CollegeHockeyPlayers

4th year right wing Alec Butcher(11) put up career ECHL numbers by a pretty large stretch last season for Rapid City Rush, scoring 23 goals and 30 assists before adding another 5 points in 11 playoff matchups.

For 2022/2023, he was traded and subsequently signed a 1-year deal with Reading Royals.

In 10 games, the 5’10” 183 lbs. forward has 2 goals and 2 assists.

He did have 10+ goals in each of his first 2 seasons and 18 assists in his 2nd run with Wheeling Nailers.

The Anchorage, AK native skated two campaigns in juniors NAHL for local Kenai Brown Bears , being named league MVP in his 2nd, before heading off to 3 years at Sacred Heart University, where as a sophomore he recorded 22 assists in 37 games, but left in his senior year to head home to University Of Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves.

At 28-years old, he could be getting a bit of a late jump on scoring.

In a full-slate of 72 games he busts out 21 goals and 28 assists with a +8 rating and he will be back in a Royals‘ uniform for 2023/2024.

5th year net minder Charles Williams(1) in his 2nd term with Jacksonville Icemen is off to a good 2-2-1 start with a 2.16 GAA and .919 SV%.

He was decently solid in his first session with the team in 2020/2021.

The 4-year Ferris State University Bulldogs, then transfer portal entry to a graduate year at Canisius College Golden Griffins that really helped him shine with a 21-7-5 record and outstanding 1.82 GAA and .943 SV%.

He’s appeared in 164 ECHL games, posting a 91-53-13 record.

You have to wonder with one more good run, if the 29-year might look overseas for some different kind of ice.

After an overall solid season in net, going 13-14-1 on a win-some-lose-some team, but then holding down for a stellar 1.32 GAA and .952 SV% definitely has him eyeing a return to see if he can’t get the job done for a championship in northern FL.

The 31-year old from Detroit, MI has decided to turn his attention off the ice and agrees to become Goaltending Coach and Director Of Community Hockey Development for the Icemen.

2nd year defenseman Jared Brandt(26) has already surpassed his best goals mark with 3 and looks to eclipse his 7 assists from last season with already 4 in 21 ECHL games this year for Worcester Railers.

The solid 6′ 198 lbs. blue liner graduated from three campaigns at Niagara University Purple Eagles, which follow 1-year at Miami University Ohio Redhawks.

From St. Louis, MO, the 27-year old is definitely a key part to a winning team with a +14 rating.

After a career sophomore year, scoring 3 goals and 11 assists in 56 games with a +6 rating, he becomes trade bait for a forward scorer with more point upside and heads to Kansas City Mavericks for a new start 2023/2024.

Undrafted, junior left wing Neil Shea(38) has played most of his hockey relatively close to home (Marshfield, MA), but after two underperforming seasons at Northeastern University Huskies, he’s branching out to leave for well, Connecticut, joining Sacred Heart University Pioneers in 2021/2022.

He was a prolific scorer when he committed to college in his 1st year at Lawrence Academy, then took it up a notch in his senior season with 24 goals and 34 assists in 32 USHS-Prep games before taking up with draft club, Cedar Rapids RoughRiders for 11 USHL games (1 goal, 2 assists).

The 6’1″ 205 lbs. forward was once again selected and skated his only full season of juniors for Chicago Steel, scoring 15 goals and 28 assists.

It’s possible the switch to Atlantic Hockey style play will connect with the 22-year old’s ability to amass points.

The Massachusetts’ native has scored big with his switch of schools, amassing decent scoring with 4 goals and 10 assists, blowing away his previous college marks, in 20 NCAA Division 1 games.

He finishes up a 2nd season at his new school with a new college best 14 goals and signs a 1st contract, an ato with Chicago Wolves to test the waters.

No doubt, he will have to step up his game to score in the AHL.

He gets a 1st goal in the league and adds 1 assist in 6 games with a +3 rating as a newly turned pro.

For 2023/2024, Toronto Marlies are liking what they see and sign him to a 1-year minor league deal as an official rookie.

He actually skates 64 ECHL games for affiliate Newfoundland Growlers, scoring 18 goals and 19 assists, but is moving on and signs with Colorado Eagles for 2024/2025.

Undrafted right wing Eric Cooley(27) signs a 1st pro contract with last year’s AHL champs, Chicago Wolves for 2022/2023.

The small-ish 5’9″ 185 lbs. forward played a graduate season at Ohio State University Buckeyes after finishing up 4 years at Niagara University Purple Eagles.

He played only a single NAHL season in junior hockey for Amarillo Bulls.

The 24-year old from Pittsburgh, PA should find a little more room to score.

He was also a recent invite to Carolina Hurricanes’ Development Camp.

For most of last season, he would spend with affiliate Norfolk Admirals, skating 42 ECHL games, scoring 9 goals and 10 assists.

He played 7 games with his contract club, recording 1 assist.

Utica Comets see something they can use and sign him up to a 1-year deal for 2023/2024.