Category: College Hockey Player

13Jan

Max Newton (10)

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2nd year Merrimack College Warriors‘ graduate center Max Newton(10) looks to be on his way to blowing out any scoring he was able to managed at University Of Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks having already pocketed 7 goals and 8 assists in 14 games with a +3 rating to start the 2021/2022 session.

He was a good scorer through his first two years at the BCHL, but really popped on a shift to a new team, Cowichan Valley Capitals with 25 goals and 34 assists in 58 games.

The 5’10” 184 lbs. 25-year old will be an interesting watch to see what might materialize for this skater that plays with full-on compete next.

When his team pushed Hockey East playoffs as far as they would go, he quickly turned his attention to signing an spc with Worcester Railers to finish off the 2021/2022 season.

In his debut, he records an assist, then follows it up with his 1st ECHL goal in the next game to match his Merrimack pal he signed contracts with.

After scoring 3 goals and 5 assists in 13 games and getting a 2 game loan up to Providence Bruins, notching an assist, he signs for his official rookie session with rival Reading Royals, where scoring will continue to come for one of the hardest workers out there.

He exploded scoring in the league last season to the tune of 34 goals and 38 assists in 67 games, then added another 10 points in 10 playoff games.

For 2023/2024, the Vancouver, BC will take it up a notch, signing with HK Dukla Michalovce of Slovak Extraliga.

After scoring decently, he leaves for DEL2 and signs with Krefeld Pinguin, where his stats explode beyond goal-per-game numbers and he is doing it again for a 2nd straight season to earn himself a contract to stay 2 more through 2027/2028.

13Jan

Jake Smith (24)

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5th year right wing Jake Smith(24) doesn’t seem to be bothered finding the net, regardless of the ECHL team he may be paired with at the moment.

The 5’10” 170 lbs. took a bit of a weird path, starting with 2 QMJHL seasons, then switching to the OHL and heading to a year at Carlton University Ravens before turning pro.

He started as a rookie in the SPHL, but would eventually split for a short run in Germany3 with Starbulls Rosenheim, a team he oddly played a year of youth hockey with, considering his birth place is Pickering, ON.

Returning, he skated the COVID-busted season in the league and would do well enough to score a look in the higher league.

He started with Kansas City Mavericks, but failed to connect and took up with Iowa Heartlanders and the scoring wasn’t immediate, but eventually pulled in for 25 goals and 25 assists in 52 games.

There’s little doubt he can score in the league, but could definitely use more on ice accountability.

The 26-year old seems to have found a good spot with Reading Royals, good for 7 goals and 5 assists in 19 games, but a lowly -12.

It takes a little while, but he signs a 1-year deal to stay in a Royals’ jersey for 2024/2025.

With some good scoring, 16 goals and 21 assists, he decides to head back for another venture and signs with Aalborg Pirates of Metal Ligaen.

He’s a more than point-per-game, so will head to Mestis and signs with JoKP

12Jan

Michael Underwood (3)

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Michigan State University Spartans‘ graduate transfer from 4 years at Clarkson University Golden Knights, defenseman Michael Underwood(3) has always been a plus player on the blue line, but his team is off to a bit of an uneven, close game start and he’s for the first time on the minus side.

We do expect that to change.

The 6’2″ 205 lbs. d-man was a +29 skater leaving junior hockey before entering college.

At 24-years old, the Bloomfields Hill, MI native is playing his college hockey close to home.

After finishing up his 5th session in school, he signed an pto with Colorado Eagles and joined them for 3 AHL games with no points.

They liked what they saw of the fairly big d-man and sign him up for his rookie run 2023/2024.

He played only 3 ECHL games last season and signs with Savannah Ghost Pirates for 2024/2025.

Just before the start of the new year, he finds himself traded to Maine Mariners for the new frame.

He plays 67 games with 5 assists and a horrible -24 rating, but looks to improve on his 2nd visit to the Mariners for 2025/2026.

