As the hockey season begins to inch closer and closer, more players are making their decisions on where they will play in 2024-25. These articles will be a one-stop-shop on commits across major junior hockey.
Here’s an update for July signings so far:
OHL
Easton Mikus – F, Owen Sound Attack
Drafted by the Attack in the fourth round of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection, Mikus signed with the team on July 8. Having played for the Thunder Bay North Stars (SIJHL) this past season, Mikus scored 31 goals and added 29 assists for 60 points in 47 regular season games.
Prior to spending time with the North Stars, Mikus played his U16 year with the Thunder Bay Kings, collecting 35 points in 63 games across all competition.
Lauri Sinivuori – F, Oshawa Generals
Drated by the Generals in the first round of the 2024 CHL Import Draft, Sinivuori committed to the team on July 15. A native of Mikkeli, Finland, Sinivuori had 25 points in 34 regular season games with HIFK U20 (U20 SM-sarja) this past season.
Daniil Skvortsev – D, Guelph Storm
A product of Kaluga, Russia, Skvortsev was drafted 27th overall by the Storm in the 2024 CHL Import Draft. In 23 regular season games with Krasnaya Armiya Moskva (MHL) in 2023-24, Skvortsev collected an assist.
Ilya Protas – F, Windsor Spitfires
Drafted third overall by the Spitfires in this year’s CHL Import Draft, Protas joins the team from the Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL). In his first season in North America, Protas had 51 points in 61 regular season games with the Buccaneers, catching the attention of the Washington Capitals where they selected him in the third round of the 2024 NHL Draft.
Elliot Arnett – D, Owen Sound Attack
Drafted by the Attack in the third round of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection, Arnett joins the team after spending his draft year with the Barrie Colts U16 team. While roaming the blue line for the Colts, Arnett scored four goals and added 11 assists for 15 points in 31 regular season games across OMHA competition.
David Svozil – D, Oshawa Generals
Drafted by the Generals in the second round of the 2023 CHL Import Draft, Svozil joins the team after spending the majority of the 2023-24 season with Ilves U20 (U20 SM-sarja). The brother of Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Stanislav Svozil, David had nine points in 35 regular season games with Ilves.
WHL
Harry Mattern – D, Spokane Chiefs
Hailing from Sherwood Park, Alta., Mattern committed to the Chiefs after being selected in the second round of the 2024 WHL Bantam Draft. In 25 regular season games with Northern Alberta Xtreme U15 Prep, Mattern collected 13 assists.
Riley Thorpe – F, Moose Jaw Warriors
Drafted by the Warriors in the eleventh round of the 2023 WHL Bantam Draft, Thorpe played the majority of the 2023-24 season with Northern Alberta Xtreme U17. In 29 regular season games, he scored 20 goals and added 19 assists for 39 points.
Ondrej Stebetak – G, Portland Winterhawks
A native of Jihlava, Czechia, Stebetak joins the Winterhawks after being drafted in the first round of the 2024 CHL Import Draft. Making 37 appearances with HC Dukla Jihlava U17, Stebetak posted a 13-24-0 record to go along with a 3.20 GAA and a .903 SV%.
Jacob Dumansky – F, Kamloops Blazers
Selected by the Blazers in the second round of the 2024 WHL Bantam Draft, Dumansky commits to the team after spending the majority of the 2023-24 season with Yale Hockey Academy U15 Prep. In 27 regular season games, he scored 21 goals and added 28 assists for 49 points.
QMJHL
Maddox Dagenais – F, Quebec Remparts
Drafted first overall by the Remparts in the 2024 QMJHL Entry Draft, Dagenais joins the team after spending the 2023-24 season with the Quinte Red Devils U16. In 35 regular season games, he scored 42 goals and added 39 assists for 81 points.
Ryan Howard – F, Quebec Remparts
Another Remparts signing, Howard joins the team after spending time with the Lac St-Louis Lions. Drafted by the Remparts in the second round of the 2024 QMJHL Draft, Howard had 30 points in 38 regular season games with the Lions.
Teo Besnier – D, Drummondville Voltigeurs
Selected by the Voltigeurs in the first round of the 2024 CHL Import Draft, Besnier heads to Quebec after spending the 2023-24 season playing U20 and pro hockey in France. While he suited up for four teams, Besnier spent the most time with Chambéry (France2) where he had nine points in 20 regular season games.
Loke Johansson – D, Moncton Wildcats
Selected by the Wildcats in the first round of the 2024 CHL Import Draft, Johansson spent the majority of the 2023-24 season playing for AIK J20 (J20 Nationell). A Boston Bruins prospect, Johansson had five goals and eight assists for 13 points in 33 regular season games.
Simon-Xavier Cyr – F, Gatineau Olympiques
A product of Sherbrooke, Que., Cyr joins the Olympiques after spending time this past season with the Magog Cantonniers. Drafted by Gatineau in the first round of the 2024 QMJHL entry Draft, Cyr had 13 points in 42 regular season games with the Cantonniers.
Maxim Dubé – F, Gatineau Olympiques
Another 2024 first-round pick of the Olympiques, Dubé joins the team after spending the 2023-24 season with the Long Island Gulls 15U. In 68 regular season games with the team, he scored 34 goals and added 56 assists for 90 points.
Noah Florent – F, Gatineau Olympiques
Rounding out the trio of Olympiques first-round signings, Florent joins the team after playing for Séminaire St-François Blizzard in 2023-24. In 41 regular season games, Florent posted 43 points.
USHL
Adam Benak – F, Youngstown
Drafted by the Phantoms in the third round of the 2024 USHL Entry Draft, Benak is viewed by many as a first-round talent for the 2025 NHL Draft. Benak mostly suited up for HC Plzen U20 in 2023-24, collecting 29 points in 29 games.
Melvin Strahl – G, Youngstown
A Columbus Blue Jackets prospect, Strahl is making his way to North America for his first season with the Phantoms. In 30 appearances with MoDo Hockey J20 (J20 Nationell), Strahl posted a 13-15-0 record to go along with a 2.91 GAA and a .903 SV%.
NCAA
Hans Martin Ulvebne – F, Princeton
Ulvebne, a native of Oslo, Norway, has committed to Princeton for the 2024-25 season. Having split time between the Chicago Steel and Cedar Rapids RoughRiders this past season, he collected 26 points in 59 regular season games between the two.
Vladislav Lukashevich – D, Michigan State
Originally slated to join Northern Michigan next season, Lukashevich switched his commitment and will now join the Spartans. A 2021 fourth-round pick of the Florida Panthers, Lukashevich had 43 points in 54 regular season games with the Tri-City Storm this past season.
Adam Valentini – F, Michigan
Slated to join the Chicago Steel this season, Valentini verbally committed to the Wolverines for the 2026-27 season. Having suited up for the Toronto Marlboros U16 this past season, Valentini had an impressive 134 points in 57 games.