Penn State University Nittany Lions‘ junior defenseman Mac Gadowsky(4) transferred from 2 years at Army West Point Black Knights, where he had 16 goals and 26 assists as a sophomore.
The 6’3″ 190 lbs. blue liner did 2 years of juniors, part of his 2nd with hometown Fairbanks Ice Dogs from Alaska before school.
In 20 games, the 24-year old has 7 assists in a Big Ten Conference scoring isn’t quite as easy.
2nd year Merrimack College Warriors‘ graduate center Max Newton(10) looks to be on his way to blowing out any scoring he was able to managed at University Of Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks having already pocketed 7 goals and 8 assists in 14 games with a +3 rating to start the 2021/2022 session.
He was a good scorer through his first two years at the BCHL, but really popped on a shift to a new team, Cowichan Valley Capitals with 25 goals and 34 assists in 58 games.
The 5’10” 184 lbs. 25-year old will be an interesting watch to see what might materialize for this skater that plays with full-on compete next.
When his team pushed Hockey East playoffs as far as they would go, he quickly turned his attention to signing an spc with Worcester Railers to finish off the 2021/2022 season.
In his debut, he records an assist, then follows it up with his 1st ECHL goal in the next game to match his Merrimack pal he signed contracts with.
After scoring 3 goals and 5 assists in 13 games and getting a 2 game loan up to Providence Bruins, notching an assist, he signs for his official rookie session with rival Reading Royals, where scoring will continue to come for one of the hardest workers out there.
He exploded scoring in the league last season to the tune of 34 goals and 38 assists in 67 games, then added another 10 points in 10 playoff games.
For 2023/2024, the Vancouver, BC will take it up a notch, signing with HK Dukla Michalovce of Slovak Extraliga.
After scoring decently, he leaves for DEL2 and signs with Krefeld Pinguin, where his stats explode beyond goal-per-game numbers and he is doing it again for a 2nd straight season to earn himself a contract to stay 2 more through 2027/2028.
Curry College Colonels‘ sophomore net minder Thomas Heaney(33) transferred from little work at University Of Connecticut Huskies.
The 6’1″ 170 lbs. goalie has 5/6 start with a 2.37 GAA with maybe a bit of a split record, but is looking really good.
From Oceanport, NJ, the 21-year old did 2 years with Maine Nordiques before heading to school.
Long Island University Lakers‘ graduate goaltender Vinnie Purpura(33) signs a 1st contract upon completing his 5th year with Adirondack Thunder and gets pressed into play his 1st ECHL game right away.
In his 2nd game, the 6’6″ 194 lbs. backstop pulls off a 1st 6-2 win after losing his debut effort in overtime.
He originally committed to Boston University Terriers , where he was used sparingly in 2 seasons, after a solid 2nd USHL frame with Omaha Lancers.
The 24-year from Lemont, IL may just find his game completely as he’s turned pro.
He would post a 2-0 record in 4 appearances, but he couldn’t have been happy with his numbers, so he signs to return for another look in a Thunder jersey for 2023/2024.
Through 25 starts, he posts a 15-4-4 record, but doesn’t have a new deal, so his rights are claimed by Reading Royals for 2024/2025.
After a decent season stopping pucks, he will returns a Royals for 2025/2026.
And yikes, he goes 3-0 to start with a .099 GAA and .967 SV%, but maybe playing time is a tiny bit of an issue here and he gets moved to Savannah Ghost Pirates, who can use them to bolster their claims.
He continues with his good game, posting a 4-2 record, 1.92 GAA and .939 SV% to score himself a 1-way AHL deal with Charlotte Checkers for the 2nd half of the 2026 season.
Western New England University Golden Bears‘ 6’5″ 225 lbs. left wing Nolan Dawson(9) was at Curry College Colonels, playing a rough average of 20 games per frame, but just as he did after his freshman year at Saint Mary’s University Cardinals, he decides to switch things up and arrives for his senior session.
He has 2 goals and 2 assists in 11 games, which could see him turn new college best numbers, assuredly in tallies.
From Airdrie, AB, he played mostly 4 years of junior hockey in 3 different northern leagues, but only twice made it work for extended stays.
We don’t think it out of the question for him to add a year of eligibility, where he is.
As a graduate, he scores a college tying best 6 goals and adds a new high 9 assists and 15 points.
He takes these totals to a 1st pro deal and signs with Evansville Thunderbolts, where his size could help him score as a pro in the SPHL.
Officially signing for his rookie season in the FPHL, he is scoring well, but decides to head for Finland’s tier 3 league, Suomi-sarja signing with Muik Hockey for the rest of 2025/2026.
Merrimack College Warriors‘ graduate, new captain Antonio Venuto(37) transfer from 4 years at Ferris State University Bulldogs posted a college best 12 goals and 14 assists last season before coming over.
