ORONO, Maine – Defenseman Brandon Holt of the University of Maine men's ice hockey team has signed a one-year contract with the American Hockey League's (AHL) Tucson Roadrunners beginning in the 2026-27 season, as announced on Thursday by the organization.

Holt will join the Roadrunners immediately on an Amateur Tryout (ATO) for the remainder of the 2025-26 campaign. The Roadrunners are the top affiliate of the National Hockey League's (NHL) Utah Mammoth.

Holt was voted the Hockey East Best Defensive Defenseman and earned First Team All-Star honors this season while serving as captain of the Black Bears. He led Maine in scoring this season while setting career highs in goals (6), assists (26), points (32) and blocked shots (47). Holt's 32 points marked the first 30-plus point season by a Maine defenseman since Ben Hutton recorded 33 in 2011-12. Additionally, Holt was voted the co-winner of the Len Ceglarski Sportsmanship Award, which is presented annually to the league player who consistently demonstrates superior conduct and sportsmanship on and off the ice.

The Grand Forks, N.D. native, who was also a Hockey East Third Team All-Star as a junior, finished his Maine career with 78 points in 126 career games. He was the only Hockey East defenseman over the last 20 seasons to record 75 or more career points while also posting 40 or fewer career penalty minutes.

-UMaine-