Apr 12, 2025; St. Louis, Missouri, UNITED STATES; Boston University Terriers defenseman Sascha Boumedienne (78) defends against Western Michigan Broncos forward Alex Bump (20) during the second period of the Frozen Four college ice hockey national championship at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Connor Hamilton-Imagn Images

VOORHEES, N.J. – After a dream season at Western Michigan University – one that ended with the school’s first National Championship. Alex Bump chose to sign his entry-level contract with the Philadelphia Flyers. 

He immediately went to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in the AHL and played their final two regular season games of the season. 

In those two games he scored a goal and had two assists. It was a small sample, but it was an example of why the Flyers have been ecstatic about the development of their 2022 5th round pick.

The Flyers were willing to have him come up to the NHL at the end of the season and play a game to make his NHL debut. It would have been a reward for a great sophomore season at Western Michigan where he had 47 points in 42 regular season games, and scored the dramatic, double-overtime game-winner in the NCAA National Semifinal against University of Denver to advance to the National Championship game. 

It would seemingly be a dream come true. But for Bump, he thought the dream could wait a little longer. 

Instead, he chose to stay with the Phantoms, who were gearing up for the Calder Cup playoffs.

“Just playing more meaningful games in playoffs,” Bump said as Flyers development Camp kicked off in earnest on Wednesday. “Definitely higher intensity. Guys care, I think, a little bit more.

“I didn’t think it was worth it to waste one year on my contract for one game. Just tried to go down there (to Lehigh Valley) and learn as much as I could.”

Alex Bump snipe and shrug pic.twitter.com/Nok92B77m4

— Travis Ballinghoff (@travieballin26) July 2, 2025

That kind of thought process impressed the Flyers. Because he didn’t play that one game, his contract slides forward a year, meaning the first year doesn’t begin until the coming season. Had he played that game, he would have become a restricted free agent following the 2026-27 season, now, it won’t be until 2027-28. 

He’s fine with that, because he knows the NHL opportunity will come. 

Maybe as soon as October.

With uncertainty swirling around the offseason injury to Tyson Foerster (the Flyers insist they are hopeful, but the odds are looking more like he will miss a good chunk of time into the season), there will be an opening on the wing for someone in the organization to take the job. 

While General Manager mentioned a few names that could be in contention for that job, the first name through his lips was Bump. 

Others in the organization are equally excited by the possibility. 

“He was playing high school hockey a couple years ago in Minnesota,” said Flyers Director of Player Development Riley Armstrong. “Then he goes into Western Michigan and as a freshman he started on the fourth line. He’s only continued to grow since. He was a standout last season. 

“When he jumped to the American League, he noticed a difference in the way guys compete in the pro game in the corners. They’re a little bit bigger. A little bit stronger, and he was getting knocked off pucks in the Hershey series. That’s something we talked about and addressed with him. I think a lot of that is just the gym work and getting a little bit stronger. You look at his fame and if he gets up to 200-205 pounds, I don’t think too many guys will be knocking him off the block.”

And then, with a bit of a grin, Armstrong added, “I do think he’s going to have a great shot at making it out of camp here, if he brings his game.”

One on one at the Frozen Four with @NHLFlyers draft pick and Western Michigan winger Alex Bump pic.twitter.com/dzwMVD4rv3

— BucciOT.Com (@Buccigross) April 9, 2025

For Bump, he wants to open eyes and make the Flyers seriously consider him for a job on the NHL club, but he said Briere hasn’t spoken to him directly about the possible opportunity.

“Not at all,” he said. “And I’m just trying to stay in my lane. I’ll let him decide whether he wants me (on the roster) or not. I’ll try my best to move forward and make him choose me.”

Other players who could be in the mix include prospects like 2024 first rounder Jett Luchanko and 2025 first rounder Porter Martone.

But many believe Bump has the inside track, which is impressive for a lottery ticket of a draft pick three years ago. 

And if it does happen, making his NHL debut on Opening Night of the 2025-26 season will have been well worth the wait. 

 

Former Minnesota Duluth forward Cole Koepke is on the move again this offseason after signing a one-year, $1 million deal with the Winnipeg Jets as an unrestricted free agent on Tuesday, July 1.

Koepke, 27, is coming off career highs in NHL games (73) and points (10-7—17) last season playing left wing for the Boston Bruins, a highlight in an otherwise-lost season for the Bruins, who missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016 and had a losing record for the first time since 2007.

With the addition of Koepke, the Jets now have four former Bulldogs (Alex Iafallo, Dylan Samberg and Neal Pionk) on their roster. Samberg remains a restricted free agent as of Wednesday.

Koepke was originally drafted 183rd overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2018. He finished with 75 points (38-37—75) over three seasons at UMD.

