Category Archives: Pro
Selects product, Newport Beach native McManus returning to ECHL’s Thunder for ’26-27 season
July 21st, 2026The ECHL’s Adirondack Thunder have announced that the club has re-signed forward Brannon McManus to a contract for the 2026-27 season. The Newport Beach native led the Thunder last season with 67 points (31 goals, 36 assists) in 72 games and was named MVP at the 2026 Warrior/ECHL All-Star Classic. His 67 points and 31…
Sharks star, Jr. Sharks alum Celebrini named IIHF Male Player of the Year for 2025-26 season
July 11th, 2026Macklin Celebrini has been voted the IIHF’s Male Player of the Year for the 2025-26 hockey season. The San Jose Sharks center and former San Jose Jr. Sharks standout, who represented Team Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics in February, finished first in voting among a panel of roughly 200 media members. Celebrini led the…
Walnut Creek native, Bulldogs, Jr. Sharks alum Durflinger re-ups with ECHL’s Knight Monsters
July 11th, 2026The ECHL’s Tahoe Knight Monsters have announced the signing of forward Jake Durflinger for the 2026-27 season. Durflinger put up 15 points (six goals, nine assists) in 58 games for Tahoe last season, while also adding 102 penalty minutes, which ranked second on the team. A native of Walnut Creek, Durflinger spent the previous season…
Bakersfield native Watts re-signs with ECHL’s Americans for 2026-27 campaign
July 10th, 2026The ECHL’s Allen Americans have announced that the team has signed forward Brayden Watts for the 2026-27 season. Watts returns to the Americans for a third straight season. The Bakersfield native had his best professional season last year, posting a team-leading 75 points (24 goals, 51 assists) and earning the ECHL Sportsmanship Award. He finished…
Orange native, Jr. Kings alum McGrew returning to Tahoe for third season with ECHL’s Knight Monsters
June 29th, 2026The Tahoe Knight Monsters, ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights and the AHL’s Henderson Silver Knights, have announced that defenseman Jake McGrew has re-signed with the team for his third season in Tahoe. An Orange native, McGrew has recorded 78 points (41 goals, 37 assists) in 132 games over the previous two…
California connections see dreams get closer with selections at 2026 NHL Draft in Buffalo
June 28th, 2026The 2026 NHL Draft was held June 26-27 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, N.Y., and in what has been the case in recent years, several players with ties to California were selected. Of the nine drafted, seven played for the Los Angeles Jr. Kings during youth hockey. TIMOFEI RUNTSO2nd round, 57th overall, Montreal Canadiens Montreal…
FPHL adds Stockton as new expansion franchise for 2026-27 season
May 16th, 2026The FPHL has announced the newest expansion team that will begin play in the 2026–27 season at Adventist Health Arena in Stockton. This expansion comes just a week following the FPHL announcements of new expansion teams in Oceanside and Fresno. The league continues to push the boundaries of growth as it works toward its long-term…
Fresno’s Selland Arena to be home of newest FPHL expansion team for 2026-27 season
May 7th, 2026The Federal Prospects Hockey League has announced the newest expansion team that will begin play in the 2026–27 season at Selland Arena in Fresno. This expansion comes just one day after the FPHL revealed plans for another new team in Oceanside. The league continues to push the boundaries of growth as it works toward its…
FPHL announces expansion team in Oceanside for 2026-27 season
May 6th, 2026The Federal Prospects Hockey League has announced the addition of a new expansion team, set to begin play in the 2026–27 season at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside. This expansion marks another important step in the league’s continued commitment to growth, as the FPHL works toward its goal of establishing more than 30 teams across the…
Bakersfield native Watts named recipient of 2025-26 ECHL Sportsmanship Award
April 18th, 2026Brayden Watts of the Allen Americans is the recipient of the ECHL Sportsmanship Award for 2025-26 as determined in a vote of ECHL coaches, broadcasters, media relations directors and media members. The award is presented annually to the player who is judged to have exhibited the best sportsmanship combined with a high standard of playing ability. Watts,…