Category: College Hockey Player

Toronto Maple Leafs‘ undrafted recent 3-year free agent entry level deal signee, forward Alex Steeves(21) 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.

After blowing up scoring in his 4th season on the books with draft club, he becomes an unrestricted free agent and on opening day, signs a 1-year $825K AAV deal with sort of hometown club, Boston Bruins for 2025/2026.

In 33 games, he has 8 goals and 6 assists, which earns him a 2-year extension to stay a Bruins through 2028 at $1.625M AAV, a nice pay increase.

Johnson & Wales University Wildcats‘ senior defenseman Kadyn Fennell(2) played a college high 25 games, scoring a new best 6 goals and 5 assists with a +2 rating.

The 6′ 181 lbs. blue liner signed a 1st pro deal with Danbury Hat Tricks and in 24 FPHL games has 3 goals and 11 assists.

He transferred from a freshman season at Rivier University Raiders.

From Evansville, IL, we look for the 25-year old to do well and maybe even play himself up a level.

 

Orlando Solar Bears‘ 2nd year left wing Tanner Schachle(17) will return for 2024/2025 after scoring 4 goals and 12 assists in 50 games with a +8 rating.

The 6’4″ 218 lbs. forward has still been looking for that spark to affect his ECHL scoring.

He was never much of a scorer with 7 goals and 7 assists as a sophomore at University Of Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves before transferring to Long Island University Sharks, where he wasn’t used much.

From Wasilla, AK, the 27-year old would love to see another breakout, like his 2nd NAHL frame with Fairbanks Ice Dogs.

After just 2 games into his 2nd season with 1 team, he traded to Worcester Railers, where he only figures into 11 games, but manages to score 1 goal and 4 assists with a +1 rating and signs for 2025/2026 with his brother Porter, giving his team a very menacing look.

He isn’t getting much use, through 10 games scores only 1 assist and is released, but Bloomington Bison are watching and invite him to a contract.

UMass Minutemen junior goaltender Henry Graham(30) enters the transfer portal after a college career high 8 appearances last season for a 1-2-1 record with 2.38 GAA and .912 SV%, but will take his game to Hockey East rival Boston University Terriers for 2023/2024, his senior frame.

The 6’1″ 181 lbs. net minder arrived at his 1st school after a decent USHPL/NCDC showing with P.A.L. Junior Islanders after playing the Honeybaked system.

From Manhattan, NY, the undrafted 22-year old should be offered opportunities to start.

He transfers to Lindenwood University Lions for a graduate frame 2024/2025, but appears in only 2 starts.

Fort Wayne Komets offer him a tryout to make their club  for 2025/2026.

He actually bounces down to the FPHL for a contract with Monroe Mocassins, but is struggling some to find consistency.

Notre Dame University Fighting Irish senior captain Nick Leivermann(4) was originally selected by Colorado Avalanche in the 7th round of the 2017 draft (#178 overall), but went unsigned upon completing his graduate frame with a 3rd 10+ assist season (21 as a senior).

He turns pro and signs a 1-year AHL deal with last year’s Calder Cup Champion, Hershey Bears for 2023/2024.

The 5’11” 185 lbs. blue liner from Eden Praire, MN did only 1 BCHL season with Penticton Vees before heading to school.

At 24-years old, he’s likely gunning to get going.

After a solid rookie frame, scoring 3 goals and 13 assists in 37 games with a +5 rating is an easy re-sign to stay a Bears for 2025/2026.

He wasn’t in many games, but put up points in any efforts he was a part of, but decides to leave for an option in the SHL with Farjestad BK that should work out well.

3rd year SPHL right wing, Derek Contessa(72) has a pro best 11 goals in the current, his 2nd frame with Evansville Thunderbirds.

He had 13 assists in his 1st year with Macon Mayhem and currently has 7 helpers.

The 6’3″ 220 lbs. forward 1st went to Sacred Heart University Pioneers after a solid 2nd USHL frame.

He transferred to Endicott College Gulls, where he got more use and scored better.

From Freehold, NJ, we could see the 26-year old loaned up.

Endicott College Gulls‘ freshman left wing Sebastian Speck(9) has been a point-per-game scorer for quite the little bit of time now, coming up through Little Caesar’s youth program before 2 NAHL years with Oklahoma Warriors.

In 15 games, the 5’10” 174 lbs. forward already has 6 goals and 8 assists with a +15 rating on a team that is playing top D3 status.

From Dryden, MI, the 21-year old is nicely playing himself into more good spaces.