Former Hobey Baker winner Scott Perunovich signed a one-year, two-way contract worth $755,000 with the Utah Mammoth.

The 26-year-old left-shot defenseman from Hibbing entered the offseason as an unrestricted free agent after not receiving a qualifying offer from his former team, the New York Islanders. Perunovich was traded to the Islanders after 24 games with the St. Louis Blues last season, recording six points (2-4—6).

In 11 games with the Islanders, Perunovich finished with three points (0-3—3).

Goaltender Hunter Shepard agreed to a one-year, two-way contact with the Ottawa Senators at an average annual value of $775,000.

The 29-year old Cohasset native played almost exclusively in the AHL last season for the Hershey Bears, compiling a 23-11-4 regular season record with a goals against average of 2.80 and a save percentage of .891.

Shepard previously won back-to-back Calder Cup championships with the Bears in 2023 and 2024. He was named MVP of the AHL Playoffs in 2023.

Shepard made five starts for the Washington Capitals over the last two seasons.

Winnipeg Jets unrestricted free agent Dominic Toninato inked a two-way, two-year deal with the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday at an average annual value of $850,000.

The 31-year-old left wing and Duluth East alum suited up for five games with the Jets, while playing the bulk of the season for the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League. Toninato racked up 36 points (18-18—36) in 60 games as captain of the Moose.

Riley Tufte signed a one-year, two-way deal with the Boston Bruins on Tuesday worth $775,000.

The 27-year-old winger is coming off of a 42-point regular season with the Providence Bruins of the AHL. He added six points (4-2—6) in eight playoff games as well.

Tufte suited up for six games with the Boston Bruins last season.

Blake Biondi agreed to a one-year, one-way deal with the Chicago Wolves of the AHL on Monday, June 30.

The 23-year old forward from Hermantown skated in seven games with the Wolves after racking up 27 points (12-15—27) in his final season at Notre Dame. Prior to his stint with the Fighting Irish, the 2020 Minnesota Mr. Hockey winner compiled 58 points (30-28—58) in four seasons at UMD.

Biondi was originally drafted by the Montreal Canadiens with the 109th pick in the 2020 NHL Draft but did not sign.

Goaltender Ryan Fanti signed a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000 to stay with the Tampa Bay Lightning organization.

Fanti, 25, spent the bulk of last season in the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) with the Orlando Solar Bears, compiling a .907 save percentage over 37 games. In seven starts with the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch, Fanti finished with a 1.45 goals against average and a .946 save percentage.

Will Francis inked a new one-year standard player contract to stay with the San Diego Gulls of the AHL.

Francis, a 6-foot-5 defenseman from St. Paul, skated in three games for the Gulls last season. He appeared in five games in his final season with the Bulldogs, concluding a career that was affected by a 2020 leukemia diagnosis, a 2024 bone marrow transplant and two recurrences.

7

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Marjory Stoneman Douglas students and brothers, Rylan Lujo and Rolando Lujo have announced their college picks.

Rylan is set to play in the SEC with the University of Georgia after winning four State championships at MSD.

“I am super excited and thankful to all the coaches and staff at Georgia to give me this opportunity to play at the next level., Luzon said. “Also,  very thankful to the Dayton coaches and community for setting me up to succeed.

Rylan, who graduated in 2024, was an All-American and was an Atlantic 10 Freshman of the Week three times after starting his college career at the University of Dayton.. He hit .361 with nine home runs and 56 RBIs while the team won 27 games a season ago.

The grandson of former World Series Champion Rennie Stennett, he hit .407 during his high school career, along with 10 home runs and 81 RBIs. He also hit .453 as a senior and won three National Championships under Coach Todd Fitz-Gerald.

Rylan is set to join a University of Georgia baseball team that went 43-17 a season ago. They had a win against Binghamton in their first postseason game, but went on to fall against Duke and Oklahoma State.

“I feel like I am where I’m supposed to be and eager to get to work, and I am going to show Georgia they indeed got themselves a ‘DAWG‘,” Lujo added. “

Rolando will be playing at Keiser University and won a  State and National Championship with MSD in 2021. 

“It’s super exciting to be able to have the opportunity to play for a great team like Keiser. Rolando said. “I am thrilled to develop my game and meet new people there.”

Rolando spent two seasons on the varsity baseball team. He hit .450, drove in a pair of RBIs, and scored eight runs. In college, Rolando played for Erskine College and the University of Fort Lauderdale, shining with a .388 batting average. He hit nine home runs and also drove in 66 runs. 

“I believe my game has skyrocketed since high school, Rolanda added. I just think that I’ve gained more strength and muscle since then, and it has really helped me on the baseball field.

Keiser is coming off a season in which they went 37-17 and reached the NAII Regionals, winning two games. 