12Jan

David Jankowski (14)

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Undrafted center, captain David Jankowski(14) takes a college career best 12 assists and 16 points to a new school hockey endeavor at Michigan Tech University Huskies from 4 years at St. Lawrence University Saints.

The 6’1″ 175 lbs. forward from Dundas, ON played two seasons of juniors in the CCHL, but he really came alive in his 2nd frame, connecting for most goals (38), most points (90) and league MVP.

We think the 25-year old will find more open room to score in the CCHA and may even get to join his NHL brother Mark Jankowski on a minor league deal.

He somehow would continue to score 4 goals as he did from his sophomore frame on after getting 8 as a freshman, then signed an ato with Wheeling Nailers, striking for 3 goals and 3 assists in 7 games with a +2 rating.

His efforts don’t go unnoticed, as he agrees to stay on for 2023/2024.

Through 69 ECHL games, he puts in a strong performance with 11 goals, 26 assists and a +9 rating.

Little doubt, he’s seeing the light, following his best season and will return for a 2nd.

He run exact totals in his 2 seasons with the team, but is traded to Norfolk Admirals, who will utilize his scoring prowess with great ability.

In 19 games, he scored 1 goal and 7 assists, but gets himself traded Jacksonville Icemen for future considerations.

11Jan

Lordanthony Grissom (3)

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Norfolk Admirals‘ 3rd year defenseman Lordanthony Grissom(3) won the 2022 SPHL Championship with Peoria Rivermen after completing 4 years, twice as captain at Aurora University Spartans.

He actually scored points in that league, raising his profile to score ECHL contracts moving forward.

The very large 6’4″ 229 lbs. blue liner had a league career best 3 goals and 7 assists last season for Greenville Swamp Rabbits.

From Detroit, MI, the 28-year old has 1 assist in 3 games in the current frame and could find his way to scoring more points when out there.

In 16 games, he only posts 1 assists, but is a +2 rating.

He is released and claimed off waivers by Jacksonville Icemen, who hope to do something with his great size.

Not really with a lot of luck last season, split between a couple of teams, Iowa Heartlanders see something they think they can turn into more of a scoring factor and bring him in for 2025/2026.

Released after 22 games with 3 assists, he is picked back up by Greenville Swamp Rabbits, where he scored his best numbers.

11Jan

Nick Carabin (7)

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Princeton University Tigers‘ senior defenseman Nick Carabin(7) takes on a year of eligibility and will play Hockey East for University Of Connecticut Huskies in 2024/2025 for a graduate session.

The 5’10” 195 lbs. blue liner takes a new college best 5 goals and 12 assists last season to his new school and likely couldn’t be more welcome.

From Mahwah, NJ, he did all of his youth hockey at home before heading off to BCHL for a good season before school.

The 24-year old will do well.

He signs a 1st deal with Reading Royals and records an assist, which is a good look to invite him back for his rookie season, 2025/2026.

And just like that he gets traded ahead of the season opener to Cincinnati Cyclones.

He plays 13 games with his new team, producing 2 assists with a -5 rating, but is once again traded to Tahoe Knight Monsters to play out the season.

11Jan

Caden Villegas (17)

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Union College Dutchmen senior right wing Caden Villegas(17) had a college best 22 assists in his final season.

The 5’8″ 174 lbs. forward from Plano, TX moved through the ranks of youth hockey before heading to juniors, where he moved up before college.

He signed a 1st pro deal with Adirondack Thunder and in 12 ECHL games, recorded 1 goal and 2 assists.

For his rookie run, he will need a contract.

He finally does come around to sign a 1-year deal to remain a Thunder for 2025/2026, but actually changes things up to become a free agent and signs for a 1st year with Maine Mariners instead.

Through 21 games with 1 goal and 5 assists, he leaves for Swindon Wildcats of the NIHL, maybe to prove something for his  game going for the next step forward.