College hockey’s transfer portal opened for the 2026 off-season on Monday, and amidst a frenzy of activity one prominent Calgary Flames prospect has reportedly transferred schools while another is assessing his options.

Per multiple reports from college puck’s top insiders, 2025 first-round selection Cullen Potter is moving from Arizona State University to Michigan State University for his junior season, while 2022 seventh-round pick Cade Littler has entered the transfer portal to assess his options following his sophomore year at the University of North Dakota.

A product of scenic Minneapolis, Minnesota, Potter played a season with the U.S. National Under-17 Team (under the umbrella of the U.S. National Development Program) and had committed to Michigan State, with the idea he would play a year with the U.S. National Under-18 Team in 2024-25 and then go to Michigan State as an 18-year-old. But he wanted to go to school a year early, which led to him de-committing from Michigan State and heading to Arizona State as a 17-year-old instead.

He was drafted by the Flames at 32nd overall in the 2025 NHL Draft following his freshman year at Arizona State, which saw him post 22 points in 35 games as one of the youngest players in college hockey. (He also represented the United States at the Under-18 Worlds, capturing bronze.) However, his sophomore season was derailed by an injury in January, and he ended his season with 26 points in 24 games. In both of his seasons at Arizona State, he was used as a top six centre.

The Grand Forks Herald‘s ace college hockey reporter Brad Elliott Schlossman reported on Sunday to “keep an eye on” Potter in regards to the transfer portal. The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler reported on social media later on Sunday that Potter would be entering the portal. On Monday, both Schlossman and College Hockey News’ Mike McMahon reported that Potter was headed to Michigan State.

Arizona State is a program that’s still getting established, and Potter was their first-ever first-round draft pick. The Sun Devils struggled at times this past season, with injuries and a few down seasons derailing their hopes of qualifying for the NCAA’s national tournament. Michigan State is a more established program with a better track record of sending players to the NHL, so you can understand (a) why Potter committed there originally and (b) why he would want to head there for 2026-27. It’s worth noting that Michigan State’s head coach, Adam Nightingale, will be coaching Team USA at the upcoming World Juniors.

Meanwhile, Schlossman and McMahon both reported on Littler entering the transfer portal after two seasons at North Dakota. Drafted out of the BCHL in 2022, Littler split both 2022-23 and 2023-24 between the BCHL and USHL before joining the Fighting Hawks as a 20-year-old freshman in 2024. He had 9 points in 33 games in 2024-25 and 13 points in 35 games in 2025-26. He was notably a scratch for North Dakota’s Frozen Four semi-final game against Michigan on Thursday. He’s been a depth piece for North Dakota, and perhaps he’s looking to see if he could land somewhere he could have a larger role.

Take $20 off your first Vivid Seats order of $200+ using promo code FLAMESNATION (new customers only, $200 USD minimum before taxes & fees)