Nine of Miami’s newest 21 players this season are transfers, with seven having played for other Division I schools and the other two joining the RedHawks from U Sports — Canada’s version of the NCAA.
Part II of our two-part series on the newest Miamians breaks down the transfers, with history, scouting and comments from head recruiting coordinator David Nies.
Part I can be found here:
KYLE AUCOIN
POSITION: Defenseman.
HEIGHT: 5-11.
WEIGHT: 180.
SHOOTS: Left.
DOB: 7/2/2002.
HOMETOWN: Hinsdale, Ill.
2024-25 TEAM: Harvard (NCAA).
GP: 28. G: 2. A: 2. Pts. 4. : +/–: -3. PIM: 8.
HISTORY: Aucoin developed in the Chicago Mission system before heading to Tri-City, where he played two-plus years under current Miami head coach Anthony Noreen — wearing an ‘A’ his final season. He was traded to Muskegon for his final juniors season and ultimately headed to Harvard. Aucoin played 90 games in four seasons with the Crimson, scoring both of his goals his senior year, and he added a pair of assists his final campaign there for a Division I-high four points. He finished his NCAA career with two goals and seven assists for nine points.
SCOUTING REPORT: Born in Ottawa, Aucoin is the son of former Vancouver Canucks standout blueliner Adrian Aucoin, who played 1,108 NHL games over 18 seasons and racked up 399 points. His four years of experience at Harvard should be a big plus for Miami, and he’s a quality skater who uses his stick well defensively.
WHERE HE FITS IN AT MIAMI: Like we said in Part I, the defense corps starting job race appears wide open, especially the final pairing and seventh slot. Nies said Aucoin’s leadership qualities are already benefitting the team, and as porous as Miami’s blue line has been the past few seasons, the RedHawks can never have enough veteran defenders. Aucoin is a graduate senior, so this will be his only season in Oxford.
NIES COMMENT: Kyle is a really good skater, he’s got a really good stick, he’s got a lot of ability. He’s got that ability to close time and space (on players on the rush) very quickly.
MATTEO DROBAC
POSITION: Goalie.
HEIGHT: 6-2.
WEIGHT: 205.
CATCHES: Left.
DOB: 8/7/2003.
HOMETOWN: Oakville, Ontario.
2024-25 TEAM: U. of Western Ontario (U Sports).
GP: 24. W-L: 13-10. GAA: 2.72. GAA: .904. SHO: 1.
HISTORY: A Croatian and Canadian dual citizen from the GTA who played three seasons with OHL Hamilton before following the team to Brantford when it relocated, Drobac played in 119 CHL games, winning 28 times in 52 appearances his final juniors season in 2023-24. His best OHL campaign was 2021-22, when he finished 19-3 with a 2.57 goals-against average and a .905 save percentage. He went 13-10 with a GAA of 2.72 goals-against average with Western Ontario last season and posted a .922 save percentage in the playoffs.
SCOUTING REPORT: Nies described Drobac as ‘super athletic’ and said people in Canada he talked to raved about his ability. The OHL is a very offensive-oriented league, so his career .890 save percentage in that league isn’t a red flag. And like Ben Motew, he stepped up in the postseason, so the pressure of playing in, say, Grand Forks shouldn’t be an issue. Shika Gadzhiev appears the frontrunner for the starting job on paper, but it’s a wide-open race and Drobac should have every opportunity to earn playing time. He’ll be a sophomore this season because he spent a year in U Sports.
WHERE HE FITS IN AT MIAMI: How will U Sports stats translate to the NCAA? I guess we’ll find out. That said, Drobac posted respectable OHL numbers, and he boasts way more high-level experience than either of Miami’s other goalies, both of which will be freshmen.
NIES COMMENT: Playing one year collegiately (in Canada) and then playing as many years as he did in the OHL, and as many games in pressure situations, I think he’s a huge piece.
MATTEO GIAMPA
POSITION: Center.
HEIGHT: 6-1.
WEIGHT: 200.
SHOOTS: Right.
DOB: 9/3/2003.
HOMETOWN: Virgil, Ontario.
2024-25 TEAM: Canisius (NCAA).
GP: 37. G: 8. A: 22. Pts. 30. : +/–: -10. PIM: 10.
HISTORY: Giampa played two seasons in the Alberta Junior Hockey League — a notch below the BCHL — and destroyed that league his final year with Bonnyville, racking up 92 points (18 clear of his teammates and third-most in the league) and 22 more in 16 playoff games. He went 18-17-35 his first season at Canisius, leading the team in all three categories, and also topped the Golden Griffins in points last season with 30 points on eight goals and 22 assists. His first collegiate goal was against Miami on Oct. 13, 2023.
SCOUTING REPORT: Miami held a scrimmage last week, and Giampa was arguably the best skater on the ice. He’s quick, elusive and was able to penetrate in the offensive zone seemingly at will and had the puck on his stick as much as anyone. Giampa is a rink rat constantly honing his skills and has a gregarious, persistently-positive personality. He will be a junior this season.
