After a season at the bottom, the Otters will hope their new additions will help them climb back up the standings.
From the very start, it was a tough year for the Otters.
Erie was one of the teams most impacted by players leaving early, though it wasn't just the NCAA route they lost players to. It turns out Matthew Schaefer was so good he was ready to step in and dominate the NHL, while Carey Terrance also turned pro and Malcolm Spence left for the University of Michigan.
In all, that led to a full rebuilding year for the Pennsylvanians, one that saw them end up dead last in the Western conference and picking second overall at the draft.
Erie will hope their new signings can help usher in a rise in the standings. (Photo: Brandon Soto/OHL Images)But, bottoming out like that means there's plenty of room to bring in some exciting new additions into the fold, and that's exactly what's happened with the Otters.
At the draft, Colin Kennedy was the pick at second, who will provide a good bit of offence and big potential to a team that needs it. Erie has also brought in a couple of American signings in Broden McArthur and Anton Gesink, both 2009-born players who will fit the timeline of this team very well.
They've also signed both of their import picks this year, with Austrian Paul Schuster and Finn Luka Arkko signed and joining the team.
While 2025-26 was a year at the bottom, Erie has a clear plan to build out with young talent, and that will make them a pretty entertaining watch in the new season. While it may not be time for the young Otters to be true contenders yet, this season will be important for experience and a hope to get back into the playoffs.
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