The transfer portal in college sports is always something to keep your eye on. There's always someone unexpected entering it or ending up somewhere no one thought they’d go. For those that don’t know, the transfer portal is a database that is accessible to all schools and coaches. Athletes who are looking to compete for a different school only have to submit their name to the portal. They used to be required to get permission from a coach or athletics admin before they could enter, but no longer need approval.
This year in the women's college hockey transfer portal there are a couple names on the radar. Kate Holmes is one of the athletes that was on the radar. Holmes, previously a forward for Northeastern University, has experience in three Frozen Four Tournaments and put up 10 goals and 12 assists at Northeastern. As of April 3rd, she has committed to play for Syracuse.
Another Northeastern player that entered the portal this season was Alexa Matses. As a Husky, Matses was in the net for just barely over ten minutes this season as a third stringer behind Aerin Frankel and Gwyneth Philips. Matses has not yet been confirmed to be committed to another team just yet.
Tatum White, a junior at Syracuse University, earned the 2023 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honors. The Academic All-District acknowledges student-athletes’ performances both in the classroom and outside of it. White is a medicinal chemistry major and she is also a two time American Hockey Coaches Association All-America Scholar as well as a two time College Hockey America All Academic selection. During her three seasons with Syracuse the forward has accumulated 22 assists and 12 goals, totaling 34 points altogether. From 2019 to present White coaches youth hockey. In addition White served as the chair of the Syracuse Student-Athlete Advisory Inclusion Committee during the 2022-23 season. Considering all of this she definitely deserves the recognition.
As for the men's side of things, some players that entered the portal are Hugo Esselin and Josh Eernisse.
Hugo Esselin entered the transfer portal on the 18th of May. Esselin was a forward for Merrimack College. He had a total of three points this past season, two goals and one assist. The forward was named first star of the game in competition against Holy Cross College. Esselin has not yet committed to another school.
Josh Eernisse entered the transfer portal on the 14th of April. Eernisse played for the University of St Thomas (Minnesota) as a forward. During the 22 - 23 season, Eernisse scored 14 goals and had 7 assists, giving him 21 points altogether. As of the 27th of April, Eernisse is committed to the University of Michigan.
More happenings in the men's college hockey world include Logan Cooley returning to University of Minnesota for the next season. Cooley, a prospect for the Arizona Coyotes, decided to return to Minnesota for his sophomore season. The forward also played alongside Matthew Knies, a current left wing for the Toronto Maple Leafs. During the 2022 NHL Draft Cooley was the No. 3 pick out of the U.S. National Team Development Program (USNTDP). He was also a Hobbey Baker finalist. In the 21 - 22 season he scored 60 points in just 39 games. Cooley represented the United States at the 2022 and 2023 world juniors championship.
This year the transfer portal had a lot of big changes, and hopefully for the better. There were a lot of unexpected athletes to enter and a lot that went to the last place anyone would imagine them going. Can’t wait for the next season to see what these athletes can do on their new teams.
Edited by: Kaya Crawford
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