomaly for the 6’1″ 188 lbs. forward, who signed a 1-year deal for $1.1 AAV a little late into free agency with Pittsburgh Penguins for 2021/2022.

The still only 26-year old, 2-year University Of Denver standout should be able to excel with the talent around him in PA.

For 2023/2024, as an unrestricted free agent looking for a new home, he accepts a training camp invite from his old haunt in Boston.

He comes into town, takes nothing for granted, works hard to gain notice and nets himself a 1-year contract worth $775 AAV.

Coming away with 36 points in 72 games with a +16 rating is all good and Vancouver Canucks swoop in, offering a 2-year deal at $2.25 AAV to move coasts.

After 51 games, he is traded back to Pittsburgh Penguins.

In the new season, he is reassigned to affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins for some games in the current frame, but is recalled to trade to Columbus Blue Jackets.

After 33 games with 5 goals, 5 assists and a +6 rating, he gets an invite back to stay a Blue Jackets for 2026/2027.