KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan hockey program and head coach Pat Ferschweiler have announced the addition of 11 newcomers for the 2026-27 season, including four transfers and seven freshmen.
The Brown and Gold will open the season with an exhibition contest on Oct. 3 against Western Ontario at Lawson Arena. The regular season will begin on Oct. 8 at home against Ferris State.
MEET THE TRANSFERS
#2 | Michael Neumeier | Defenseman | Kerrobert, Saskatchewan | Colgate, ECAC
Neumeier was one of the top players in the portal this season, playing in 72 games for the Raiders over the course of two seasons. In those contests, he has totaled 43 points on 15 goals and 28 assists from the blue line. He was second in the NCAA in time on ice last season and was named the ECAC Rookie of the Year in 2024-25.
#28 | Casy Laylin | Forward | St. Michael, Minn. | St. Thomas, NCHC
Laylin joins the program after spending the last two seasons at St. Thomas. Laylin was a steady presence on the ice for the Tommies, skating in 56 games over two years. In that time, he posted 17 points on five goals and 12 assists. He was also a prolific scorer during his juniors career, lighting the lamp 10 times for the Salmon Arm Silverbacks in 2023-24.
#29 | Quentin Miller | Goalie | Montreal, Quebec | Denver, NCHC
Miller enters the mix after spending his freshman season at Denver. The 6-foot-3 goaltender was Denver's top goalie before an injury derailed his rookie season. The Montreal Canadiens draft pick was 12-10-2 with a 2.39 goals against average and .916 save percentage in 25 games last season. He was the NCHC Goaltender of the Month in November and December.
#37 | Michael Polston | Goalie | Cedarburg, Wis. | Long Island, Independent
Polston spent the last two seasons with Long Island, taking the net in two games for the Sharks. He allowed just two goals in his time with LIU. During his juniors career, he was a standout with the Provo Predators in the NCDC. During the 2023-24 campaign, he went 19-8-0 with a 2.62 goals against average and .926 save percentage.
MEET THE FRESHMEN
#9 | Adam Benák | Forward | Plzen, Czechia | Brantford Bulldogs, OHL
Benák is one of the most highly-touted players entering the college game this season. The Minnesota Wild draft pick scored 77 points on 28 goals and 49 assists for the Brantford Bulldogs last season. A year prior, he earned USHL All-Rookie Team and Second Team All-USHL honors after posting 59 points with the Youngstown Phantoms.
#13 | Jordan Keller | Forward | Sapporo, Japan | Kamloops Blazers, WHL
Keller was a big-time player for Kamloops last season, averaging more than a point per game. Serving as an assistant captain, he ended the 2025-26 campaign with 55 points on 27 goals and 28 assists in 53 games. The year before, he was just as good, producing 65 points in 68 games.
#16 | Tommy Lafrenière | Forward | St-Sauveur, Quebec | Bakersfield Condors, AHL
Lafrenière is another highly-touted prospect, joining the program after splitting time between the Kamloops Blazers and the Bakersfield Condors last season. He started the year with Kamloops, collecting 77 points on 41 goals and 36 assists in 67 games. The Oilers draft pick then took his talents to the AHL and played five regular season games with the Condors. In those contests, he tallied a goal and an assist.
#20 | Nicholas Sykora | Forward | Roseland, N.J. | Owen Sound Attack, OHL
Sykora was a late add for the Broncos, joining the team after spending last season with the Owen Sound Attack. In 67 games, he was able to record 44 points on 24 goals and 20 assists. Before that, he split time with the Omaha Lancers Sioux City Musketeers. He had 40 points on 20 goals and 20 assists with those two teams. He is the son of former NHL player Petr Sykora.
#21 | Luke McNamara | Forward | Mississauga, Ontario | Fargo Force, USHL
McNamara was one of the more dominant players in the USHL last season, finishing the year with 50 points on 20 goals and 30 assists in 62 games. Playing in the OHL for the 2024-25 season, the Canadian forward was able to produce 28 points on 12 goals and 16 assists between the Kingston Frontenacs and Windsor Spitfires.
#23 | Edison Engle | Defenseman | Arlington Heights, Ill. | Brantford Bulldogs, OHL
Engle enters the college game after a strong 2025-26 season with the Brantford Bulldogs in the OHL. The Winnipeg Jets draft pick was able to register 28 points on three goals and 25 assists during the regular season. He added a goal and four assists during the playoffs. Prior to his stint in the OHL, he helped Team USA win the gold medal at the 2024-25 World Junior A Challenge.
#26 | Ty Mason | Forward | Weyburn, Saskatchewan | Waterloo Black Hawks, USHL
Mason had a strong season in the USHL, serving as the captain of the Waterloo Black Hawks in 2025-26. He concluded the year as one of the more prolific goal scorers in the league, lighting the lamp 24 times while adding 20 assists. During the 2024-25 campaign, he split time between Fargo and Waterloo, totaling eight goals and nine assists.