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Matt Rothman

Matt Rothman is a 2018 graduate from Florida Gulf Coast University receiving his bachelor’s degree in journalism and then graduated from the University of Florida as a graduate student. He also works for the Mohave Valley Daily News in Bullhead City, Arizona covering high school sports.

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PRINCETON, N.J. – On Wednesday, the Ivy League announced its annual academic at-large team, recognizing five members of the Big Green across four sports.
 
Junior Katelyn Walker of women’s rugby, senior Chloe Terestchenko of equestrian, senior Faye Benjamin of sailing, and senior Luke Allan and junior Ava Thurston of skiing earned this year’s honor.
 
Read more about each student-athlete’s accomplishments below.
 
Katelyn Walker, Junior, Psychology, Women’s Rugby
Walker was second on the team in scoring during 15s season as she had eight tries for 40 points. In the spring 7s season, she was once again a top scorer, posting 50 points with 14 coming in the CRAA National Championship. Following the season, Walker was called up to the USA Falcons which is the top development team for USA Rugby.
 
Chloe Terestchenko, Senior, PSNS QSS, Equestrian
Terestchenko was 2-4 over fences with a 3-3 flat record in the regular season while earning one MOP (Most Outstanding Performer). In the postseason, she went 3-1 in fences while winning once in flats to help lead Dartmouth to a NCEA National Championship for the first time in program history.
 
Faye Benjamin, Senior, English, Women’s & Open Sailing
Benjamin competed in 15 regattas her senior season, kicking off the fall with a first-place finish at the Harvard Invitational. She finished in the top ten in five more fall regattas. In the spring, all eight of her finishes were in the top ten, as her best finish came at the NEISA Women’s Team Race Championship and the Georgetown Women’s Team Race, earning third. She also competed at the ICSA Women’s Team Race National Championship and the Women’s Fleet Race National Championship.

Luke Allan, Senior, Economics, Men’s Nordic Skiing

Allan raced in every EISA Carnival this season, earning podium finishes in ten of his 12 races. Five of those finishes were wins, as he was recognized as the EISA Freestyle leader at the conclusion of the circuit. Allan earned All-American status in both NCAA Championship races this season thanks to a fourth-place finish in the 7.5K Classic and sixth place in the 20K Freestyle race. He also earned CSC All-District at Large honors.

 

Ava Thurston, Junior, Psychology, Women’s Nordic Skiing

Thurston competed in every carnival as a junior for the Big Green, finishing on the podium in all but two races. She won five total races, the Bates 15K Freestyle, Dartmouth 7.5K Freestyle, Middlebury Freestyle Sprint, St. Michael’s 3×5 Classic Relay, and the Middlebury 10K Classic, helping to name her the EISA Freestyle point leader. Thurston was also a two time All-American at this year’s national championship thanks to seventh and fourth place finishes. She also earned CSC All-District at Large honors.

 

CLIFTON PARK, N.Y.  – A program-record 22 student-athletes on the Union College women’s hockey team have been named to the 2024-25 ECAC Hockey All-Academic Team, the conference announced on Wednesday.

The 22 honorees this season surpass the previous record of 20, which was first set in 2019-20 and matched last year. To be eligible for the All-Academic Team, student-athletes must have a cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or have a GPA over 3.0 over the last three trimesters.

Six seniors – Ashley Adams, Maren Friday, Paige Greco, Emma Hebert, Maya Jones and Maddie Suitor – were all honored for the fourth consecutive season, while Friday was honored with a spot on the Commissioner’s List for the third year in a row, as the program’s top scholar-athlete from the 2024-25 season.

Individuals previously named to the team are designated with an asterisk (*) signifying the number of years previously honored.

All of Union’s 22 All-Academic selections are listed below:

***Ashley Adams, Sr., Psychology and Economics
Mikayla Blomquist, So., Managerial Economics
Stephanie Bourque, Jr., Psychology
Sara Da Silva, Fy., Economics
*Kendal Davidson, So., Mechanical Engineering
Quinn Dunkle, So., Economics
Karianne Engelbert, Fy., Economics
**Emily Evans, Jr., Mechanical Engineering
***Maren Friday, Sr., Mechanical Engineering
***Paige Greco, Sr., Sociology
***Emma Hebert, Sr., Economics
Lauren Johnson, Fy., Managerial Economics
***Maya Jones, Sr., Biology
Klara Kenttälä, Fy., Economics
*Greta Kropp, Jr., Biology
**Sophie Matsoukas, Sr., Biology
Mallory Mauracher, Jr., Economics
Brigitte McGuire, Fy., Liberal Arts
**Amanda Quan, Jr., Economics
***Maddie Suitor, Sr., Economics
*Monja Wagner, Fy., Psychology
Jill Willis, Fy., Economics