Macon Mayhem 2nd year defenseman Mike Kuprinski(11) re-signs for 2026/2027 after scoring a new SPHL best 2 goals and 13 assists last season.
The big 6’4″ 229 lbs. blue liner did 4 years at UMASS-Boston Beacons, scoring college hockey best as a senior with 3 goals and 11 assists in 23 games.
From Murphy, TX, the 26-year old will continue to take up his league play.
Utica University Pioneers‘ senior right wing Alex Gomez(23) has a lot of size at 6’4″ 190 lbs., but doesn’t get to the net as much as you might think.
He came over from his junior year at University Of Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves.
From Parker, CO, the 25-year old did get 25 assists in his final junior year before school.
For 2026/2027, he signs a 1st pro deal with Port Huron Prowlers of the FPHL.
HC Rhode Island 2nd year defenseman Ruslan Weaver(10) scores a junior EHL high 7 goals and 24 assists in 49 games, then added another 5 points in the playoffs.
The 5’11” 176 lbs. blue liner commits to close by new D3 school University Of St. Joseph Blue Jays for 2026/2027.
From Tampa, FL, the 21-year old will play well on the independent schedule.
New Jersey 87’s 2nd year 6’6″ 212 lbs. goaltender Mitch Stenger(33) commits 2026/2027 to St. Olaf College Oles.
From Wilton, CT, the 21-year old will definitely look to step into his game.
Albertus Magnus College Falcons‘ senior center Tim Manning(12) signed a pro contract with Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs upon finishing up tournament play.
The 5’10” 181 lbs. gritty forward has skated 12 SPHL games, scoring 2 goals and 2 assists before opting out of the playoffs.
He scored an identical 7 goals and 10 assists as a junior and senior, but scored best, 11 goals and another 10 assists as a sophomore.
From Concord, OH, he scored big at USHS-Prep before juniors.
The 24-year did 1 year of EHL junior hockey for Valley Jr. Warriors and was a lead for that team.
No surprise, he is finding room as a pro.
After 54 games scoring 7 goals and 16 assists with a +2 rating, then adding 2 more points in the playoffs, he is an easy invite to continue a Rail Yard Dawgs for 2026/2027.
Tulsa Oilers recently picked up 3rd year defenseman Connor Fedorek(2) for cash from Norfolk Admirals, where he spot most of his pro time.
In 6 games with his new team, he has an ECHL goal, but is a -7 to work on.
The 6′ 185 lbs. blue liner did 3 years at Ferris State University Bulldogs, but switched it up to go D3 as a senior at Utica University Pioneers and did extremely well with 4 goals and 21 assists.
From Bethel Park, PA, the 27-year old will likely settle with his new club.
He came away with 1 goal and 2 assists in 13 games and is re-signed to return an Oilers for a full frame, 2026/2027.
4th year left wing Peter Laviolette(11) got ECHL waived and picked up quick by Savannah Ghost Pirates in hopes to get him producing points the way his size 6’4″ 220 lbs. thinks it should.
He was almost a point-per-game scorer in his graduate year at Plymouth State University Panthers.
Twice did he score 11 points with West Virginia hometown Wheeling Nailers, a team he spent 3 seasons with.
The 28-year old is the son of Coach Laviolette.
After 12 games, he decides for 2026/2027 to head behind of the bench of his old club in Wheeling and serve as an assistant coach.
Part of a new feature we would like to introduce is junior players, so far as of yet committed at a college and highlight some of these skaters as they grow through the ranks.
Long Beach Sharks‘ 1st year Czechian-born left wing Michael Stojka(8) is one to watch to move up from his new NA3HL status.
The 5’10” 170 lbs. forward, sometimes defenseman moves the puck really way and has the abilities to make offensive zone plays with good, swift moving, smart hands.
In 15 games, he has 2 goals and 10 assists with a +1 rating.
The 18-year old should play himself onto higher radar.
After 45 EHL games with Express Hockey Club, scoring 6 goals and 18 assists, he commits 2026/2027 to SUNY Morrisville Mustangs.
Anna Maria College AMCATS‘ senior 3-time captain defenseman Derek Raposo(21) signs a 1st pro contract with Knoxville Ice Bears.
He squeezed into 5 regular season SPHL games and has skated 3 in the playoffs, but no points yet.
The always big guy, D3 d-man at 6’3″ 200 lbs. scored a college best 26 assists and 31 points with a +16 rating in 27 games last season.
From Hannon, ON, the 25-year old skated a couple Canadian junior leagues before college.
He would notch 2 points in 8 playoff games and will take it overseas to a rookie season with Bisons Les Neuilly-sur-Marne of France2, 2025/2026.
Matt Wiesner(25) comes off a 3rd D3 season of 10+ goal scoring for Babson College Beavers to sign a 1st pro contract for 2022/2023 with Greenville Swamp Rabbits.
At just 5’9″ 165 lbs. he will definitely have to move around some to find scoring space in the ECHL, but definitely could do so.
He was a 20 goal, 20 assist scorer in his 2nd NAHL season for Northeast Generals.
The Newport Beach, CA native looks to potentially be able to be loaned to Birmingham Bulls of the SPHL, but he’s likely trying to just look forward.
He has been good for 10+ goals and assists 3 years in the league and is off to a good start 2025/2026 with 1 goal and 5 assists in 14 games, but finds himself traded to Fayettesville Marksmen, which should prove to be a good landing spot.
Scoring well, he is traded for a 2nd time in a frame, heading to Peoria Rivermen for the balance of the frame.
After spending time with a 3rd team last season, he signs to return to his 1st league team in Birmingham for 2026/2027.