The 6’3″ 201 lbs. forward looks very much like he is ready to put this club on his back and ride.
From Whitmore Lake, MI, he came up through the Compuware system before doing 1 year NAHL, 1 USHL prior to school.
The 24-year old really looks very ready to shoulder the load.
He scores 8 goals and 6 assists in 35 games and very much looks the part of team leader out there, which is an easy score to a 1st pro deal with Kalamazoo Wings.
After 6 ECHL games, scoring 2 assists with a 0 rating, he is easily asked to return for 2025/2026 for his rookie season to stay a Wings.
He is scoring nicely, but Maine Mariners come calling to pick him up as a future consideration from an earlier deal they made.
Nichols College Bison junior right wing Jeremy Tremblay(71) has almost played more games this season than he did in 2 years at Albertus Magnus College Falcons.
In 11 games, he has a college best by a mile 4 goals and 3 assists with a +5 rating.
From Orford, QC, the 23-year old did 2 years of juniors up there before committing to school.
We think he can pop point-per-game numbers.
University Of Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves‘ graduate center Tanner Edwards(91) already has a college best scoring with just 2 goals and 4 assists in 15 games to go along with a +3 rating is doing nicely.
The 6’1″ 170 lbs. returns home to play a year of eligibility and only ever appeared in 21 games through 4 years at Minnesota State University Mavericks.
He is easily being used and is excelling in all game situations.
The 24-year old does look great out there with his new club and has to have a smile on his face every game.
He plays a new high, by a mile 31 games, scoring 3 goals and 5 assists, then signs a 1st pro contract with Florida Everblades for his rookie season, 2025/2026.
Waived close to the calendar year, he is quickly scooped by Toledo Walleye.
He gets into 1 ECHL game with his new team and South Carolina Stingrays come seeking his duties in a trade for future considerations.
Great side story, his dad, Jeff actually played for the team in the late 90’s.
After 8 games with no points, he gets moved to Adirondack Thunder, where in his debut he scores for a very nice start.
RPI Engineers‘ junior portal transfer from Northeastern University, left wing T.J. Walsh(13) has easily made the best hockey decision to switch up schools and join the ECAC.
The 5’9″ 165 lbs. forward has already blown the lid off his previous scoring, tying his college career high 2 goals and new best by lots 8 assists with a +2 rating in 15 games.
He only managed to light up scoring in his final year of juniors at Des Moines Buccaneers, getting 17 goals and 32 assists in 53 USHL games before hitting school.
The Shrewsbury, MA native did have one almost earth shattering session for Shattuck St. Mary’s 14U AAA, grabbing more than goal per game totals, 71 goals and 65 assists in 66 games.
Now that the switch is made and the season is off and running with the results he’s seeing, you got to think there’s a little smile on his face for 2021/2022.
In his senior year, he scored a new college best 7 goals, but his 15 assists as a 3rd year player stood as that category high.
For a graduate session, the undrafted 23-year old is heading to Sacred Heart University Pioneers and will compete some Atlantic Hockey for 2023/2024.
He scores a college best 13 goals and 13 assists for 26 points in his final frame and takes it to a 1st pro deal with Orlando Solar Bears, which should heed him good points in the ECHL.
In 2 games he has an assist.
For his rookie season, 2024/2025 he ultimately decides to sign with Iowa Heartlanders.
After a solid 43 point season in 66 games, he gets himself traded to his hometown team, Worcester Railers for 2025/2026.
In 11 games, he has only 2 assists, so Indy Fuel see what’s happening and offer up some future considerations to bring him over.
UMass-Lowell Riverhawks‘ Latvian-born, graduate goaltender Gustavs Davis Grigals(31) signs a 1st pro deal with Milwaukee Admirals for 2023/2024, but has joined the club for the Calder Cup playoff push, although not likely to see action.
The 6’2″ 196 lbs. net minder had a 12-9-2 record with a 2.05 GAA and .924 SV%, including 2 shutouts.
He was better than any previous season he played at University Of Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks, but did have 1 outstanding run through the NAHL juniors with Shreveport Mudbugs.
The 24-year old should be a standout performer as a rookie.
Parent club, Nashville Predators step in as the season is wrapping up and sign him for the current frame to an NHL contract, in a move we can only feel has implications for next season moving forward.
He is mostly sent to play in the ECHL for his rookie season and he decides to move back closer to home, signing with HK Dukla Trencin of Slovak Extraliga, where we think he re-finds his game.
After 5 games, he will switch things up and move on to Finland’s top hockey, Liiga signing with SaiPa for 2024/2025.
We do think it gels for him here.
In 15 games, he has a 8-6-1 record with a 2.96 GAA and .899 SV%, which is good enough for him to earn an invite for another season, 2026/2027 to stay at SaiPa.
