Norfolk Admirals‘ 2nd year Russian-born left wing Denis Smirnov(8) is looking to up his totals from his 1st year with the team, when he scored 9 goals and 12 assists in 39 ECHL games.
The 5’9″ 185 lbs. forward already has 7 goals and 9 assists, so things are looking quite positive.
He came over pretty quickly to play youth hockey, displaying amazing numbers to get drafted into juniors and wins the USHL Clark Cup Championship in his 1st of 3 years in the league.
Penn State University Nittany Lions‘ 4-year scorer took a couple of years after college hockey through COVID to establish his game as a pro.
He is an exciting player to watch.
In 51 games, he scores 14 goals and 32 asssists with a +3 rating to earn an easy invite back in an Admirals‘ jersey for 2024/2025.
He’s a high scoring free agent heading into 2025/2026 and a powerhouse team, Toledo Walleye step in to offer him a 1-year deal.
In a league high 54 games, he scores 15 goals and 20 assists, but gets a trade to Greenville Swamp Rabbits, where he will very likely just continue.
Stonehill College Skyhawks‘ sophomore big 6’4″ 205 lbs. defenseman Greg Japchen(2) commits to his 3rd college through the transfer portal and changes it to next lace up for Robert Morris University Colonials as a junior 2024/2025.
He played in a college high 30 games last season, scoring 3 goals and 11 assists.
From Doylestown, PA, he played his youth hockey with Philadelphia Jr. Flyers before eventually doing well in 2 NAHL frames before first heading to Union College.
We’ll see how the 22-year old responds to the new schedule.
He plays a college best 32 games, scoring 1 goal and 1 assist, which he takes to a 1st contract with Kalamazoo Wings.
Long Island University Sharks‘ Finnish-born junior defenseman Valtteri Piironen(5) enters the transfer portal of his senior year at Ferris State University Bulldogs, 2025/2026.
The 6’4″ 207 lbs. blue liner scored a college best 11 assists and tied his 12 points from his sophomore frame.
He came over initially for 3 frames of USHL junior hockey with Sioux Falls Stampede before college.
The 24-year old has skated 10 games and recorded 1 assist.
In 29 games, the big d-man scores 1 goal and 6 assists that he takes to a 1st pro contract with Norfolk Admirals.
After only 13 games as a freshman at Nichols College Bison, center Ike Frankel(3) enters the transfer portal to a team that can definitely use him, despite only getting 1 goal in the last frame, Franklin Pierce University Ravens.
The 6’1″ 175 lbs. forward from San Diego, CA was a big scorer in 3 seasons of USPHL Premier with Minnesota Moose, grabbing 40+ points twice and 50 once.
He played all his youth hockey close to home and we think he’s going to find the net in NE10 play.
For his senior year, he scores a new high 5 goals and 7 points that he takes to a 1st pro contract with Monroe Mocassins.
He has 1 assist in 4 FPHL games.
Northern Cyclones‘ 2nd year defenseman, captain Dylan Jagels(74) commits 2026/2027 to Franklin Pierce University Ravens after scoring a new USPHL Premier best 5 goals and 16 assists in 39 games.
The 6′ 179 lbs. blue liner from Haymarket, VA did his youth hockey in the Little Caps‘ system.
At 20-years old, he should just integrate himself into NE10 play.
Fitchburg State University Falcons‘ graduate defenseman Christian Halbig(71) scored a college best tying 2 seasons of 2 goals and adding 26 assists in 26 games with a +23 rating.
The 5’9″ 181 lbs. takes his new totals to a 1st pro contract with Blue Ridge Bobcats.
From Queenstown, MD, the 24-year should start finding his FPHL groove.
SUNY-Canton Roos‘ senior defenseman Scott Cremen(43) had a college best 16 assists and tied his 18 points from his junior frame that he takes to a 1st pro contract, a pto with Birmingham Bulls.
The 6’2″ 201 lbs. blue liner bounced around some in juniors, but seemed to settle pretty well when he got to Team Maryland and scored 1 goal and 7 assists in 19 games before committing.
In 4 SPHL games, he has 1 assist.
From Arnold, MD, the 23-year old should play well here.
Union College Dutchmen senior right wing Caden Villegas(36) 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.
Scoring does blow up for 15 goals and 23 assists in 20 games to re-sign and stay a Wildcats for 2026/2027.
Franklin Pierce University Ravens‘ Australian-born, sophomore defenseman Declan Bronte(27) came over from just 2 games use at Salem State University Vikings, as a freshman.
He played only 11 games in 2023/2024, scoring 1 assist.
The 5’10” 160 lbs. blue liner did 2 EHL years with Connecticut Chiefs, and even left to head back home to play some pro hockey in the AIHL with CBR Brave, scoring quite nicely.
He looks to be doing that each season now, which is a great idea.
The 22-year old from Melbourne is a good hockey story.
He actually finished up with 2 years at Fitchburg State University Falcons, scoring best as a senior with 3 goals and 5 assists in a high 26 games and turns pro as tournament play wraps up, signing with Danbury Hat Tricks.
Merrimack College Warriors‘ sophomore center Trevor Hoskin(10) transferred from a very successful, more than point-per-game run as a freshman at Niagara University Purple Eagles.
The 6’1″ 196 lbs. power forward scored similarly in less games played in the current frame.
From Belleville, ON, he had 100 points in his 2nd OJHL season before school.
The 24-year old scored the overtime goal to help his team to the 2026 Hockey East Frozen Four.
