Rivier University Raiders‘ freshman defenseman Payton Kender(5) scores 12 goals and 9 assists in 25 games, but heads to the transfer portal to next go play for Keene State College Owls in 2026/2027, as a sophomore.
The 5’9″ 165 lbs. blue liner had 2 successful USPHL Premier with South Shore Kings, who he did youth hockey with before school.
From Brewster, MA, the 21-year old could easily see increases to his game with this club.
Northeastern University Huskies‘ center Dylan Hryckowian(14) scores a new best 22 assists and 37 points in 30 games last season with a +4 rating that the team his brother Justin skated his 1st full season with Dallas Stars come knocking to sign the undrafted player to a 2-year NHL entry level deal through 2027/2028 and to leave a year at school on the table.
He was in their development camp last season.
The 5’10” 170 lbs. forward starts with affiliate Texas Stars and through 12 AHL games, he 3 goals and 3 assists with a +2 rating as they head into playoffs.
From L’lle-Bizard, QC, the 21-year old did just 1 USHL junior frame, exploding scoring before school.
With 3 goals and 5 assists in the 1st 8 games of the new frame, he is an easy recall to join his brother for a 1st NHL recall.
In 10:03 of ice time, skating 13 and 1 shot on net in a 6-3 victory, it’s a pretty sweet start.
Plymouth State University Panthers‘ junior defenseman Josh Steele(27) enters the transfer portal to next go play at Keene State College Owls as a senior in 2026/2027.
The 5’8″ 165 lbs. blue liner played well in juniors.
From Tampa, FL, the 23-year old will definitely find more room for him game with his new school.
Lake Superior State University Lakers‘ senior defenseman Bryan Huggins(40) scores a college hockey tying 1 goal and new best 6 assists and 7 points that he took to a deal with Greensboro Gargoyles that lasted 3 games for 2 assists and a +3 rating, but for his rookie year signs with Fayetteville Marksmen, 2026/2027.
The 5’11” 181 lbs. blue liner skated with Fargo Force of the USHL before heading to school.
From Grand Rapids, MI, the 24-year old should excel in the SPHL.
Niagara University Purple Eagles‘ senior defenseman, assistant captain Lane Brockoff(27) had a college best 3 goals and 10 assists in 35 games last season that he takes to a 1st pro contract with Indy Fuel.
The 6’1″ 207 lbs. blue liner has 1 assist in 6 ECHL games with a 0 rating.
From Edberg, AL, the 26-year old did 2 AJHL years with Camrose Kodiaks before school.
He will return as a Fuel for his rookie frame, 2026/2027
Undrafted defenseman Quinn Wichers(5) signs a first pro contract for his rookie campaign 2021/2022 with Rapid City Rush.
The 6’4″ 217 lbs. blue liner has never been exactly the biggest point scorer through 4 years at Mercyhurst University Lakers, but did connect for a junior hockey high 19 assists and tying 24 points in 45 CCHL games in his 4th frame before heading to school with Kemptville 73s.
From Metcalfe, ON, the 24-year old should be able to elevate his game in the ECHL.
He will return to South Dakota for 2022/2023 after scoring 2 goals and 8 assists in 43 games with a +3 rating, then adding 4 assists through 11 playoff contests.
Multiple loans up to Tuscon Roadrunners, where he skated 16 games with no points, but was decently enough steady.
We expect everything to go just that much better in his 2nd year.
Through 50 games, he basically mirrors his rookie point production with the same club, but for 2023/2024, he gets himself traded to Wheeling Nailers and we shall see if that changes anything.
We think it might.
After 3 games with no points, he gets himself dished to a perfect location for the big forward, Utah Grizzlies.
In 52 games, his scoring pops some with 2 goals and a new best 14 assists, but he is looking for something new, different, so signs with Nottingham Panthers of the EIHL for 2024/2025.
After 38 games in England, he is next heading for Asia League and signs with Tohuko Free Blades for 2025/2026.
In 35 games, he grabs 11 assists with a +1 rating and HC Innsbruck Sharks is watching and signs him to a tryout for the IceHL in 2026/2027.
He suits up for only 9 games, gaining 1 assist, but gets an invite to return under contract for 2026/2027 to stay a Sharks.
Union College Dutchmen senior center Nate Hanley(6) was always a decent college hockey scorer, leaving with 6 goals and 16 assists in 36 games.
He had 10 goals as a junior and 22 assists in his sophomore frame.
The 5’11” 185 lbs. forward signs a 1st pro contract with Greensboro Gargoyles.
In 14 ECHL games, he scores 4 goals and 1 assist.
From Rocky Point, NY, the 23-year old will need a new contract for 2026/2027.
For his official rookie season, he signs with the new to the league, Trenton Ironhawks in 2026/2027.
Lake Superior State University Lakers‘ senior center Ryan Beck(25) scored a new college hockey best 7 goals and tied the 20 points from his sophomore year.
The 5’10” 198 lbs. forward did 2 USHL seasons before heading to Colorado College Tigers initially.
From Linden, MI, the 24-year old signs a 1st pro deal for his rookie campaign in 2026/2027 with Trenton Ironhawks.
He is waived early and immediately pick up and signed by Worcester Railers.
Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs‘ rookie right wing Ryan Reifler(4) scores 5 goals and 21 assists with a +10 rating in 48 SPHL games, then adds another 4 points in the playoffs to easily get a nod for a 2nd season, 2026/2027.
The big 6’3″ 229 lbs. forward did 4 years at Elmira College Golden Eagles, scoring best as a senior with 14 goals and 14 assists in 25 games with a +13 rating.
From Binghamton, NY, the 27-year old did 1-year NA3HL before school.
Johnson & Wales University Wildcats‘ senior defenseman Kadyn Fennell(2) played a college high 25 games, scoring a new best 6 goals and 5 assists with a +2 rating.
The 6′ 181 lbs. blue liner signed a 1st pro deal with Danbury Hat Tricks and in 24 FPHL games has 3 goals and 11 assists.
He transferred from a freshman season at Rivier University Raiders.
From Evansville, IL, we look for the 25-year old to do well and maybe even play himself up a level.
In his rookie season, he plays 48 games and scores 3 goals and 26 assists with a +7 rating and that earns him a look for 2026/2027 from Pee Dee Ice Cats of the SPHL.
