SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – The Union College men’s hockey team unveiled its 2025-26 schedule on Wednesday afternoon, highlighted by 18 regular-season games and one exhibition contest at the brand-new M&T Bank Center as well as the program’s second trip across the pond for the annual Friendship Four in Belfast. “We are incredibly excited for the 2025-26 season […]

Originally Published: June 11, 2025 at 9:08 PM EDT

NORTHFIELD, Vt.- The New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) announced its 2024–25 All-Academic Team selections on Wednesday, with 22 Norwich University men’s ice hockey student-athletes earning recognition for their academic achievements.

To be eligible, student-athletes must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 and have completed at least one full academic year at their institution. Norwich’s 22 honorees reflect the program’s strong commitment to educational excellence and leadership development, tying the Cadets with New England College and Salve Regina for the most representatives.

 

Eleven cadets make their first appearance on the list as sophomores, while Kerner, Lewis, Doggett, and Galotti each make their third appearance during their senior years.

In the final season of NEHC competition, the Cadets finished with a berth in the conference title game. The maroon and gold look to continue their excellent tradition in the Little East Conference (LEC) under new Head Coach Dominick Dawes.

 

College hockey has become a completely new playing field for all teams alike. 

On Nov. 7, 2024, it was announced that players in the Canadian Hockey League – which includes the QMJHL, OHL and WHL – would now have the opportunity to step into another league before heading onto professional hockey, allowing for those who desire to play NCAA hockey and experience the culture of college hockey. The ruling means big changes in the world of college hockey.

With the desire to head to college and play at another level before signing professional contracts, an expansion of National Collegiate Athletic Association hockey could be coming sooner than some think. This could lead to teams heading to the south and stretching across the United States. NCAA hockey opening up to the CHL will allow for talent to swarm the league, but with the incoming talent comes more challenges. The difficulty of play could see a potential heighten. 

But the potential of Michigan State hockey’s future is as bright as a team can be. With a top recruiting class, a strong swing at needed spots in the transfer portal and two of the top players in their respective positions returning for one more season, the 2025-26 team is one that could look to bring home a national championship. 

Cayden Lindstrom has been the biggest name to announce a commitment to Michigan State. While the numbers on the score sheet may not be as impressive as a number of others in the CHL, his skill makes up for it. The six-foot-four center had 27 goals and 19 assists during the 2023-2024 season, unfortunately missing the 24-25 season to a back surgery. He stepped back onto the ice for the WHL playoffs and made an immediate impact with two goals and two assists. 

With the loss of former center Karsen Dorwart to a professional contract with the Philadelphia Flyers, the position of a first line center could be a spot Lindstrom takes. The center’s defensive ability tags him as a strong two-way center, using his strong forecheck to bring the puck back into the offensive zone, while seeing the ice really well and creating cross ice passes to make room for others to take the puck to the net. The one-time shot of Lindstrom is also another strong spot, serving well on the power play as a goal scorer. 

Lindstrom told The Columbus Dispatch about his commitment to the Spartans, knowing that any school in the NCAA would have been happy to have him on the team. He told the publication that MSU seemed like it was the best fit for him and his development. 

Residing from Pickering, Ontario Canada and chosen as a 2024 sixth round pick to the Vancouver Canucks in the NHL draft, Anthony Romani joins the Spartans for his freshman year in the green and white this upcoming season. Playing a majority of this past season with the Barrie Colts, Romani grabbed 19 goals and 12 assists during his season, including an impressive post-season run, totaling 12 goals and 24 points. 

Defenseman Chase Reid resides from Chesterfield, Michigan and committed for the 2026-27 season. Reid played with the Soo Greyhounds during 24-25, putting up seven goals and 33 assists. The right handed defenseman is eligible for the 2026 NHL draft.  

One of the hottest players off of the CHL market happens to be a former teammate of Lindstrom, that being Gavin McKenna – the projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. McKenna played in 56 games for the Medicine Hat Tigers, putting up 41 impressive goals and 88 assists, putting him at 129 points through the season. He added an additional 38 points during the WHL playoffs.

McKenna is crafty. With speed, agility and impressive above-all-else stick handling, the six-foot, 165 pound left winger is a player that could fit into a starting position with the Spartans. His next-step decision remains uncertain, exploring other options such as the University of Michigan and Penn State, but Michigan State remains in the rumor of names that have struck McKenna’s interest. 

The Wolverines and Nittany Lions have been two teams that have been in the spotlight of the Big Ten when it comes to CHL recruiting. The biggest name between the two continues to be McKenna, whose name has continuously swirled around the Big Ten. Originally, it was certain that McKenna would be bringing his talents to Ann Arbor, but now the question remains up in the air.

While Michigan has done stellar recruiting in the CHL department, picking up a forward and a defenseman for the upcoming season, as well as a commit for the 2026-27 season, Penn State has been a team that has continued to stick out greatly. 

The Nittany Lions have grabbed three forwards, two defenseman and a goaltender for the upcoming season, while also making sure to create waves in the transfer portal. One pick in the portal was Mac Gadowsky, the son of Penn State head coach Guy Gadowsky. 

With the second half of the season from the Nittany Lions still looming into next season, riding high on their first Frozen Four appearance in school history, the Big Ten will yet again be a tough conference to play in, continuing to get harder with new additions. 

College hockey has made major developments over the last number of years. Between moving teams from Division III to Division I, conferences making additions by adding new NCAA programs and now adding the ability to recruit top tier talent, collegiate hockey is set to only make strides forward.

For the first time, staff at Fort Hamilton H.S. decided to celebrate all the students that had earned athletic college scholarships to join together in one event for the outgoing seniors. Organized by Jennifer Izzo, the college and career counselor put out the following announcement:

“On May 22, 2025, Fort Hamilton High School celebrated our seniors’ academic and athletic achievements. Decision Day is a special time to recognize and showcase their dedication and excellence with many earning acceptance into competitive universities such as Cornell, Columbia and Binghamton, and securing spots on NCAA Division I, II and III programs.”

The college bound seniors and their sport are:

Tim Tan – Stony Brook University NCAA Division I football; Aidan Farley – Houston Christian University NCAA Division I football; August Porter – Lane College NCAA Division II football and baseball; Pedro Gil Padilla – Monroe University NJCAA Division 1 JUCO baseball; Johan Reyes – St. Joseph University NCAA Division III baseball; Alexander Pope – Binghamton University NCCA Division I track & field; Sofia Polizzi – Connecticut College NCAA Division III ice hockey; Jayden Yiu – Hunter College NCAA Division III volleyball; Isabella Tchij – Hunter College NCAA Division III tennis; Loredonna Wolovich – St. Joseph’s University NCAA Division III flag football; and Mari Gveilani – Penn State NCAA Division I tennis.