The transfer portal is akin to the intercollegiate athletics version of free agency — more so now than ever — with the NCAA relaxing its transfer rules last year, at least where ice hockey was concerned. Previously, student-athletes in most NCAA sports who transferred to a new school were required to sit out a full year of competition before they were eligible to play. Now, they are permitted a one-time transfer where they can suit up immediately for their new institution.

American International’s 2021-22 campaign ended in the NCAA regional semifinals against Michigan in March. AIC head coach Eric Lang subsequently entered the media room in Allentown, Pa. with Luka Maver, Justin Cole and Chris Dodero in tow — all of them graduate students — and all who played five years at AIC. Cole actually redshirted his first year at AIC after transferring from DU, before he ever played for the Pioneers. He was one of four graduate students on the 2021-22 Yellow Jackets roster who began his collegiate career somewhere else, along with Alec Calvaruso (Rensselaer), Brian Rigali (UConn) and Justin Young (Alaska Fairbanks). Another skater, Elijiah Barriga, transferred to AIC after playing one year with ACHA Division I club program UNLV. Full story is available online at USCHO.