A former assistant captain with Northeast Generals, he managed to score new career highs 6 goals and 25 assists in 57 NAHL games with a modest +1 rating on a non-playoff club.
The 6′ 170 lbs. d-man did a pair of years in junior hockey over in Russia’s MHL with Belye Medvedi Chelyabinsk and did alright with points but was a nice +13.
He only left near the onset of his 2nd season back at his 2nd home before coming over to skate for Corpus Christi Icerays but that experiment went south, so he got himself a trade and once in MA, things started improving big.
While he gets into 30 games, he scores 4 assists with tough +/- on a team that didn’t win much.
He would only get into 9 games as a junior, but decides to leave 1 year of school on the table to accept a contract back in Russia VHL with Chelmet Chelyabinsk for 2025/2026.
Alex and I did a Twitter interview on May 16, 2023:
–Can you explain what happened with your time at AIC? I think if I have my info right, you got injured in a preseason game during your freshman year. Did that keep you out of the season or did you just have a hard time cracking the lineup at that point?
So yea, freshman year, we had a scrimmage some pro alums came out, got into a battle with one of them, things got heated and I got dragged to the ground twisting my ankle backwards and spraining it pretty bad. Rest of the year was pretty much a wash after that happened, got a bit healthy and was able to get a game in although not 100%. Otherwise, it was a year of soaking it all in, learning from the guys, watching how they carry themselves.
–It lists you as playing one Yellowjackets’ game. Is that correct?
Yes, one game.
–Why did you take a transfer year and not play?
I was at AIC the start of the year and I felt good, worked a lot on my body that summer and got stronger. Felt great in preseason and going into it. However, my mom got sick, my dad is not longer around and I have two younger siblings so it was very hard for her. Elected to comeback home, use the year as a transfer year and be there for my mom and my family as I felt it was just bigger than hockey. Mom is doing well now! Family is good. Honestly just very happy and relieved she is okay.
–What was the reason for wanting to head to Stonehill College Skyhawks?
Main reason is the opportunity, wanted to get a fresh start, although I am very grateful to Coach Lang, he helped me at AIC and he helped me get to Stonehill which I’m very appreciative of. For me I just need to have a great two years here, get back on track. My pro rights are with Traktor Chelyabinsk of the KHL and they want to see me develop and play a significant role where I’m at and I believe this opportunity at Stonehill will allow me to do just that and hopefully join Traktor in the future.
–It’s close to where you played with the Generals, so did you know of the school back then?
I had a couple of friends of Choate (my high school) go to the Stonehill and they said they loved it. So I had heard of it, but them becoming a D1 independent school definitely magnified the school for me as an option as it’ll allow me to work towards my goals.
–That was a year or 2 before they declared D1. I think they’re schedule will really help you get back into your game.
Yes, this years schedule looks exciting, David and Darrel Borges really want to put Stonehill on the map, and I’m very excited to be a part of helping them achieve what they want to achieve along with building on the culture they want to build.
–Do you feel healthy to get started in a few months?
Yes, although I’ve been home, I’ve been working very hard on my body and my game. I know these next two years are very crucial for me and I am beyond grateful for the opportunity David and Darrel Borges have given. Currently just putting myself in the best position to deliver for them and their program.
The 21-year old will definitely look to continue to shine and is the next subject of our video feature: one question interview.
The 5’9″ 186 lbs. forward bounced around juniors and finally seemed to settle once he got into the NAHL, where he scored 11 goals and 16 assists in 21 games with a +12 rating, then added 6 points in the playoffs before college.
From Los Angeles, CA, the 22-year old will do really well with his new team.
Bentley University Falcons‘ senior and #1 goal scorer for the past two seasons (tied ’19/20), Jakov Novak(86) entered the college transfer portal to head somewhere new for his final season before he will likely be signed to an entry level deal by draft club (round 7, 2018, #177 overall) Ottawa Senators after a breakout campaign in USHL juniors with Janesville Jets.
His new college team is set to become right down the road Northeastern University Huskies for 2021/2022 and his 6’3″ 216 lbs. frame will be very welcome up front to what was sometimes a bit of a struggling club to score in the last frame.
The 22-year old Canadian hothead on ice will be missed in Waltham, but will fit in perfectly the Boston area playing Hockey East style.
He finished up a graduate year with a tied 8 goals in his 2 campaigns at the new school and 4 assists as assistant captain with a +4 rating.
To turn pro, he signs an ato with Allen Americans, who are the new ECHL affiliate of his draft team and has been turning it up with 7 goals and 5 assists in 14 games, heading into the postseason to hopefully continue to fall under their radar for a contract.
For 2023/2024, he signs a minor league deal with Laval Rocketto officially get started as a rookie.
He spends the majority of 2 seasons with affiliate Trois-Riveries Lions and won the 2025 Kelly Cup last season, as pretty much a point-per-game performer.
The 5’11” 170 lbs. forward played two solid frames with the USNTDP after playing high school at St. Sebastian’s Prep, scoring well enough at both levels.
It’s maybe a bit of a wonder as to why he went so high, but he does play like he always shows tremendous upside and is dad is the General Manager of Montreal Canadiens, Kent Hughes.
Originally a Boston Bruins‘ 7th round pick in the 2015 draft (#195 overall), he performed maybe a little better in 2 frames of USHL junior hockey for Sioux Falls Stampede.
From Dellwood, MN, the 26-year has found his gear and now is settling in.
In 33 games on loan to parent club, Texas Stars, he scores 5 goals and 2 assists and no points in 5 playoff games after virtual point-per-game numbers in the lower league.
He definitely will be back for 2024/2025 to earn more AHL time.
Appearing in 70 games last season, he scores 11 goals and 7 assists with a +2 rating, then adds 4 points (2-2) in 14 playoff matchups.
He’s currently just about a point per game performer with 12 goals and 11 assists in 29 NAHL appearances this season, which goes along with career high marks set in 2019/2020, when he popped 15 goals and 22 assists in 46 games with a +14 and 127 penalty minutes, including more than a few fighting majors.
That number has been taken to a new level in the current calendar with 169 minutes spent in the box already and the season still has a bit of a ways to go.
The 20-year old should fit nicely into Hockey East style of play.
After 61 games in the division, the always tough to play against, undrafted Wasilla resident has decided to head home and skate for University Of Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves for 2023/2024.
He plays 2 seasons and decides to turn pro, signing a 1-year ECHL deal with Worcester Railers, where he will join his brother Tanner.
Colgate University Raiders‘ graduate, captain defenseman Reid Irwin(43) scored a new college best 6 goals and 17 points in 32 games last season, which he took to a 1st pro contract with Wichita Thunderand scored a 1st ECHL goal and assist in 9 games.
The 6’1″ 198 lbs. blue liner decides to sign with Belfast Giants of the EIHL for his official rookie year, 2025/2026.
The 6′ 195 lbs. forward played 3 full slates at Quinnipiac University Bobcats‘ scoring exactly 10 points in each of the sessions.
From Anmore, BC, he did 2 years of BCHL with Langley Rivermen before heading to school.
Having not played in the 2022/2023 campaign, it will be interesting to see what the 22-year old decides next.
As graduate captain a 2nd season, he scores a new college best 17 goals and 25 assists in 37 games to sign a 1st pro deal with the new Greensboro Gargoyles for his rookie frame, 2025/2026.
He came over in an effort to take up his play after basically exploding the NAHL stat sheet with New Jersey Titans, scoring 21 goals and 15 assists in 40 games.
The small 5’7″ 164 lbs. forward is likely hoping to step right in and score some NCHC time.
