Quinnipiac University Bobcats‘ graduate center Jack Ricketts(28) takes some college highs scoring 20 goals to a 1st pro contract with Utah Grizzlies for his rookie season, 2025/2026.
In his 1st 9 ECHL games, he has 4 goals and 1 assist with a 0 rating.
The 6’1″ 194 lbs. forward came over from top scoring at Holy Cross College Crusaders, where he had 35 points in 39 games with a +18 rating.
From Oakville, ON, the 26-year old is off to a great start and looks good for a loan up.
University Of Michigan Wolverines‘ freshman center Cole McKinney(11) already has 3 goals and 4 assists in 10 games this season.
The 6′ 201 lbs. forward was more than a point-per-game scorer through his 2nd USNTDP season and did the same coming up with the Chicago Mission program.
From Chicago, IL, the 18-year old found himself to be a San Jose Sharks‘ 2nd round pick in the 2025 NHL draft (#53 overall).
Anaheim Ducks‘ 4th round pick in the 2021 draft (#98 overall), center Josh Lopina(18) picked up his 3-year NHL entry level deal upon deciding to leave UMass Minutemen after a college career sophomore season, scoring 12 goals and 15 assists in 27 games with a +21 rating.
He had equally stellar numbers as a freshmen, when they went on to win the 2021 NCAA Division 1 National Championship.
The 6’2″ 194 lbs. forward twice put up 12 goals with Lincoln Stars in a pair of USHL sessions.
He managed to grab an assist in his AHL debut with affiliate San Diego Gulls and be credited with 2 shots on net and a +1 rating.
The 21-year old looks ready to step into his new lifestyle.
After 3 years in the same place, he moves on to sign with Savannah Ghost Pirates for 2025/2026.
He has 1 goal and 1 assist in 4 ECHL games, where we think he notches points really well.
Merrimack College Warriors‘ senior goaltender Zachary Borgiel(29) will do a year of eligibility at rival Providence College Friars to start a graduate program, 2024/2025.
The 6’2″ 205 lbs. net minder initially started youth hockey through the Honeybaked system before doing a split junior frame and heading north, where his game came together nicely in the BCHL, starting 44 games for Cowichan Valley Capitals.
After 12 Hockey East games with some college best marks, including 2 shutouts he signs a 1st pro contract with Tahoe Knight Monsters for 2025/2026, but we do feel he gets dealt due to the glut in that net.
New England Wolves 1st year defenseman Nick Theodos(3) commits Saint Anselm College Hawks for 2024/2025.
The 6′ 185 lbs. blue liner has 6 goals and 14 assists in 27 EHL games in the current session.
He played his high school hockey at Hebron Academy.
We think the 20-year old from Tewksbury, MA will have to work for it, but can fit in nicely from the start with this college club.
He plays in only 6 NE10 games and decides to move on into the transfer portal to next skate for Western New England University Golden Bears as a sophomore in 2025/2026.
Undrafted 3rd year center Max Willman(10) has quite the unlikely, surprise hockey story to tell.
Upon finishing up his one year in a graduate program at Boston University Terriers after a transfer from Brown University Bears, he signed an ECHL contract to join Reading Royals.
The 6′ 183 lbs. forward was loaned up to Lehigh Valley Phantoms a couple of months into his rookie run and earned an spc, mostly staying in the AHL, earning 3 goals and 6 assists in 24 games before the season exploded with no playoffs.
He re-signed to stay and in a weirdo season with like 3 constant opponents, he ascended to a career high 9 goals, 7 assists and 16 points with a +7 in just 30 games.
His efforts have earned him an NHL 2-year, 2-way deal with Philadelphia Flyers that starts in the upcoming frame.
The 26-year old is likely all smiles heading into 2021/2022.
And the story continues to take the strangest turns, as the Barnstable, MA native has made the opening night roster of the Broad Street Bullies and skated 13 shifts for 9:30 of total ice with one shot on net, one hit, 2 minutes in the sin bin and left the 5-4 shootout loss a -1 rating.
An unrestricted free agent, he signs a 1-year 2-way deal with New Jersey Devils for 2023/2024.
In 18 games with the big club, he scores 3 goals and 1 assist with a +1 rating and he scores himself another year, another look in a Devils‘ jersey.
After 69 games on reassignment with Utica Comets, scoring 10 goals and 20 assist, he is off for his next venture, signing with Barys Astana of the KHL for 2025/2026.
Boston University Terriers‘ freshman Jack Murtagh(19) is off to a nice start with 2 goals and 3 assists in 9 games to start his college career.
The 6’1″ 198 lbs. forward was basically a point-per-game player in his 2nd year at USNTDP.
From East Greenbush, NY, the 21-year old was selected by Philadelphia Flyers in the 2nd round of the 2025 draft (#40 overall).
Northern Cyclones‘ 1st year right wing Carson Strapon(15) takes some decent best numbers of 12 goals and 9 assists in 49 USPHL/NCDC games, then added another 7 points (4/3) in 10 playoff matchups.
The 6’1″ 181 lbs. power forward style will take his game to a 2025/2026 commits close to home at University Of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Blugolds.
From Hudson, WI, the 21-year old played himself up in the junior ranks.
He was a good scorer at USHS-WI and we expect him to find the net.
5th year center Troy Josephs(16) signs on for a 2nd season with HC Lugano, continuing his climb up Swiss Hockey leagues.
He skated for EHC Visp of the tier 2 SL, when arriving from North America.
The 6′ 194 lbs. was originally a Pittsburgh Penguins‘ 7th round pick in the 2013 draft (#209 overall), but only signed an AHL deal with affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
He was two years in the system, but mostly reassigned down to Wheeling Nailers, where he exploded on the scoresheet as a more than point-per-game player and eventually just signed an ECHL contract.
There’s little doubt the 27-year, former 4-year Clarkson University Golden Knights‘ old found his footing immediately overseas and will continue to do so, as he climbs.
He would end up a 2nd full session with the NL club, putting up 5 goals and 15 assists that he will take to a new, bold opportunity, signing a 1-year deal with Lada Togliatti of the KHL.
Doing best in his first run at Russian hockey, he scores 20 goals, but is fairly consistent as he travels between a couple of teams and for 2025/2026 will head to a 3rd, signing with HK Sochi.
After 10 games with 2 assists, not sure what has occurred, but he becomes available to Shanghai Dragons to sign for the term.
Tampa Bay Lightning swoop in to grab University Of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs‘ junior left wing Cole Koepke(45) to a 2-year entry level deal, starting immediately.
He was a 6th round pick in the 2018 draft (#183 overall).
The 6’1″ 195 lbs. forward put up very decent numbers through 3 years of college hockey with 16 goals as a sophomore and 15 last season, plus an overall +31 rating.
He seemed to struggle a bit in his first session for Sioux City Musketeers but found his footing in the 2nd frame as an assistant captain, grabbing a junior level high 28 goals and 11 assists for 39 points.
His college commitment would come after an explosive year at Hermantown, MN High, where he was a 2-point per game player.
It looks as though the 22-year old will report to affiliate Syracuse Crunch and should be able to prove his worth in the AHL.
He would play a 52-game slate in the minors, scoring 7 goals and 12 assists, then adding another 3 helpers in 5 playoff matchups, but would also get to appear in 17 games with the big club, recording a 1st NHL goal for himself.
For his efforts, he is rewarded with a 1-year, 2-way deal in 2023/2024.
He plays 73 games last season with 10 goals and 7 assists with a +1 rating, but is an unrestricted free agent and accepts a 1-year $1M deal with Winnipeg Jets and has 1 assist in 10 contests.
