Undrafted defenseman Matt Slick(4) takes 4 years, twice captain at Holy Cross College Crusaders and an outstanding performance as a senior scoring college highs 4 goals and 11 points to a year of eligibility and through the transfer portal arrives at Ferris State University Bulldogs, a perfect landing spot to start a graduate program and continue playing some unreal college hockey.
The 6’1″ 214 lbs. blue liner may have suffered a -10 rating last season, but is still one big, tough SOB to play against and will likely bring that level up and blend in well at CCHA play.
We look for the 23-year old to continue to excel and even gain some notice.
Skating away from his year in the midwest, as captain, he grabs 4 goals and 6 assists in 33 games en route to signing his 1st pro deal with Adirondack Thunder, where he has a 1st ECHL goal and an assist in 7 appearances with a +2 rating.
Boston College Eagles‘ graduate goaltender Mitch Benson(1) scored the 5-2 NCAA Division 1 Hockey East First Round win on only 16 shots by the visiting UMass Minutemen.
On the victory to advance, the former 4-year Colgate University Raiders gives us only the slightest glove fist bump to celebrate.
The 6’1″ 185 lbs. undrafted net minder from Windsor, ON will be an interesting watch what’s next once the season is finish.
After a fairly stellar season with his new college club, he signs a 1st pro deal to join Iowa Heartlanders for what’s left of 2023 and in his 3rd game, picks up a 1st ECHL win.
Undrafted center Grant Loven(11) had to jump around a few schools before finding the right home in his graduate season at Canisius College Golden Griffins, who went on to win the 2023 Atlantic Hockey title.
The 6′ 190 lbs. forward had a 2nd solid frame in NAHL juniors with Minot Minotaurus, scoring 13 goals, 35 assists and a +13 rating before committing to his 1st school Northern Michigan University Wildcats , where he actually seemed to be doing pretty decently before midseason decided to switch things up and maybe head to the closer to home University Of St. Thomas Tommies.
From East Grand Forks, MN, the 25-year old signs a 1st pro deal with Fayetteville Marksmen.
We think he’ll contribute well in the SPHL.
Undrafted center Matthew Gleason(15) will switch up 3 years at Colorado College Tigers for a senior year with University Of St. Thomas Tommies.
After very solid high school frames, the 5’9″ 174 lbs. forward skated 13 USHL games for Chicago Steel, but was already on the college team’s radar and asked to join early.
His best frame was as a sophomore, when he got 6 goals and 10 assists.
The 21-year old from St. Paul, MN could have definitely used more junior hockey, but could find more of a scoring touch with his new college club.
Norwich University Cadets‘ senior goaltender Drennen Atherton(1) signs with Orlando Solar Bears as they fight for a playoff spot in the ECHL.
The 6’1″ 212 lbs. net minder was stingy last season giving up just 1.49 GAA with a .944 SV% on a 16-6 record in 22 D3 college hockey games, earning NEHC Goaltender Of The Year.
He came over from 2 seasons at Sacred Heart University Pioneers, but played only once.
The almost oddly Winter Haven, FL native had a pretty good run through junior hockey, mostly tending for Northern Cyclones.
It would be surprising to see the 25-year old not do well where he’s going.
Rivier University Raiders‘ graduating senior right wing Josh Sanchez(67) decides to turn pro and signs a contract to join Elmira Mammoth for the remainder of their 2023 run, which their on the cusp on an FPHL playoff berth.
The 5’9″ 175 lbs. forward scored his 1st goal in his 1st game in a 7-4 loss, so is off to a good start.
He did 2 years at Becker College before leaving as the school folded.
The 23-year old, Potsdam, NY native bounced around juniors mostly, but finished on a super strong showing for Lewiston/Auburn Nordiques, scoring 23 goals and 37 assists in 35 NA3HL games.
Detroit Red Wings‘ 4th round pick in the 2019 draft (#135 overall), Western Michigan State University Spartans‘ transfer, center Red Savage(19) from 2 decent seasons at Miami University (Ohio) Redhawks will likely add to his game under more scrutiny, better competition in the Big10 Division.
The 5’11” 181 lbs. forward isn’t quite the scorer he was in 2 years of USNTDP, when he ran point-per-game stats.
From the unlikely hub of Scottsdale, AZ, the 19-year old will likely see his game totals improve as a junior.
Bemidji State University Beavers‘ graduate right wing Kaden Pickering(18) signs a 1st pro contract with Iowa Heartlanders.
The 5’9″ 181 lbs. forward did 4 years at St. Lawrence University Saints scoring a college best 6 goals and 13 assistsas a senior captain.
He has yet to hit the stat sheet in 2 ECHL games.
The 24-year old from Madrid, NY only did only BCHL season prior to heading to college.
Mercyhurst University Lakers‘ graduate left wing Eric Esposito(7) exploded the stat sheet in his extra session, good for way beyond a college best 17 goals and 15 assists in 35 games.
The 5’11” 188 lbs. forward has finished up and accepted a contract through the end of the season with Orlando Solar Bears.
A University Of New Hampshire Wildcats‘ 4-year player, he did shine on the scoresheet in his final USHL frame for Youngstown Phantoms before college, but struggled to strike in Hockey East.
The 24-year old from West Haven, CT may find the room he needs to score points in the ECHL.
Canisius College Golden Griffins‘ graduate right wing Nick Bowman(13) made the right decision to come over to Atlantic Hockey from 4 years at RPI Engineers, where he was playing in the ECAC.
In 2022/2023, he blew past his college career high, posting 8 goals and 8 assists and helped his team punch into the NCAA Division Semi-Finals.
He only really took up scoring in his last year of junior hockey, skating the NAHL for Coulee Region Chill, scoring 25 goals and 24 assists in 54 games.
The 25-year old Shelby Township, MI native will be interesting to watch his next step.
