Roster Reinforcements Arrive for 2026‑27
The Worcester Railers Hockey Club announced a flurry of signings that will shape its roster for the upcoming 2026‑27 campaign, adding five players who each bring distinct experience and skill sets.
Among the newcomers, defenseman Cam McDonald will return for a third professional season, having posted a team‑leading +9 rating among Railers blueliners last year, a statistic that underscores his reliability in both defensive and transition play.
Forward Jordan Kaplan, who logged a career‑high 68 games with Worcester during the 2024‑25 season, is expected to provide depth scoring and versatility, having demonstrated consistent offensive contributions at the ECHL level.
Tyson Fawcett, a veteran of 509 ECHL contests and a point producer in 184 of them, joins the club to add grit and veteran presence, qualities that coach hopes will translate into more stable line combinations.
Will van der Veen, previously with the Evansville Thunderbolts of the SPHL, brings a fresh perspective from a different league, offering a physical style and defensive acumen that could complement the existing defensive core.
Between the pipes, goaltender William Lavallière arrives with a .917 save percentage in the Federal Prospects Hockey League, a figure that signals his readiness to compete for playing time and push the team’s defensive standards higher.
The moves reflect a broader strategy by the Railers to blend home‑grown talent with experienced additions from across North America, aiming to remain competitive in a crowded conference and to build a sustainable path toward future playoff contention.