University Of Connecticut Huskies graduate goaltender Darion Hanson(33) became the starting net minder out of camp and is doing exactly what the team needs, posting a 4-3 record with 2.27 GAA and .925 SV% to fend off hopeful scorers.
The big 6’3″ 181 lbs. net minder came over late 2020/2021, after completing three years at Union College Dutchmen, where he left as captain and went through a down NCAA Transfer Year.
He spent 2 years in juniors in a mess of different leagues, but seemed to really arrive after joining Vernon Vipers and was named Top Goaltender, Best SV% .945 and Best GAA 1.84 in 21 BCHL games with a 14-4 record before heading to college.
The 24-year old have made the nice transition from ECAC to Hockey East.
He turned pro with Reading Royals after finishing up school and in 1 appearance had the win with a 1.00 GAA and .957 SV%, but become the 1st player ever to sign with the new Savannah Ghost Pirates for his official rookie run.
Now, after the midway point of the season, Iowa Heartlanders have a need to fill in net and trade to obtain him.
St. Lawrence University Skating Saints‘ freshman defenseman Anthony Mollica(2) has only 1 assist in 11 games as a first year player.
The big 6’3″ 196 lbs. blue liner skated 3 campaigns of junior hockey, 2 for New Jersey Titans, where he won the 2021 NAHL Championship with them just a season ago and put up a best 8 goals and 13 assists.
From Hudsonville, MI, the 21-year old is likely just getting his feet wet in his new college environment.
After 3 frames in junior hockey, including his current 2nd USHL season for Fargo Force, earning an 11-8 record on a 2.37 GAA and .912 SV%, goaltender Anton Castro(31) commits to University Of Wisconsin Badgers for 2023/2024.
The 6’2″ 187 lbs. net minder from Mendota Heights, MN will likely continue to step up his game.
Tampa Bay Lightning 4th round pick in the 2019 draft (#120 overall), Providence College Friars‘ senior defenseman, captain Max Crozier(24) has a college career high 17 assists, but may not equal his 7 goals set as a junior with only 2 in the net this season.
The 6’2″ 185 lbs. blue liner has 3 times recorded 10+ assists.
From North Vancouver, BC, the 22-year old 1st play 1 season of junior hockey north with Nanaimo Clippers of the BCHL.
He would move on to a USHL session for Sioux Falls Stampede, where he had an outstanding 10 goals and 33 assists through 60 games with a +5 rating.
It looks as though he should be signed quickly upon completely his school hockey and I would put him right into the system.
Undrafted left wing Chris Van Os-Shaw(20) took 3 years at Minnesota State University (Mankato) Mavericks into the transfer portal to play his senior year at American International College Yellowjackets and that easily turned out to be the right move.
The 6’2″ 201 lbs. forward scored a college career high 7 goals and 8 assists for 15 points with a +1 rating in 36 NCAA Division 1 games.
We think he liked Atlantic Hockey.
The Regina, SK native played 3 seasons of junior hockey, two in the SJHL for Humboldt Broncos before signing on for a breakout campaign with Spruce Grove Saints, winning the 2018 AJHL Championship and he came away with most points, most goals and most valuable player nods.
Upon finishing up the playoffs, he signs a 1st pro contract with Indy Fuel and grabs an assist in his debut, then scores a 1st ECHL goal and adds a helper for a 3 point in 3 game start.
The 24-year old has to have a little smile on his face.
He finishes up 2021/2022 scoring 3 goals and 3 assists in 6 games with a +4 rating; good enough to get an early nod to return for 2022/2023 in a Fuel jersey.
As we are pulling into the 2nd half of the season, he finds himself on the end of a deal sending him to another playoff worthy club, Wichita Thunder for the remainder of the year.
5th year left wing Trey Bradley(14) has once again for a 3rd time run his assist totals to 20+ in a season, once 37 in an ECHL for 2 year team Utah Grizzlies, where he received his only loan up to Colorado Eagles for 10 AHL games, scoring 4 assists.
The 5’10” 163 lbs. forward also played 2 games for Toronto Marlies, recording an assist upon completing 4 years at Colorado College, where he ran up 30+ points as a junior and senior.
For the balance of 2023 though, he has decided to shift his focus, accepting a deal to join Ostersunds IK.
The undrafted 26-year old from Tampa, FL will likely do well in Allsvenskan and possibly see his ranks loaned up to the SHL.
University Of Maine Black Bears‘ right wing Cole Hansen(10) came over after just a year at Colgate University Raiders, but was already a wise decision as he’s taken his scoring up to new levels with 6 goals and 3 assists in 23 games.
The 5’11” 174 lbs. forward had a very strong 2nd NAHL frame with New Mexico Ice Wolves, scoring 21 goals and 39 assists in 53 games before heading to school.
From Grand Forks, ND, we’re thinking Hockey East style fits more closely with the style of game the 22-year old plays.
Trinity College Bantams‘ freshman left wing Spencer Korona(9) recently had a 3 assist night in a 6-0 NESCAC division win over Tufts University Jumbos.
The 5’11” 185 lbs. forward increased his first year totals to 3 goals and 7 assists in 16 games.
He skated four NCDC junior seasons for P.A.L. Islanders, amassing 40+ assists in both of his final 2 frames.
The 21-year old from Enfield, CT is a difference maker out there
University Of Guelph Gryphons‘ graduate left wing Ted McGeen(11) has decided to leave in the middle of the year to pursue a pro career, signing with Iowa Heartlanders for the balance of 2023.
The 6′ 181 lbs. forward leaves having recorded a college career best 7 assists and 13 points in 19 games.
He originally went to St. Lawrence University Saints for 2 years after winning the 2018 OJHL Championship with one-time team, Wellington Dukes.
A Windsor, ON native, heading to a school in Canada made sense.
The 25-year old may be ready to score some in the ECHL.
Wesleyan University Cardinals‘ senior left wing Wiggle Kerbrat(19) had a 2 goal, 1 assist night in a 5-4 win, including the game-winner midway through the final frame to help his team to another hard fought win, solidifying their newly minted USCHO D3 top 15 status.
The 6′ 190 lbs. forward now has a college career best 13 goals and 8 assists for new high 21 point in 15 games this season.
He twice in a row won EHL titles with his junior team, New Hampshire Avalanche.
A Laguna Niguel, CA native, it will be interesting to see where the 25-year old takes his game next, if anywhere.
