CollegeHockeyPlayers

UMass Minutemen undrafted freshman defenseman Aaron Bohlinger(25) has 15 assists in the 2020/2021 frame but no goals.

Well, not until the NCAA Championship Final vs. St. Cloud University Huskies, where he nets the opening tally and that might be enough to close the door on the title and also be a game-winner.

The small 5’9″ 165 lbs. blue liner early in his tenure with Waterloo Blackhawks of the USHL but was probably put on the radar after playing a year north in the BCHL for Alberni Valley Bulldogs, where he made a 7 goal and 27 assists in 55 games impression.

The 20-year old may be small but motors and can head man the puck with ease, so might garner some looks as he continues at school.

He becomes captain as a senior, but decides to add a year of eligibility and enters the transfer portal to skate for Quinnipiac University Bobcats, as a graduate.

ECAC was a nice switch up, as he scores a new best 3 goals and 11 assists with a +11 rating in 32 games.

He is set to turn pro and signs a 1st ECHL contract with Cincinnati Cyclones for 2025/2026.

As the new year approaches, Indy Fuel trade to bring him into town for 2026/2027.

University Of Vermont Catamounts‘ senior defenseman Dylan Gratton(25) leaves his 3rd school after 22 games and 1 assist to turn pro, signing a contract for the remainder of 2025/2026 with the team, his captain, brother Tyler plays for, Utah Grizzlies.

The 6′ 185 lbs. forward did 3 USHL seasons of junior hockey with a 2022 Clark Cup Championship before heading to his 1st school, Penn State University Nittany Lions.

He did 2 years there, then transferred to University Of Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks for 1 session.

In 19 games, he scores a 1st ECHL goal and 10 assists with a +10 rating, but his team goes belly up and he is to skate with the new club, but gets traded to Idaho Steelheads for his official rookie season, 2026/2027.

Quinnipiac University Bobcats‘ graduate defenseman Brendan Less(23) is definitely glad he added an extra session to his college game after entering the portal transfer from 4 years at Dartmouth College Big Green.

Tying his 2nd most, 31 NCAA Division 1 games played, he has exceedingly good new bests with 2 goals, 14 assists, 16 points and a big +28 rating.

The 5’11” 170 lbs. blue liner committed in his 2nd year at Choate Rosemary Hall without recording a lot of points, so they saw something more in his game they liked.

At 23-years old, it’s tough to say the route he takes after 5 years in the ECAC, but the Kinnelon, NJ native may find some space to grow his game as a pro.

After his team was eliminated from tournament play, the d-man signed an ECHL contract to join Worcester Railers.

He would appear in 6 games, grabbing a first pro point, an assist.

For 2022/2023, he signs with Jacksonville Icemen, a team he should gel well with.

He actually gets released from training camp and quickly inks with Iowa Heartlanders, where he should stick and do nicely.

In 22 games, he notches 4 assists, but Adirondack Thunder see something they can work with and sign him for 2023/2024.

Through a season high 44 games, he scores 2 goals and 11 assists with a +12 rating to easily gain an invite to return to continue wearing a Thunder uniform.

He gets loaned up to Syracuse Crunch for 1 AHL game, while scoring a best 19 assists and 20 points with a +11 rating last season, but gets himself traded to Atlanta Gladiators for 2025/2026 and will need a contract.

Through 57 games, he scores 4 goals and 14 assists with a +26 rating to easily get a new deal to return a Gladiators for 2026/2027.

Stonehill College Skyhawks‘ junior defenseman Evan Orr(26) transferred back to where he had success in his 2nd year of junior hockey with Northeast Generals from 2 years at Michigan Tech University Broncos.

That season, the 5’11” 185 scored 5 goals and 22 assists in 25 games with a +11 rating.

From Shelby Township, MI, the 23-year old we think is in his happy place and should do well playing the independent schedule.

The senior captain scores a new college best 13 assists and 18 points, while helping pace his team to a new best record in 2025/2026.

He takes his game to a 1st pro contract with Atlanta Gladiators that should be quite a good view.

In 14 games, he doesn’t grab a point and signs with Kalamazoo Wings for his rookie season, 2026/2027.