Category: College Hockey Player

Air Force Academy Falcons‘ senior defenseman, captain Chris Hedden(22) scored a college hockey best 12 goals last season, but his 22 assists and 34 points were slightly off high marks set as a sophomore.

The 6′ 185 lbs. blue liner also put up 20+ assists in his 1st year of NAHL juniors prior to heading to USHL before school.

From Kalamazoo, MI, the 24-year signs a 1st pro contract with Colorado Eagles for his rookie year, 2026/2027.

Nichols College Bison senior center Aaron Hamel(12) scored for a 4th straight frame 5 goals and for a 2nd time hit 10 assists last season.

The 5’10” 168 lbs. forward came over after his sophomore campaign at Arcadia University Knights to sign a 1st pro deal for his 2026/2027 rookie year with Fayetteville Marksmen.

He returned to USPHL Premier and scored well before school.

From Okemos, MI, the 25-year should connect in the SPHL for points.

Sacred Heart University Pioneers‘ junior center Stephane Huard(71) leaves a year on the table and signs a 1st pro contract for his 2026/2027 rookie season with Trois Rivieres Lions.

The 5’8″ 179 lbs. forward did 4 seasons of QMJHL before attending 2 sessions at McGill University Redbirds before entering the transfer portal.

From Blainville, QC, the 24-year old will likely connect ok in the ECHL.

At the start of his 2nd season as assistant captain with Lac-St. Louis Lions of the QMAAA, defenseman Dylan Finlay(26) would commit to University Of Vermont for 2021/2022 after scoring a previous session tying 26 assists,

The 6’1″ 170 lbs. blue liner was definitely showing off his abilities to head man the puck for scoring chances.

He would next leave for the BCHL to join Powell River Kings, where he wouldn’t get a goal, but was good for 18 helpers.

The Quebec native decided to head to America for 2020/2021 amid a pandemic that was going to make the campaign tough anyway you put it, but the 19-year old was able to play himself a decent run for Maryland Black Bears, getting a pair of goals and 9 assists with a +1 in 33 NAHL games.

He was even better in the playoffs striking for 2 goals and 2 assists in 8 contests and should be ready for some Hockey East play.

Switching things up, he’s heads to University Of Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves, which last him the last 3 seasons.

For 2025/2026, his senior year, he will head to Northeastern University Huskies, where he will finally face some Hockey East action.

In 34 games, he records a college hockey best 9 assists that he takes to a 1st pro deal with Bloomington Bison for his rookie frame in 2026/2027.

University Of New Hampshire Wildcats‘ sophomore goaltender Michael Simpson(31) will look to take full charge of net duties in 2026/2027 for his new club.

The 6’1″ 198 lbs. net minder transferred from only 2 games use last season at Providence College Friars, but that occurred after leaving Savannah Ghost Pirates, where he spent 10 ECHL games.

He actually turned pro in 2024/2025 under contract to Belleville Senators and loaned to affiliate Orlando Solar Bears.

From London, ON, he did 4 years juniors and won the 2024 OHL Championship with London Knights, a team he did youth hockey with.

The 23-year old will likely step back into Hockey East play pretty well, as he gets settled.

 

After his 4th season of junior hockey, defenseman Caleb Price(19) commits to Lindenwood University to start his college hockey and further education.

The team will compete in DII hockey for one more season, but elevates to D1, 2022/2023.

He played most of his youth hockey close to home, Hocksett, NH with Northern Cyclones 16U/18U AAA and one year in the USPHL/NCDC program with the team before being drafted for the NAHL.

The 5’10” 165 lbs. blue liner spent 50 games with Jamestown Rebels, grabbing a best 16 assists and 20 points with a +21 rating and also went up the chain to play 6 USHL contests.

He would spend the next frame up in the higher junior league, skating for Lincoln Stars, who selected him at #26, but was traded to Youngstown Phantoms to finish out the session.

His next stop was supposed to send him to Arizona State University, but decided on another year of juniors with New Jersey Jr. Titans, where he fit in nicely, getting 6 goals and 13 assists in 46 games, a +10 and found his new school.

The 21-year old will likely find space to play with the independent schedule and grow his game.

He finishes up a 3rd year at his 1st school, but enters the transfer portal and will play for Mercyhurt University Lakers as a senior, 2024/2025.

After 29 games as a graduate student, scoring 4 assists, he looks to turn pro and signs with Norfolk Admirals of the ECHL.

10 games in, he is waived with 1 goal and 4 assists, but quickly scooped and signed by Greensboro Gargoyles.

He is liked here and signs to stay a Gargoyles for 2026/2027.