Alumni Report: Five Merrimack alums enter 2025-26 under NHL deals

Our first Alumni Report of the new season is here, with 34 Merrimack men’s hockey alums under professional contracts for the coming year. The list is divided into four categories: NHL contracts, North American minor leagues, European leagues, and college transfers.

Every player still active in college or professional hockey who spent at least one season at Merrimack is included.

The Warriors enter the season with five alumni on NHL contracts. Johnathan Kovacevic is considered a lock to make the New Jersey Devils roster out of training camp. He is entering the first year of a five-year, $20 million contract signed with the Devils last season — the largest deal ever inked by a Merrimack alum.

Kovacevic is Merrimack’s all-time NHL scoring leader with 42 points (10 goals, 32 assists) in 206 career games. He trails only Steve McKenna (’96) in career NHL games. McKenna appeared in 373 contests with the Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota Wild, Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Rangers.

Other Merrimack alums under NHL contracts for 2025-26 include Declan Carlile (Tampa Bay Lightning), Alex Jefferies (New York Islanders), Brett Seney (Chicago Blackhawks) and Hugo Ollas (New York Rangers).

Players are listed alphabetically within their category