Category: College Hockey Player

University Of Maine Black Bears graduate, right wing Ryan Smith(28) was never a big goal scorer through his college career or in two years of juniors with Green Bay Gamblers but struck for a quick goal and pair of assists in his debut with Macon Mayhem through 6 SPHL games.

His play earned him a loan up to Tulsa Oilers of the ECHL, where he appeared in three games with no points and was  returned to increase his totals in the lower league to 5-9-14 in 25 appearances.

It seems like the 6′ 195 lbs. forward could start striking the stat sheet with more frequency to possibly, more permanently put him at a higher level of play.

He was actually signed by Adirondack Thunder to start 2020/2021, but they decided to sit it out due to COVID concerns, so he’s on the radar.

The 24-year old does finally sign on with the Glens Falls, NY club and will skate 2021/2022 for them.

He records 11 goals and 16 assists in 70 games as a rookie, but was a bit of a woeful -22 rating.

His play scored him a 2 game AHL loan to Springfield Thunderbirds.

For 2022/2023, he re-signs to stay where he skated his 1st season.

He blows up his scoring last season with 16 goals and 26 assists in another 70 game rack to easily score himself an invite to return yet again to Cool Insuring Arena.

Last season he post more goals, 27 and points, 60 than he has in the past and will stay for a 3rd straight run in a Thunder jersey and maybe get more loans up, where he got a 1st goal in 2023/2024.

He has basically changed the type of player his is since turning pro.

In 18 games, he scores 6 goals and 6 assists, but is heading off to DEL2, signing with Selber Wolfe for the balance of the frame.

He did extremely well and decided to take his game to Belfast Giants for 2025/2026 and continued to score with a +14 rating through 50 EIHL games.

For 2026/2027, he looks to head back and sign with Germany3, agreeing to terms with Hannover Scorpions.

St. Anselem College Hawks‘ senior left wing Hunter Brackett(11) leaves for Germany4 and signs with EC Lauterbach 2012 for 2025/2026.

The 6′ 181 lbs. forward scored a college best 20 goals and 20 assists last season.

He did most of 3 years in junior hockey, jumping around leagues.

In 5 games, he has 5 goals and 2 assists, which we think gets him a look at a higher level.

He is scoring well and gets a trade to potentially a playoff team, ECW Sande.

For 2026/2027, he will head to France3 and signs with HC Dijon Ducs.

Fischtown Pinguins‘ big defenseman Matthew Abt(42) signs on for a 3rd straight season, 2026/2027 after scoring a best 12 goals and tying his 22 points from a year earlier.

The 6’4″ 181 lbs. blue liner played 3 seasons with Luuko after seemingly exhausting opportunities in the AHL.

From Leduc, AB, he graduated RIT Tigers after 4 campaigns of AJHL juniors.

The now 32-year old looks to continue to do well.

New England Wolves‘ 3rd year center Alex Roy(22) commits to the new D3 college team, American International College Yellowjackets for 2026/2027.

The 5’9″ 165 lbs. forward was a consistent scorer as the team transitioned leagues from the EHL to the USPHL/NCDC, he kept up and even surpassed what he had done with more than point-per-game stats of 15 goals and 11 assists in 25 outings.

From Stanstead, QC, the 20-year old will do well with his new school team.

Colorado College Tigers‘ graduate defenseman Connor Mayer(18) completes his studies and turns pro, signing a standard player contract with Utah Grizzlies.

The 5’11” 195 lbs. blue liner was never much of a scorer, getting his best 4 goals and 8 assists as a freshman, but maybe more importantly was a +10 rating player.

From Champlin, MN, he did 3 USHL junior sessions before committing.

The 24-year old finds room to score with his 1st ECHL goal and 2 assists on unfortunately a non-playoff team.

He scores 1 goal and 2 assists in 5 games and the parent club and the team from his college town signs him, Colorado Eagles for 2024/2025.

He produces decently in the AHL, but doesn’t stick a 2nd go and is signed by Hershey Bears, where even a 1st goal in his debut still gets him reassigned for the remainder of the frame to affiliate South Carolina Stingrays.

For 2026/2027, he is looking elsewhere and signs with HC Innsbruck Sharks of IceHL, where we think he will do really well.

2nd year left wing Cole Kodsi(67) has a decent 1st year showing in the ECHL with Orlando Solar Bears, but is eyeing something different and signs with Glasgow Clan of the EIHL for 2026/2027.

The 6’2″ 201 lbs. former Canisius College Golden Griffins‘ graduate student scored best as a sophomore at Bentley University Falcons and also did a senior session at Union College Dutchmen.

From Boca Raton, FL, the 25-year old will likely find some space in this league.

In his NHL debut, center Nick Abruzzese(26) skates 15 shifts for 9:05 ice time in a 6-3 Toronto Maple Leafs‘ win.

The 5’9″ 160 lbs. forward was a 4th round pick in the 2019 (#124 overall).

He was signed to a 2-year entry level after skating his junior season for Harvard University Crimson.

The Slate Hill, NY native had a very good 2nd USHL season for Chicago Steel, scoring a league high assists (51) and points (80).

At 22-years old, he may spend a little time in the AHL to see how that develops.

He has been playing up in the show since he started and pots a 1st goal in his 9th appearance.

After 69 games with 16 goals and 32 assists, then 7 points in 7 playoff games and 2 assists in 2 games in the big league, he is retained for 2023/2024.

The restricted free agent gets a new, 2-year 2-way deal and will likely continue with affiliate Toronto Marlies, and it’s very likely he will continue to see time in the show.

Coming off a 2nd successful run in the minors, he is an unrestricted free agent and signs for 1-year with Tampa Bay Lightning.

In 56 games with the affiliate Syracuse Crunch, he earns a 2nd 50+ scoring season to score another 1-year contract.