To the surprise of no one, the first two players Miami has landed out of the transfer portal are former alternate captains.
Bentley defensemen David Helledy and Michigan State forward Austin Baker have committed to the RedHawks after holding leadership roles on their respective juniors teams.
Helledy, from Milwaukee, played parts of three seasons with NAHL Maine, going 11-36-47 his final campaign there in 2023-34, during which he was an alternate captain.
The 6-1, 194-pound blueliner tallied just two assists his freshman year at Bentley, but he scored six goals and assisted on 14 others for 20 points last season, tied for the defensemen team lead.
Helledy’s plus-15 rating was tops among Falcons defenseman, and three of his six tallies were game winners. He is also a solid defender that can kill penalties.
The junior-to-be turns 23 next month.
Baker, a Detroit Red Wings seventh-round draft pick in 2024, played for a loaded Spartans team as a freshman last season but dressed just 14 times, recording one assist.
Originally a product of the U.S. National Development Team, with whom he went 15-16-31 in 2023-24, Baker joined USHL Sioux Falls in 2024-25, where he wore an ‘A’.
The 6-0, 190-pounder scored 10 goals and dished for 21 assists in 56 games with the Stampede and added two more helpers in four playoff games. He’s a strong skater and an asset on the penalty kill.
Baker, from White Lake Township, Mich., about 45 minutes northwest of Detroit, is still just 20 years old (his birthday was in early February) and will be a sophomore in 2026-27.
Also, four of the five Miami players that entered the transfer portal last week have found new homes, and three are headed to CCHA schools.
Casper Nassen committed to Lake Superior State, Justin Stupka will play for Ferris State and Mathis Langevin will tend net for Augustana.
Michael Quinn is headed to Notre Dame.
A link to our Miami transfer portal.
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