Michigan State University Spartans‘ junior right wing Joey Larson(17) leaves a year on the table to as an unrestricted free agent signs a 1-year NHL entry level deal with New York Islanders and went to affiliate Bridgeport Islanders on an ato to score 2 AHL goals and 1 assist in 6 games.
The 6’1″ 196 lbs. forward had 3 seasons of 10+ goals and assists scoring, including as a freshman at Northern Michigan University Wildcats.
From Brighton, MI, he was a point-per-game player in his final USHL campaign before college.
University Of Maine Black Bears‘ graduate right wing Nolan Renwick(62) signs a 1st pro contract with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins for his rookie season, 2025/2026.
The fairly big 6’3″ 212 lbs. forward scored a college best 9 goals and 15 assists last season.
From Milestone, SK, the 24-year old did 2 USHL years before college.
Philadelphia Jr. Rebels‘ 1st year, Lithuanian-born left wing Linas Dedinas(12) commits to Albertus Magnus College Falcons for 2025/2026.
The 6’1″ 190 lbs. forward scored 4 goals and 11 assists last season.
After youth hockey at home and in Finland, he came over for at least a couple years of USHS-Prep.
The 20-year old should do well in college hockey.
Providence College Friars‘ junior defenseman Guillaume Richard(4) has 1 goal and 8 assists in 17 games, looking to eclipse earlier marks set as a freshman that saw him net 3 goals and 11 assists.
A Columbus Blue Jackets‘ 4th round pick in the 2021 (#101 overall), he did only 1 full USHL season of juniors with Tri-City Storm before committing to school.
The 6’2″ 179 lbs. blue liner from Quebec, QC easily plays his size.
Upon finishing up tournament play, he signs a 2-year deal to join the team who selected him a few years ago and reports to affiliate Cleveland Monsters on an ato, scoring 2 goals and 2 assists in 8 games, then 1 goal and 1 assist in 6 playoff matchups with a +4 rating.
He will be an easy look to pull up.
New Jersey Bears‘ 2nd year Ukranian-born left wing Artem Kondrashov(3) scored a junior best 13 goals and 23 assists last season and takes it to a 2025/2026 commit at Lebanon Valley College Dutchmen.
The 5’11” 161 lbs. forward did most of his youth hockey at home, but did come over for some before juniors.
We look for the 20-year old to play himself right into place.
Arizona State University Sun Devils‘ senior scoring machine, left wing Ryan Kirwan(24) signs with Toronto Marlies on a 2-year AHL deal, starting 2025/2026.
The 6’2″ 205 lbs. forward as a freshman and junior at Penn State University Nittany Lions scored 13 goals and 13 assists in a frame.
He also did 2 high point number USHL junior seasons before school.
From DeWitt, NY, the 23-year old should do well as a rookie.
University Of North Dakota Fighting Hawks‘ senior center Carter Wilkie(16) signs a 1st pro deal, an ato with Calgary Wranglers and goes on to score 2 goals and 1 assist in 9 AHL games with a +3 rating.
The 6’1″ 190 lbs. forward did 3 high scoring seasons at RIT Tigers.
From Calgary, AB, the 21-year old did 3 years of BCHL juniors before heading to school.
UMASS Minutemen graduate defenseman Linden Alger(20) played a college best 40 games, scoring new highs 3 goals and 7 assists with a +5 rating.
The 6’3″ 194 lbs. blue liner signed a 1st pro deal with Tahoe Knight Monsters upon completion of tournament play.
He doesn’t score in 2 regular season ECHL games, but gets 1 assist in 4 playoff games with a +1 rating.
The Centerville, MA, 24-year old gets a new deal to stay a Monsters for his rookie season, 2025/2026.
Ogden Mustangs‘ 2nd year captain, center Brody Simko(88) scores a junior best 27 goals and 34 assists in 52 USPHL/NCDC games last season, but really put up numbers in the playoffs last year, going to the final round, scoring 9 goals and 5 assists in 10 games.
The 6′ 194 lbs. forward commits to Trine University Thunder for 2025/2026.
From Butler, PA, the 21-year old continues to stretch out to play his hockey and now his schooling.
Colorado College Tigers‘ senior net minder Matt Vernon(30) posts a college career best 2.57 GAA on a 4-6-1 record with 2 shutouts to a 1st pro deal with Reading Royals.
In 2 ECHL games, he is about equal to his last season school hockey stats.
The 5’11” 175 lbs. backstop had his best junior run in his 2nd NAHL season for Aberdeen Wings to win a 2018 Robertson Cup and pretty much collect all the goalie awards and MVP.
From San Jose, CA, the 25-year old will likely have to prove his game every step of the way.
For 2023/2024, he signs for his rookie season with Jacksonville Icemen, which should turn out to be a good landing spot for him to prove what he can do.
He does pretty well for his first year with a 25-10-3 record, 2.67 GA and .909 SV% to earn a new deal for the son of 1997 Stanley Cup Champion Mike Vernon in an Icemen sweater 2024/2025.
Another nice job done in the cage with a 24-8-6 record, but he is eyeing another opportunity and signs with HC Innsbruck Sharks of IceHL for 2025/2026.
