Julian Rosenberg, a defenseman for the EHL’s Hockey Club Rhode Island, has committed to NCAA Division III King’s College for the 2026-27 season.

Rosenberg, an ‘05 out of Simi Valley, has played for the past seasons with HRI. After two assists in his rookie season, he demolished that total in his age-out campaign. He scored his first three goals and added nine assists in all 50 games of the 2025-26 season.

“It was an absolute pleasure to coach Julian these past two seasons,” said James Mello, head coach of Rhode Island. “Although he did not wear a letter, he was an absolute leader of our culture and a friend to every person who put on an HCRI jersey – just a guy that makes coming to the rink happier each day. We are very happy for Julian and his entire family and he made the right decision, going to play for a coach who targeted him and told him, ‘I want you to play for me.’”

Rosenberg joins fellow Central Division rivals Gage Winter and Braedon Gallante of the New York Apple Core, who will both be joining King’s this upcoming season. The Monarchs are led by head coach Race Bennett.

“Playing for HCRI for the past two years has been a great privilege, and I am immensely grateful and proud to be able to represent this organization at the next level,” said Rosenberg, who played for the Ventura Mariners and California Heat back home. “I’ve made friendships here that I will carry with me well beyond my hockey career, and I could not be more appreciative of Coach Mello, (GM) Toby O’Brien, Nick, Ian, Jeff, and the entire HCRI family for allowing me the opportunity to do so. This program believes that there is a right way to do things, and my teammates and I have proved that this year. I want to thank everybody who has contributed to my personal development on the ice, but more importantly off the ice, as I am leaving this organization a better person than when I arrived. I also want to thank Greg Pickens, because he is the backbone of HCRI and is everything that embodies what it means to be a good human being.

“Lastly, I want to thank my family because none of this could be possible without them and their unwavering support.”

“Julian is one of the nicest human beings to wear our jersey since our inception,” added O’Brien. “Julian cares. He cares about his friends, teammates, staff and family. His growth as a person these past two years has been so rewarding to see, but beyond that, his growth as a player, especially since the halfway point of this past season has been remarkable. He just hit his tipping point and did not look back. I could not be happier for Julian and his family. He will 100% make the King’s hockey program better, but more importantly, he will make the King’s College community a better place.”

Photo/MiaSara McLaughlin

— EHL Staff

(July 31, 2026)