Category: College Hockey Player

Toronto Maple Leafs‘ undrafted recent 3-year free agent entry level deal signee, forward Alex Steeves(16) is set to have the summer off as his contract kicks in for 2021/2022, and it doesn’t look like he’s set to sign an ato with say, affiliate Toronto Marlies to get some more playing time in.

The 5’11” 185 lbs. pivot leaves a year on the table at Notre Dame University Fighting Irish after scoring a career high 15 goals and 17 assists for 32 points in 29 games.

His team had to unfortunately pull out of the NCAA Tournament due to COVID protocols.

He opened the season he committed to college in tier 3 junior hockey EHL with a team he’d been with through 16 & 18U, New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs.

After blowing things up quickly with 6 points in 4 games, he agreed to join Sioux City Musketeers, got noticed then played two seasons with Dubuque Fighting Saints, where he was a point-per-game skater in his 2nd campaign.

He may start out in the minors but look for him to make a splash quickly.

The 22-year old scores his first NHL recall due to injury, so may get a more advanced look.

In a 3 games, he’s skated an average of 13 shifts for roughly 7/8 minutes with a few shots, takeaways and even recorded a 1st point, an assist in a win.

He continues to put up scoring with a new best 27 goals and 57 points in 65 AHL games last season to earn himself another 1-year, 2-way deal to keep on, keepin’ on.

UMASS-Lowell Riverhawks‘ senior defenseman Brehdan Engum(10) enters the transfer portal to do a graduate frame at Boston University Terriers in 2024/2025.

The 6’3″ 220 lbs. blue liner doesn’t score a lot of points, but is definitely accountable on a good team.

He left the USHL for Waterloo Blackhawks with 2 seasons of 10+ assists and a +36 rating.

From Burnsville, MN, the 24-year continues his Hockey East play another frame.

University Of Maine Black Bears‘ 5th year graduate student, right wing Jack Quinlivan(4) signs his 1st contract for 2022/2023 with close to home, Worcester Railers.

His home base is the town next door, Shrewsbury.

The 6′ 194 lbs. forward has struggled some scoring, grabbing only 6 assists as 2nd year captain last season, but we feel he could come alive as a pro in a different environment.

At 26-years old, he should step right in.

Through 10 ECHL games, he got 2 goals and 1 assist, but was sidelined with injuries and they discovered papillary thyroid cancers to exit him.

He will return for his next official rookie season 2023/2024.

In 32 games, he comes away with 6 goals and 6 assists, but he is completely injury plagued, so enough is enough, he decides to call it quits and will become an amazing coach, if he decides on that route for himself.

Union College Bobcats‘ senior goaltender Connor Murphy(1) came over after 2 seasons at Northeastern University Huskies finished up 31 games and signs a first pro deal, an ato with Calgary Wranglers, which puts him with a top-rated AHL team to start things up with.

The 6’4″ 200 lbs. net minder has never exactly produced outstanding stats, but I think to just look at him and how centered he is to the frame makes him a natural to give a shot to.

He had one year of super-strong junior hockey performance in the CCHL with Carleton Place Canadians before committing to school.

The 24-year old from Hudson Falls, NY may just shine if given the chance.

He signs on to stay for his rookie season in Alberta with the minor league club.

In a split schedule with ECHL affiliate Rapid City Rush, he does decently enough with both for another look and is signed to wear a Wranglers‘ sweater for 2024/2025.

8th year center Philippe Maillet(61) returned last season to Laval Rocket under a 1-year NHL deal with Montreal Canadiens and scored quite well with a new AHL best 21 goals.

The 5’10” 185 lbs. forward is leaving again, this time he joins NL and signs with HC Ambri-Piotta for 2024/2025.

He came back from 2 very strong sessions in the KHL for Metallurg Magnitogorsk.

From Lachenaie, QC, the 31-year old played 4 years of QMJHL, then went to University Of New Brunswick Reds for another 4.

He will do really well in Switzerland.

New York Islanders‘ 1st round pick in the 2018 draft (#11 overall), 5th year right wing Oliver Wahlstrom(26) signs a conservative 1-year 1-way deal to stick for 2023/2024, as a restricted free agent.

The fairly stocky 6’2″ 205 lbs. forward has twice scored 10+ goals.

He only spent 1 year at Boston College Eagles after exploding his 2nd frame with USNTDP.

The 23-year old from Portland, ME definitely needs to step up his game.

He re-signs to spend a 6th year in the Isles‘ system, 2024/2025.

University Of Wisconsin Badgers‘ graduate left wing Jack Gorniak(20) signs a 1st pro deal for 2023/2024 with Fort Wayne Komets.

The 5’11” 176 lbs. forward is like the complete Wisconsin story, played high school hockey at West Salem High, skated games for Team Wisconsin and only played 2 USHL games for Lincoln Stars as junior hockey.

Undrafted, the 23-year old will likely connect for a good amount of points in the ECHL is our bet.

9 goals and 16 assists takes his pro game up from college to earn himself another full season in a Komets‘ jersey.

Northeast Generals‘ 2nd year right wing Michael Locke(13) takes some phenomenal NA3HL scoring last season with 13 goals, 41 assists for 54 points in 44 games with a +32 rating to his 2024/2025 commit at Manhattanville University Valiants.

The 6′ 170 lbs. forward from Wakefield, MA should score in college like he did in juniors.

At 20-years old, he is likely ready to make the next step in his hockey career.

Four year and consecutive NCAA Champion defenseman with University Of Minnesota-Duluth BulldogsJarod Hilderman(3) knew before the 2019/2020 season came to a crashing halt during the playoffs that he would be heading to Birmingham Bulls for 2020/2021 and spend his rookie season in the SPHL.

Well, a pandemic didn’t sideline those plans, as he reported and played basically a full slate of 36/42 game schedule, unable to grab a goal but he did produce 6 assists.

The 6’1″ 210 lbs. Calgary, AB native started his junior hockey closer to home with 2 seasons for Penticton Vees, where he won his first title, a 2015 BCHL Championship, which is when he committed to college, but then moved south to do a season with Fargo Force of the USHL before reporting to school.

At 24-years old and the leagues opening up to full service, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him elevate his game to the next level.https://www.sandiegogulls.com/players/detail/hilderman

He would spend his 2020/2021 under contract to Tulsa Oilers and ended a 48 ECHL game “rookie” season with a goal and 15 assists, then added 3 assists in 6 playoff matchups.

For 2022/2023, he will return, but we also feel may earn a 1st AHL loan to San Diego Gulls, who have him on their radar.

He puts up some decent enough numbers with a pair of visits up, but needs better on ice accountability.

Despite the parts of his game to work on he gets an invite to return for a 2nd chance in an Oilers‘ jersey.

He has a solid 3rd frame, scoring 35 assists to seemingly rebound hard and will take his game over to Ligue Magnus, signing with Les Bruleurs De Loups for 2024/2025.