Men's Ice Hockey

CCHA Pro Signings Update

Since their respective 2025-26 seasons have concluded a number of Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) student-athletes have signed professional contracts with National Hockey League (NHL) teams and their minor league affiliates.

Below are the players who have signed since March 8 (listed alphabetically):

Jack Anderson (St. Louis, Mo.)
Michigan Tech | Defenseman
Signed ELC with Dallas Stars (NHL)

Gavin Best (Richfield, Minn.)
Ferris State | Forward
Signed SPC with Wichita Thunder (ECHL)

Kyle Bettens (Winnipeg, Man.)
Northern Michigan | Forward
Signed SPC with Indy Fuel (ECHL)

Max Dukovac (Aurora, Ill.)
Ferris State | Forward
Signed SPC with Worchester Railers (ECHL)

Tynan Ewart (Duncan, B.C.)
Northern Michigan | Defenseman
Signed ATO with Maine Mariners (ECHL)

Reilly Funk
Bemidji State | Forward
Signed SPC with Toledo Walleye (ECHL)

Alex Gaffney (West Orange, N.J.)
St. Thomas | Forward
Signed ATO with Hershey Bears (AHL)

Caiden Gault (Oakbank, Man.)
Northern Michigan | Forward
Signed SPC with Greenville Swamp Rabbits (ECHL)

Kirlan Irey
Bemidji State | Forward
Signed SPC with Atlanta Gladiators (ECHL)

Xavier Jean-Louis (Montreal, Que.)
Ferris State | Defenseman
Signed SPC with Worchester Railers (ECHL)

Josh Kotai (Abbotsford, B.C.)
Augustana | Goaltender
Signed ELC with New York Islanders (NHL)

Jackson Niedermayer (Newport Beach, Calif.)
Bowling Green | Forward/Defenseman
Signed SPC with Tulsa Oilers (ECHL)

Valtteri Piironen (Pyhäselkä, Finland)
Ferris State | Defenseman
Signed ATO with Norfolk Admirals (ECHL)

Tyler Schleppe (Vancouver, B.C.)
Ferris State | Forward
Signed ATO with Kansas City Mavericks (ECHL)

Gustav Stjernberg (Enebyberg, Sweden)
Bowling Green | Defenseman
Signed ELC with Colorado Avalanche (NHL)

Josh Zary (Nanaimo, B.C.)
Ferris State | Forward
Signed SPC with Greenville Swamp Rabbits (ECHL)
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