American International College Yellowjackets‘ junior center Joshua Barnes(27) is in the uneviable position of his college team taking a year off to switch divisions for 2026.
The 5’10” 185 lbs. forward takes with him a college best scoring 14 goals an 10 assists into the transfer portal to next skate with former Atlantic Hockey foes Sacred Heart University Pioneers, 2025/2026
From Cornwall, ON, the 23-year old always did well in junior hockey before school.
RPI Engineers‘ junior defenseman Max Smolinski(21) enters the transfer portal after a college high 5 goals and 10 assists in 35 games to next skate at St. Cloud State University Huskies as a senior, 2025/2026.
The 6′ 185 lbs. blue liner from Broomfield Hills, MI did 2 good years of juniors before school.
His heading closer to home for the “final” year for the 23-year old son of former NHL-er Bryan Smolinski.
Mercer Chiefs‘ 1st year left wing Ryan Stratton(25) takes virtual point-per-game numbers from last USPHL/NCDC season to a 2025/2026 commit at Skidmore College Thoroughbreds.
The small 5’8″ 146 lbs. forward scored big at USHS-Prep before juniors.
From Syracuse, NY, the 20-year old will likely find room to connect in college hockey.
American International College Yellowjackets‘ freshman left wing Justin Mexico(11) enters the transfer portal as his team takes a season off to switch to a different division, so he heads to Stonehill College Skyhawks for his sophomore frame in 2025/2026.
The 5’10” 180 lbs. forward had 3 goals and 12 assists in 32 games last year.
He spent 3 seasons in juniors mostly with North Iowa Bulls of the NAHL.
From Madison Heights, MI, the 21-year old will likely do well playing the independent schedule.
Long Island University Sharks‘ graduate defenseman Andrius Kulbis-Marino(6) signs a 1st pro deal with Utah Grizzlies.
The 6’2″ 190 lbs. blue liner had 3 goals and 7 assists in 34 games last season with a +6 rating on a team that maybe won a surprising amount.
He didn’t outpace scoring he had at Sacred Heart University Pioneers as a sophomore, when he had a college best 6 goals and 10 assists in 35 games with a +3 rating.
The Methuen, MA native wasn’t able to grab points in his 1st 6 ECHL games and comes to terms for his official rookie season with the new Greensboro Gargoyles in 2025/2026.
Cornell University Big Red senior defenseman Tim Rego(3) signs with Ontario Reign for his rookie season, 2025/2026.
The 6′ 185 lbs. blue liner started his pro career upon tournament completion with their affiliate Greenville Swamp Rabbits, where he scored 2 assists in 5 games with a +2 rating.
From Mansfield, MA, he did 2 years AJHL before heading to school.
University Of Connecticut Huskies‘ graduate captain defenseman Roman Kinal(41) signs an ato to start his pro career with San Jose Barracuda.
In 5 AHL games, he has no points.
The 6’2″ 198 lbs. blue liner has never really put up points, three times hitting 7 in a frame.
From Waterford, MI, the 24-year old may just need a little more time to grow into his pro game.
He signs for 2023/2024, but is dispelled to affiliate Wichita Thunder for a good deal of the session.
For 2024/2025, San Diego Gulls are in search of some assistance and agree with him for a look.
He is up for 36 games and reassigned to affiliate Tulsa Oilers for 17 and does well, help guiding both.
It’s an easy call for him to re-sign to stay a Gulls for 2025/2026.
Utica College Pioneers senior left wing Shane Murphy(29) signs a 1st pro contract with Birmingham Bulls and in 2 regular season SPHL games scores 1 goal and 1 assist to get started.
The 5’11” 181 lbs. forward has his best college scoring year as a junior with 13 goals and 15 assists in 30 games with a +27 rating.
He also scored pretty well as a senior.
From Oriskany, NY, the 25-year old played 2 years of NAHL juniors before school.
On their protected list, he will need a new contract for 2025/2026.
He’s an easy sign to return for his rookie season, 2025/2026 to be a Bulls.
University Of Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks‘ senior center Matt Koethe(20) has always recorded 10+ points through college hockey and once the schedule was done signed on, an ato to join Tulsa Oilers.
the 5′ 10″ 190 lbs. forward from Minnetonka, MN scored 1 goal and 2 assists in 7 ECHL games with a +1 rating.
For his rookie season, he is an easy sign to return for a full frame, 2025/2026.
After high school hockey, the now 26-year old did 2 years of junior hockey, right where he was heading to school, Fairbanks Ice Dogs.
10th year net minder Anthony Stolarz(41) gets a 1-year NHL deal with Florida Panthers worth $1.1M AAV after spending the last 4 in Anaheim Ducks‘ system.
Originally a Philadelphia Flyers‘ 2nd round pick in the 2013 draft (#45 overall), he spent the 1st 5 years of his pro career with them.
The huge 6’6″ 243 lbs. goalie played 8 games at University Of Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks before leaving to join London Knights for 2 seasons, winning the 2013 OHL Championship in his 1st after coming from college.
At 29-years old, he will likely see more action in the show, but also will help train the youngsters in the system.
In 27 games for his new team as primary backup, he comes away with some pretty outstanding numbers to help the team win the 2024 Stanley Cup.
An unrestricted free agent, Toronto Maple Leafs are interested and agree to terms on 2 years for $2.5M AAV.
He posts a pretty outstanding frame, despite going through some knee problems to earn himself a new 4-year deal that starts 2026/2027 for $3.75M AAV to stay in the Leafs‘ net long-term.