WHERE HE FITS IN AT MIAMI: Giampa averaged 32.5 points his first two Division I seasons at Canisius and should be a major points producer at Miami as well. However, the NCHC schedule and the AHA schedule are poles apart in terms of intensity, so hitting that 30-point mark will be more difficult with the RedHawks. But Giampa’s work ethic is exceptional, and Miami should get two outstandings seasons out of him.
NIES COMMENT: He can really skate, and I can say this about a lot of our kids, but (Giampa) wants to be coached hard. He can really shoot the puck, and when he gets going up and down the sheet, he’s thinking to score. We expect big things out of him — he’s going to be looked upon to cover the offensive load, along with a few other guys.
DOUG GRIMES
POSITION: Forward.
HEIGHT: 6-3.
WEIGHT: 215.
SHOOTS: Right.
DOB: 4/18/2002.
HOMETOWN: Brookline, Mass.
2024-25 TEAM: Boston U. (NCAA).
GP: 15. G: 1. A: 0. Pts. 1. : +/–: -4. PIM: 8.
HISTORY: Grimes crushed it his final season of preps, going 23-25-48 with Dexter Southfield, and in his second USHL season with Lincoln, he was team runner-up in goals with 24 and dished for 25 assists for 49 points, third-best on the Stars. In two seasons with Boston University, Grimes has dressed 38 times, netting three goals and assisting on another.
SCOUTING REPORT: Nies vouched for what a force Grimes was when he played for Lincoln against Tri-City, his in-state USHL rival. Grimes is super-physical and is a high-energy skater. He was glossed over at an extremely deep Boston University team and will be a junior at Miami.
WHERE HE FITS IN AT MIAMI: Nies said Grimes could become a fan favorite due to his physicality and energy. His numbers weren’t great at BU but with more opportunity at Miami he could contribute more on the scoresheet as well.
NIES COMMENT: His energy, his physicality, his skating — he has the ability to be as good as he wants to be. For me, Dougie’s really exciting.
MAXIMILION HELGESON
POSITION: Forward.
HEIGHT: 6-1.
WEIGHT: 185.
SHOOTS: Right.
DOB: 12/5/2000.
HOMETOWN: Anchorage, Alaska.
2024-25 TEAM: Alaska-Anchorage (NCAA).
GP: 34. G: 8. A: 11. Pts. 19. : +/–: -7. PIM: 16.
HISTORY: Helgeson is from Alaska, played juniors hockey in Alaska and played college hockey in Alaska with his hometown Seawolves, where he notched 72 points in 99 games over three seasons. With NAHL Kenai Valley, he went 19-22-41 in 45 games his final season and scored five times in nine playoff games.
SCOUTING REPORT: Another total rink rat constantly developing his craft, Helgeson has an excellent shot and should be another key offensive contributor. His eight goals last season was an aberration — he netted 14 and 13 his first two campaigns with UAA, and he tallied 26 and 27 points his freshman and sophomore years, respectively. Helgeson only netted one power play goal last season but had four his sophomore year and has seven for his Division I career. He led all Seawolves forwards in TOI, averaging 20:13.
WHERE HE FITS IN AT MIAMI: Helgeson should be another significant offensive cog, having averaged over 20 points per game with Anchorage. He brings more veteran presence, and he should be a mainstay on one of the power play units. The senior will only have one season of eligibility at Miami.
NIES COMMENT: I kind of feel like he brings everyone together. Really good in the locker room, from Day 1, whether it’s Ilia Morozov, one of the younger guys, he can jive with all of them.
OWEN LALONDE
POSITION: Defenseman.
HEIGHT: 6-1.
WEIGHT: 195.
SHOOTS: Right.
DOB: 2/1/2000.
HOMETOWN: Windsor, Ontario.
2024-25 TEAM: Queen’s University (U Sports).
GP: 26. G: 2. A: 23. Pts. 25. : PIM: 22.
HISTORY: Lalonde played on the OHL Guelph Storm team that lost to Rouyn-Noranda in the Memorial Cup semifinal his second-last year of juniors, and went 7-34-41 that regular season and 1-9-10 in 24 playoff games. Since then he has played four years in U Sports, rolling up a career-best 25 points in 26 games this past season. He finished his CHL career with exactly 100 points and tallied 15 goals and 66 assists in four seasons with Queen’s University in Kingston.
SCOUTING REPORT: Lalonde is definitely a veteran — he’s a 2000 berth with eight years of OHL and U Sports experience — and he should be able to help Miami improve on the back end, defensively, in the transition game and on the power play. He’s yet another veteran leader who will be considered a graduate senior, so he’ll be limited to one season in Oxford.
WHERE HE FITS IN AT MIAMI: A big question is how U Sports athletes will translate at this level, and Nies said that despite being nearly 26 years old on opening night, Lalonde has been open to adapting his game to the NCAA. He may end up helping on the power play as well, where he has ample experience at every level.
NIES COMMENT: He’s a puck mover, he’s played the power play for a long time — he’s played a lot of games. He’s got a quiet calmness, but a good energy in the room.
