After a tough start to the new era of Bulldog hockey, the team looks ahead to the offseason as players begin to transfer and new players are being recruited.
Head coach Brett Riley spoke about his plan for the offseason and his plan for the 2026-27 season.
“We’re really excited about this highly ranked freshman class and what these young men will bring to our program,” Riley said. “While we will utilize the transfer portal to complement our roster, this build will start with our incoming freshmen and the natural development process within our program.”
So far, the Bulldogs have lost nine different players to the ECHL and AHL. Here are the players who have signed so far.
Gavin Best – Wichita Thunder (ECHL)
The Michigan State transfer has had two strong seasons with the Bulldogs. In those seasons, the forward had 22 goals and 23 assists, which was good for 26 total points. The best of his two years in the crimson and gold came in 2025-26, where Best had 12 goals, which was second on the team. He also recorded 14 assists and 26 total points, both of which led the Bulldogs. On March 13, it was announced that Best had signed with the Wichita Thunder
Tyler Schleppe – Kansas City Mavericks (ECHL)
After four years and 126 games as a Bulldog, forward Tyler Schleppe has accomplished a lot in his time with the Bulldogs. In his four years at Ferris, Schleppe had 27 goals, 32 assists and 59 total points. His best performances this season were during the games on Feb. 13 and 14 against Northern Michigan. Schleppe had two goals in each game. On March 12, it was announced that Schleppe had signed with the Kansas City Mavericks.
John Lundy – Iowa Hartlanders (ECHL)
After three years with the American International Yellowjackets, forward John Lundy transferred to Ferris before the 2025-26 season. Lundy made an impact in his lone season as a Bulldog, having five goals, six assists and 11 points this past season. On April 7, it was announced that Lundy was signing with the Iowa Hartlanders.
Valtteri Piironen – Coachella Valley Firebirds (AHL)
The defenseman from Pyhäselkä, Finland, transferred to the Bulldogs after it was announced that his head coach at Long Island, Brett Riley, was hired as the coach at Ferris State. Piironen finished the 2025-26 season with one goal, seven assists and eight total points, with his strongest game coming in a 5-2 victory over Lake Superior State. In that game, he recorded four assists. Piironen signed with the Coachella Valley Firebirds on April 1.
Max Dukovac – Worcester Railers (ECHL)
With three years at Miami of Ohio under his belt, forward Max Dukovac transferred to Ferris State before the 2025-26 season. In his one season in the crimson and gold, Dukovac had six goals, five assists and 11 total points. Dukovac was the first player announced to be signing with an ECHL squad. It was announced on March 12 that Dukovac was signing with the Worcester Railers.
Xavier Jean-Louis – Worcester Railers (ECHL)
The defenseman from Montreal played two seasons with the Bulldogs, transferring from Alaska-Fairbanks in 2024-25. Jean-Louis was a rotational player in his first season with the Bulldogs in 2024-25. In the following season, Jean-Louis saw more opportunities, scoring five goals and 10 assists, while having 15 total points. It was announced on March 12 that Jean-Louis signed with the Worcester Railers, joining his Bulldog teammate Dukovac.
Caden Brown – Greensboro Gargoyles (ECHL)
After two years with the Wisconsin Badgers and another two with the Ohio State Buckeyes, forward Caden Brown transferred to Ferris State before the 2025-26 season. Brown had five goals, eight assists and 13 total points with the Bulldogs. His most impactful series came against Northern Michigan on Feb. 13 and 14, where he had one goal and two assists. On April 10, it was announced that Brown was signing with the Greensboro Gargoyles.
Gavin Garland – Ferris State University
The Bulldogs have signed one player so far, this being forward Gavin Garland, being signed on April 1 from the Tri-City Americans of the WHL. In his two years and 122 games with the Americans, Garland had 37 goals, 52 assists and 89 total points.