ECHL: Updated Skater Milestone Watch for 2025–26

This series highlights non-goalie skaters officially signed or traded for the 2025–26 season. The players below completed transactions dated September 12 through October 2, verified through the ECHL transactions page, Elite Prospects, and/or team announcements.

Central Division

The previous Milestone Watch Article for the Central Division can be found HERE.

Bloomington Bison

The Bloomington Bison open the new campaign with veteran forward Eddie Matsushima standing on the edge of two major achievements. He begins with 269 games and 206 points, needing 31 games and 44 points to reach 300 games and 250 points. Last season he scored 27 goals and collected 57 points in 67 games, his second-highest career total, while still mentoring younger teammates and anchoring the lineup in all situations. Matsushima’s steady presence makes him a cornerstone for Bloomington, and this season should give fans the chance to celebrate both his production and his endurance.

Around Matsushima, a younger group of skaters also chases career-defining milestones. Lou-Félix Denis and Max Neill both aim for 100 games and 100 points. Denis, a creative playmaker with speed in transition, continues to climb the league’s ranks and enters the year with momentum after a strong 2024–25 campaign. Neill thrives in a physical, two-way style and could add 25–30 points if he earns consistent minutes, making him a reliable depth option.

Mikael Robidoux brings another storyline. He already holds 184 games, 40 points, and 805 penalty minutes across four seasons. He needs 16 more games to reach 200, while his offensive growth slowly pushes him toward 100 career points. Known first for his edge, Robidoux now blends toughness with emerging offensive instincts, making this year a chance to prove he can contribute in more ways than one.

Cincinnati Cyclones

In Cincinnati, the blue line features Jake Johnson, whose steady growth continues to define his career. Johnson enters with 107 games and 42 points, and he needs 93 games and eight points to reach 200 games and 50 points. Averaging 0.39 points per game, Johnson projects to add around 28 points this season if he keeps pace, comfortably clearing the scoring milestone. His smart reads, calm exits, and disciplined play give Cincinnati consistency on the back end, even if his game rarely makes the highlight reel.

Iowa Heartlanders

The Iowa Heartlanders will watch Isaac Johnson pursue a rare double milestone this year. He begins the season with 158 games and 159 points, setting him up to surpass both 200 games and 200 points in the same season. His averages — nearly 40 games per year and 1.01 points per game — suggest he should add another 40+ games and 40+ points, making the marks well within reach. His scoring touch combines with playoff experience and power-play instincts, giving Iowa not only a proven offensive threat but also a leader who knows how to elevate in key moments.

Toledo Walleye

Toledo will celebrate milestones from multiple skaters, starting with Sam Craggs. He enters the season with 213 games and 128 points, needing 37 games and 22 points to cross 250 games and 150 points. Craggs averaged 71 games and 42 points in his first three seasons, and last year he produced 47 points in 72 games while wearing an “A.” His ability to contribute on special teams, at even strength, and in physical battles makes him an essential part of Toledo’s identity.

Conlan Keenan also moves closer to major marks. He starts with 274 games and 128 points, requiring 26 games and 22 points to reach 300 games and 150 points. Across five seasons, Keenan has averaged 55 games and 0.47 points per game, showing consistent scoring touch. Even in a reduced role last year, he added 16 points in 47 games while serving as an alternate captain. His smart positioning, reliable offense, and steady leadership ensure that his milestones will reflect more than just numbers.

Mountain Division

The previous Milestone Watch Article for the Mountain Division can be found HERE.

Idaho Steelheads

Chris Dodero headlines Idaho’s milestone watch after splitting last year between Tahoe and Cincinnati. He begins with 54 games and 25 points, leaving him 46 games and 25 points shy of 100 games and 50 points. Dodero averaged 0.46 points per game in 2024–25, and if he sustains that pace, he could post another 30–35 points this season. His versatility and two-way dependability give Idaho reliable depth as he works toward his first significant career milestones.

Tulsa Oilers

Big news for Tulsa: Patrick Guay joins the Oilers through a trade and immediately steps into the spotlight as a milestone chaser. He already carries 141 ECHL games, putting him within reach of the 200-game milestone this season. If he plays a whole year, projections push him to 213 career appearances, firmly establishing him as a veteran on the roster.

Guay also closes in on several offensive benchmarks. He needs just eight more goals to reach 50, 19 assists to hit 100, and 27 points to cross 150. At his current pace, he could finish 2025–26 with 63 goals, 122 assists, and 186 points, totals that reflect both consistency and growth.

His career averages — 0.30 goals, 0.57 assists, and 0.87 points per game — showcase a forward who produces steadily in all situations. With a new team and a fresh opportunity, Guay now has the chance to make this season his most dynamic yet.

North Division

The previous Milestone Watch Article for the North Division can be found HERE.

Maine Mariners

Cooper Jones enters 2025–26 with 123 games, only 27 shy of the 150-game milestone. He played 57 games last season split between Utah and Jacksonville, a pace that suggests he should clear the mark early this year. Jones’ ability to stabilize the blue line, log steady minutes, and contribute in all situations underscores his importance as he moves closer to another milestone in a quietly productive career.

Veteran forward Brandon Saigeon enters the 2025–26 ECHL season with the Reading Royals poised to hit a significant career milestone. With 249 regular-season games under his belt, Saigeon is on track to surpass the 300-game mark if he plays at least 51 games this year—a testament to his durability and consistency across multiple franchises.

Since debuting with the Utah Grizzlies in 2019–20, Saigeon has carved out a steady role as a playmaker, amassing 103 career points (31G, 72A). While his next scoring milestones—50 goals, 100 assists, and 150 points—remain just out of reach this season, his projected totals show he’s closing in fast.

South Division

The previous Milestone Watch Article for the South Division can be found HERE.

Atlanta Gladiators

Atlanta fans will see several more players push toward milestones this year. Carson Denomie enters with 233 games and needs 17 more to reach 250. Over four seasons, he averaged 58 games per year, including 72 last season with Atlanta, ensuring the mark should fall by mid-November. His ability to adapt across seven different ECHL clubs demonstrates resilience, and hitting 250 games will highlight his value as a steady contributor.

Zach Yoder starts at 246 games and sits just four away from 250. A mainstay on Atlanta’s defense since 2021, Yoder has logged more than 60 games each year for four straight seasons. His averages — 0.15 points per game and 0.79 penalty minutes per game — showcase his stay-at-home reliability. By January’s end, he could also reach 300 games, adding another layer to his reputation as one of the Gladiators’ longest-tenured skaters.

Cody Sylvester continues to pace Atlanta’s attack and moves toward milestones that emphasize both production and longevity. He enters with 365 games and 342 points, needing 35 games and eight points to reach 400 games and 350 points. His near point-per-game pace stands among the league’s elite, backed by multiple 40-point seasons and an average of more than 60 games per year over five campaigns. Sylvester’s steady scoring and leadership ensure these milestones will resonate with both teammates and fans.

Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Greenville defenseman David Drake remains one of the ECHL’s most reliable veterans. He begins with 378 games and 87 points, putting him 22 games from 400 and 13 points from 100. Drake averaged 65 games per season over the last three years, including a 72-game slate in 2022–23. If he continues that pace, he should cross both thresholds by late November, marking another chapter in a career built on durability and defensive stability.

Why It Matters

Milestones turn everyday games into moments fans remember long after the final horn. Whether it’s a rookie entering the 100-game club or a veteran adding to a resume already filled with achievements, each mark represents persistence and growth. As the 2025–26 season unfolds, these storylines give fans another reason to celebrate — proof that the ECHL is built on careers in motion.