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As we enter the month of March and draw closer to St. Patrick's Day, the EIHL (Elite Ice Hockey League) season is wellunderway. The EIHL has teams all over the United Kingdom, including on the island of Ireland in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Let’s take a look at some NCAA Hockey alumni making waves across the pond in alphabetical order.
Eamon McAdam: Penn State University 2013-16. Goaltender, Sheffield Steelers.
McAdam is having his best professional season with the Steelers. Through 11 games this year, the former Nittany Lion is tied for an EIHL best save percentage at .942, while holding third with a 1.91 goals allowed average. He previously won an ECHL Kelly Cup in 2019 with the former Newfoundland Growlers. This is McAdam’s fourth EIHL season, coming in 2022 after a year in Denmark.
Brendan Diffley: Boston University 2014-2018. Defenseman, Sheffield Steelers.
Any time the Steelers make an impact on the ice, chances are that Diffley plays either a direct or indirect role. His +28 through 40 games in 2025-26 is the best amongst EIHL defensemen and second across the league as a whole. Arguably more significant is Diffley’s trajectory. Throughout his past three seasons, Diffley has improved his assists, points, and +/-. He is an integral piece of Sheffield’s back end. Diffley certainly had good teammates to train with at Boston University, manning the blue line with such names as Charlie McAvoy, Matt Grzelcyk, and Dante Fabbro.
Tim Doherty: University of Maine, 2016-2020; Penn State University, 2020-21. Forward, Nottingham Panthers.
The Panthers retained a whole lot of firepower when theyre-signed Doherty last summer, and his offensive abilities have made him arguably the best all-around player in the EIHL. Doherty is tied first leaguewide with 31 assists and tied second with 42 points, all through 39 games this season. He also makes an impact with what he doesn't do, staying out of the box with only eight penalty minutes all year. The former alternate captain at the University of Maine now holds the same role in his second season in Nottingham. No doubt Doherty learned both leadership and offense in the NCAA, which is paying dividends in the EIHL.
Matthew Gleason: Colorado College 2021-23; University of St. Thomas 2023-2025. Center, Coventry Blaze.
Gleason was one of the key departures from the Tommies this offseason due to his forechecking, and he is bringing that intensity to the EIHL. In 42 contests, Gleason has earned a very respectable 36 points (17 goals + 19 assists). What gets him on this list, however, is his prowess on the penalty kill. Three of Gleason’s 17 tallies have been shorthanded, leading the EIHL in that category. Gleason’s speed allows him to break away from defenders and put pucks in the net. If this is what Gleason can do as a rookie, the rest of the EIHL might need to kick up their speed a few gears.
Jordan Kawaguchi: University of North Dakota, 2017-2021. Forward, Belfast Giants.
If the Giants were looking for leadership, then they found loads of it with Kawaguchi. The former North Dakota captain also wore the “C” in juniors with the BCHL’s Chilliwack Chiefs. Kawaguchi is a balanced playmaker, averaging the same number of goals and assists all throughout his career. The Abbotsford, BC native is tied for third with 19 goals and was named an alternate captain in just his second EIHL season. Belfast already holds the most EIHL Championships with seven. If Kawaguchi continues his momentum, the Giants may win title number eight this year.