EIHL Pre-Season starts here
There are just 28 days until the new season begins, but before then more than 30 pre-season games will take place across the country, with several more overseas, as teams prepare for the 2026/27 Motorpoint Elite League season. Pre-season begins tonight in Cardiff, where the Devils host Danish side Odense Bulldogs at the Vindico Arena. There will be plenty of familiar faces when the Bulldogs arrive in South Wales. Cardiff Head Coach Paul Thompson spent four years behind the bench in Odense, while Assistant Coach Nicklas Hovivuori and defenceman Brandon Estes both spent a season with the Danish club before … Continue reading
Cardiff first into pre-season as Thompson looks to build on Playoff success
Cardiff Devils are the first Elite League team to head into pre-season action, with seven games scheduled between now and the start of the 2026/27 campaign. After winning the Playoffs at the end of last season, the Welsh side head into the new campaign looking to build on that success. “The summer was good, obviously better after winning the Playoffs, so it made it more enjoyable!” began Head Coach Paul Thompson, who will be in his second season at the club. “We retained 18 players, so didn’t have a huge amount of roster building to do, but it did take … Continue reading
Schandor returns to Swamp Rabbits
GREENVILLE, S.C. – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits, ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Los Angeles Kings and American Hockey League’s Ontario Reign, announced that the team has signed second-year forward Hudson Schandor for the 2026-27 Season. Schandor returns to Greenville, where he spent the entirety of his rookie season in 2025-26 while on an AHL contract with the Reign. He earned 25 points (5g-20a) in 54 games before an injury sidelined him late in the season. He finished in the top-10 on the team in scoring, and his points and assists were good for third amongst Swamp Rabbits rookies. … Continue reading
Francis agrees to terms with Mariners
PORTLAND, Maine – The Maine Mariners, ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Boston Bruins and American Hockey League’s Providence Bruins, have signed forward Ryan Francis to a contract for the 2026-27 season. A 24-year-old forward from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Francis was a fifth-round selection (143rd overall) of the Calgary Flames in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. He made his professional debut in the 2021-22 season with Calgary’s AHL affiliate at the time, the Stockton Heat. Francis spent the 2025-26 season with the Atlanta Gladiators, skating in 68 games and registering 30 points (7g-23a). He also appeared in six games … Continue reading
Nardecchia signs with Walleye
TOLEDO, Ohio – The Toledo Walleye have agreed to terms with forward Nick Nardecchia for the 2026-27 season, his second professional season and first in Toledo. Nardecchia’s rights were acquired from Wichita to complete the trade of defenseman Tanner Palocsik on March 9, 2026. The Macomb, Michigan, native posted 20 points (5g-15a) and 36 penalty minutes in 71 games last season as a rookie for the Thunder. Prior to turning pro, he skated four seasons at Ferris State University, accumulating 31 points (12g-19a) and 88 penalty minutes over 127 games. He also played parts of two seasons in both the … Continue reading
Gladiators add Calisti
Duluth, Ga. – The Atlanta Gladiators, ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Nashville Predators and the American Hockey League’s Milwaukee Admirals, announced that the team has agreed to terms with defenseman Stephen Calisti for the 2026-27 season. Calisti signs in Atlanta after spending the 2025-26 season at Brock University, where he scored 18 points (6g-12a) in 28 games. His 18 points led all team defensemen and were the second most among the team’s skaters. Calisti also set new collegiate career highs in goals and points in his fifth season of eligibility. The 27-year old defenseman returns to the ECHL … Continue reading
