Comets Announce 2026 Training Camp Roster

Sep 27, 2026

Utica, NY – The Utica Comets have announced a 26-man roster with training camp officially kicking off today at NBT Bank Arena as excitement mounts for the season opener this Friday in Providence. The group consists of 16 forwards, seven defensemen, and three goaltenders.  

Head Coach Ryan Parent's squad will skate tomorrow (Monday), Wednesday and Thursday before the team heads to Providence for a date with the Bruins this Friday, October 2nd at 7:05 PM. This will be Parent's second full season as Comets' bench boss after bringing the team within a point of playoff contention last season. It also marks the second season in Utica for Assistant Coach Matt Carkner and the first for Assistant Coach Mike Zalewski, the New Hartford, NY native who suited up in 167 regular season games and 27 playoff games with the Comets during his playing career which included the team's run to the Calder Cup Finals in 2014-15.  

Devils' Assistant General Manager/Comets' General Manager Braden Birch had a busy and highly productive offseason after being hired by New Jersey. Birch's new post follows a 12-year stint as part of the Florida Panthers' front office where he helped the team hoist back-to-back Stanley Cups.  

Among the new faces present at camp include forwards Ben Steeves, Tristan Ashbrook, Zach Gallant, Gabe Klassen, DJ King, Justin Pearson, Cristophe Tellier and Jeremy Wilmer, defensemen Eamon Powell, Etienne Morin and Anton Silaev, and goaltender Seth Eisele.  

Ben Steeves was one of the big additions in the offseason after he was acquired in a trade by the Devils that sent former Comets' forward Angus Crookshank to the Florida Panthers organization. The skilled winger spent last season with the Charlotte Checkers (AHL), leading the club with 23 goals and 45 points as well as nine power play goals. Another key signing was defenseman Eamon Powell, a native of nearby Marcellus, NY. The former two-time captain at Boston College and Hockey East Best Defensive Defenseman in 2024-25 arrives in Utica after spending his rookie campaign with the Charlotte Checkers (AHL) and Savannah Ghost Pirates (ECHL).  

Among the players returning from last season on the training camp roster include forwards Josh Filmon, Lenni Hameenaho, Shane Lachance, Matyas Melovsky, Xavier Parent, Cam Squires, Jack Malone and Ryan Schmelzer, defensemen Mikael Diotte, Ethan Edwards, Jeremy Hanzel and Charlie Leddy, and goaltenders Jakub Malek and Jeremy Brodeur. Both Melovsky and Edwards had strong showings during Devils' preseason, posting two assists and a goal and an assist, respectively, in two games.  

Only 100 tickets remain for the Comets' Home Opener. To watch the Comets take on the Rochester Americans at NBT Bank Arena on Saturday, October 10th at 6 PM, please visit uticacomets.com/tickets or call 315-790-9070. 

 

2026 Training Camp Roster 

Forwards 

6. Ben Steeves 

9. Tristan Ashbrook  

12. Cam Squires 

13. Jack Malone 

16. Jeremy Wilmer  

19. Josh Filmon 

20. Shane Lachance 

21. Matyas Melovsky 

24. Justin Pearson 

25. Cristophe Tellier 

26. Ryan Schmelzer 

29. Lenni Hämeenaho 

62. Zach Gallant 

64. Gabe Klassen 

67. Xavier Parent 

72. DJ King  

 

Defensemen 

2. Eamon Powell 

4. Jeremy Hanzel 

5. Etienne Morin 

7. Charlie Leddy 

52. Anton Silaev 

58. Mikaël Diotte 

73. Ethan Edwards 

 

Goaltenders 

31. Jakub Málek 

34. Seth Eisele 

56. Jeremy Brodeur