CollegeHockeyPlayers

2nd year pro, undrafted right wing Brandon Hawkins(7) has another outstanding ECHL season with contract club Fort Wayne Komets, scoring a new best 23 goals and 39 points in 37 games.

He seemingly really burst the bubble en route to a 2021 Kelly Cup Championship, striking for 6 goals and 5 assists in 13 games, including a hat trick and a 4 point effort.

The former Northeastern University Huskies‘ graduate, transfer from Bowling Green State University Falcons, signed his first deal with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins upon completing school and grabbed a 1st pair of goals in 5 AHL games to earn himself another contract for the next frame.

He was mostly reassigned as a rookie to affiliate Wheeling Nailers, where he began to establish he could score for big numbers in the lower league.

The 5’10” 198 lbs. forward was definitely able to put up points through college hockey, credited with 46 goals and 62 assists in 142 NCAA Division 1 games.

He did receive a loan up in 2020/2021 to Rochester Americans for 10 games, where he got a goal and 3 assists.

We do believe the 27-year old, Michigan native is maybe a bit of a late bloomer and will continue to climb.

He signs for his 2nd season with Toledo Walleye and posts career bests 35 goals and 29 assists for 64 points with a +11 rating in 52 games, but then in the playoffs explodes with a most 15 goals and 18 assists, 33 points.

The now 28-year old likes where he sits and signs on to stay for 2022/2023.

He finished last season with a new career highs 39 goals and 42 assists with a +16 rating, then added another 17 points in 13 playoff matchups.

His efforts are rewarded with an invite to spend a 3rd season in Ohio’s very decent-sized community.

In his 3rd season with the same club, he comes away with a league best 40 goals and 93 points to win himself the ECHL Most Valuable Player Award for 2023/2024.

Easily he signs on to stay a fish, Walleye for a 4th frame, 2024/2025.

After 8 games into the 2022/2023 as a 2nd year graduate center Grant Hebert(17) at University Of Maine Black Bears, scoring 1 goal and 2 assists has decided to turn pro, signing for the remainder of the session with Allen Americans.

He transferred in after 3 years at Robert Morris University Colonials, where he put up a college best 8 goals and 15 assists as a junior.

The burly 6’3″ 191 lbs. 25-year old forward from St.Andrews West, ON should be able to connect his scoring in the ECHL.

He would get 8 goals and 18 assists in 37 games, then adds another 6 points (2-4) in 11 playoff matchups with a +1 rating as he gains comfort with his new team.

Makes complete sense for him to gain a new 1-year deal to stay in Allen for his sophomore frame.

In 43 games, he grabs 10 goals and 10 assists that he will take with him to his new deal with Manchester Storm of the EIHL, where he should be able to help them.

Undrafted center, captain David Jankowski(10) 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.

University Of North Dakota Fighting Hawks‘ Swedish-born senior goaltender Ludvig Persson(32) signs with Wheeling Nailers and we will see if he figures in any ECHL playoff action.

The 6′ 181 lbs. net minder transferred from 3 years at Miami University (Ohio) Redhawks, where it couldn’t have been too easy.

He actually played 11 pro games in HockeyEttan before committing to the NAHL for a season of junior hockey that was stellar with Lone Star Brahmas before hitting college.

It will be interesting to see where the 24-year old decides to go.

He plays no games and signs for 2024/2025 with Brynas IF of the SHL.

UMass Minutemen graduate center Matt Koopman(9) came over from 4 decent seasons at Providence College Friars.

His team is eliminated in the opening round of Hockey East playoffs, so he quickly pivots to sign a 1st pro deal with Wheeling Nailers and he’s off and running.

The 5’10” 180 lbs. forward has 3 times scored 5 goals in a college season, including this past one, but always seems like he puts up more points with his style of play.

Considering he left his 2nd season with Waterloo Blackhawks to join his 1st college team, the expectation may have been higher.

The 24-year old Marblehead, MA native could find more opportunities to hit the stat sheet as a pro, but we’ll watch to see.

In 14 ECHL games, he managed a 1st goal and 6 assists with a 0 rating on a non-playoff team.

He likes his experiences as he re-signs to stick for his official rookie season.

16 goals and 18 assists in 71 games with a +4 rating, then 4, 4 and a +4 in 9 playoff matchups and he will be back for another ride in a Nailers‘ jersey for 2024/2025.