Arizona State Hockey Alumni Began NHL Seasons
Former Sun Devil players have made early professional impacts across the NHL this season.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Hockey
Live Poll
Do you believe college hockey performance is a reliable indicator of professional success?
Former Arizona State University hockey players have launched their current NHL campaigns with strong performances. Goaltender Joey Daccord and forward Josh Doan have both secured significant roles with their respective teams.
Why it matters
The development of NHL-ready talent from Arizona State underscores the growing pipeline of professional hockey players coming from the state. These individual successes highlight the competitive trajectory of the university's program.
Joey Daccord has recorded a 1.00 goals against average through two wins. Josh Doan is currently skating on the Buffalo Sabres top line, contributing to his team's depth after recording 25 goals and 27 assists last season.
The players
Joey Daccord
He is a professional goaltender for the Seattle Kraken who has seen significant early-season success.
Josh Doan
He is a professional forward for the Buffalo Sabres who plays on the team's top line.
Artem Schlaine
He is an emerging professional hockey player who recorded an assist in his first two games of the season.
The details
Joey Daccord, who established himself as a full-time starter in 2023, is currently playing under a five-year, $25 million contract. Meanwhile, Josh Doan has signed a seven-year, $48 million extension, and teammate Artem Schlaine has recorded an assist in each of his first two games.
Timeline
Daccord established himself as a full-time NHL goalie in 2023.
Josh Doan began his NHL journey during the 2023-24 season.
The five-year contract extension for Daccord began in 2025-26.
Daccord and Doan are scheduled for games on October 6, 2026.
Season Trajectory
The emergence of these alumni signals a shift in the competitive balance for Arizona hockey development. Their performance validates the institutional growth of the Arizona State University hockey program as a primary supplier of professional-caliber talent.
Joey Daccord's 2-0 start provides a stabilizing presence for fantasy goaltending rosters. Josh Doan's placement on the Buffalo Sabres' top line alongside Tage Thompson and Joshua Norris indicates a significant increase in his scoring potential and offensive responsibility.
The takeaway
The sustained success of these players demonstrates the viability of non-traditional college hockey programs in producing top-tier professional athletes. Fans should monitor these players to see if their early-season efficiency persists over the remainder of the league schedule.
Further reading
For more on local prospects, see Arizona Hockey.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sports Illustrated.
Live Poll
Do you believe college hockey performance is a reliable indicator of professional success?
