SUPERIOR, Wis. – Three graduating seniors from the Yellowjacket men's hockey team have signed contracts to continue their respective 2023-24 seasons in the professional ranks.
 
Forwards C.J. Walker (Boise, Idaho/Athol Murray College of Notre Dame) and Ty Proffitt (Fairbanks, Alaska/Fairbanks BEST), along with defenseman Troy Quinn (Nepean, Ontario/St. Paul's Catholic), signed professional contracts in the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL). All three made their debuts less than a week after their collegiate careers came to a close.
 
"We've had a lot of success over the last few years getting players signed to play professionally once their time at UW-Superior comes to an end," said Yellowjacket head men's hockey coach Rich McKenna. "It speaks to the abilities of the players, but it also speaks to the things our staff is doing to prepare these players to take their game to another level."
 
Walker, who led the Yellowjackets in scoring in 2023-24 signed with the Birmingham Bulls, a team that features former Yellowjackets MacGregor Sinclair (Irma, Alberta/Irma School), Troy MacTavish, Jonny Pace and Dylan Johnson. Walker debuted Feb. 23 and scored a goal in his first professional game. Walker appeared in two games over the weekend. During his time with the Yellowjackets, Walker played 93 games, scoring 18-34-52.
 
Quinn signed with Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs and played in two games over the weekend. He didn't record any points but did have three shots on goal. In his four seasons with the Yellowjackets, Quinn appeared in 71 games, scoring two goals and 12 assists for 14 points. He also had 36 penalty minutes in his career.

Proffitt is the only Yellowjacket to date to have taken advantage of an extra season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In five years with the Yellowjackets, Proffitt appeared in 78 games, scoring eight goals and 11 assists for 19 points, including going 0-2-2 in 15 games this season. Proffitt signed with the Fayetteville Marksmen and didn't record any points in his first two appearances. He did record two shots on goal and four penalty minutes.
 
Since the end of the 2021-22 season, the Yellowjackets have had 19 players sign professional contracts. Several have gotten time in the ECHL, including Jordan Martin and Charles Martin (Blainville, Quebec/École internationale Lucille-Teasdale), who have each spent the full 2023-24 season in the league. Charles Martin (Blainville, Quebec/École internationale Lucille-Teasdale) also had a brief call up with the Calgary Wranglers of the American Hockey League(AHL), one level below the National Hockey League.