VLADISLAV LUKASHEVICH
POSITION: Defenseman.
HEIGHT: 6-2.
WEIGHT: 200.
SHOOTS: Left.
DOB: 5/23/2003.
HOMETOWN: Magadan, Russia.
2024-25 TEAM: Michigan State (NCAA).
GP: 29. G: 1. A: 6. Pts. 7. : +/–: 11. PIM: 4.
HISTORY: Lukashevich logged four seasons in the MHL and was drafted by the Florida Panthers in the fourth round of the 2021 draft after his second campaign there. His final season with Yaroslavl, he finished second on the team in defenseman points with 18. Then he joined Noreen’s Tri-City team and led all blueliners in goals (11), assists (32) and points (43). In his freshman season with Michigan State, he played 29 games, potted one goal and registered six helpers for seven points.
SCOUTING REPORT: Nies and Miami head coach Anthony Noreen coached Lukashevich in Tri-City, so they’re intimately familiar with him and his skill set. He had multiple visa issues getting back into the country from Russia this off-season, but’s been cleared to skate and should play a major role on Miami’s blue line. He spoke decent English two seasons ago when Nies was coaching him but has improved dramatically since.
WHERE HE FITS IN AT MIAMI: Lukashevich was on a loaded Michigan State team last season but dressed for 29 of 37 games and was third on the D-corps with a plus-11 rating, so he almost certainly pencils into a top-four role immediately. And he’s only a sophomore with previous ties to this coaching staff, so hopefully he’ll be a mainstay on the Miami blue line for the next three years.
NIES COMMENT: Ultra-talented kid. He’s one of those kids that’s not there in a hurry but he gets there quickly. He can defend, he can bring pucks out, he’s got the ability to run a power play or be a power play, so he’ll be able to provide some offense.
NICHOLAS MIKAN
POSITION: Forward.
HEIGHT: 6-4.
WEIGHT: 200.
SHOOTS: Right.
DOB: 3/31/2004.
HOMETOWN: Edina, Minn.
2024-25 TEAM: St. Thomas (NCAA).
GP: 5. G: 0. A: 0. Pts. 0. : +/–: -2. PIM: 2.
HISTORY: Mikan went through the Minnesota high school system, playing with Breck School and Blaine, a northern suburb of Minneapolis, and he was a point-a-game skater at the latter his final season. Mikan went north to the Manitoba Junior Hockey League in 2022-23, where he went 16-18-34 in 56 games with the Steinbach Pistons. The following season he logged six games with USHL Cedar Rapids, where he tallied an assist, but he played the majority of that campaign in the BCHL, notching eight goals and five assists in 35 games for Vernon. Mikan played for Enrico Blasi’s St. Thomas team in 2024-25 but dressed just five times, averaged 6:17 TOI and did not record a point.
SCOUTING REPORT: St. Thomas listed Mikan at 229 pounds, but Miami has him at 200. Either way, he’s a big kid who plays a big kid game. Mikan is a shut-down, physical, in-your-face, grinder. He was hurt for part of last season and did not play after Dec. 7.
WHERE HE FITS IN AT MIAMI: Hopefully at 100 percent, Mikan will challenge for a bottom-six spot every night. The RedHawks have several similar energy guys vying for lineup roles, so the competition should be fierce.
NIES COMMENT: He’s so big. When he’s playing to his physical capabilities of using his body, he’s imposing. I’m super excited about his physical attributes.
RYAN SMITH
POSITION: Right wing.
HEIGHT: 5-10.
WEIGHT: 185.
SHOOTS: Left.
DOB: 10/3/2005.
HOMETOWN: Pendleton, N.Y.
2024-25 TEAM: Quinnipiac (NCAA).
GP: 46. G: 22. A: 32. Pts. 54. : +/–: -3. PIM: 56.
HISTORY: Smith grew up in the suburbs of Buffalo and developed with the junior Sabres and played his first USHL game at age 16 with — you guessed it — Tri-City. After recording 11 points his first full seasons with the Storm, he scored 24 goals and added 14 assists as an 18 year old his final season of juniors before heading to Quinnipiac. He dressed for 34 games with QU and went 2-3-5.
SCOUTING REPORT: He didn’t take the NCAA by storm — pun intended — last season, but he was just 19 and played in 34 of the Bobcats’ 38 games on a loaded team that had eight forwards record at least 24 points. He’s a smaller guy at 5-feet-9 but plays a physical game. And typically at this level the smaller forwards are centers, but he’s a wing that can rip the puck and should be able to light the lamp for Miami.
WHERE HE FITS IN AT MIAMI: He’ll be a sophomore this season, and he turns 20 opening night, which is young by 2025 NCAA standards. He was limited to five points with Quinnipiac but has plenty of upside and should develop into a quality sniper with the RedHawks.
NIES COMMENT: Ryan’s got a lot of ability. He’s really developed his offensive game, he can skate, he’s got the puck skills, and I think (this) is an exciting and a big year for him. He can really shoot the puck in tight areas, he’s a physically strong kid — he’s maybe not the tallest kid — but he can handle himself too.
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