WORCESTER RAILERS HC RE-SIGN COLE DONHAUSER FOR 2025-26 SEASON

WORCESTER RAILERS HC RE-SIGN COLE DONHAUSER FOR 2025-26 SEASON

Railers officially have four forwards signed for the upcoming season.

WORCESTER, Mass. – The Worcester Railers Hockey Club (@RailersHC), proud ECHL (@ECHL) affiliate of the New York Islanders (@NYIslanders), and Head Coach & General Manager Nick Tuzzolino, announced today that the club has re-signed forward Cole Donhauser to an ECHL contract for the 2025-26 season.

Donhauser, 25, comes to Worcester following his rookie season with the Railers in the 2024-25 campaign. In his first full professional season, the Buffalo, NY native played in 71 games for Worcester, which was tied for third-most on the team. He had 29 points (10G, 19A) in the 2024-25 season along with a -6 rating and 92 penalty minutes. Donhauser led all rookies in the ECHL in shorthanded points with five (2G, 3A). His three assists were first among rookies as well.

"Cole was probably our unsung hero last year," Tuzzolino said. "He was a guy that we could rely on every single night and get top effort with some really good results. I expect him to take huge strides this year both on the ice and in the locker room with our leadership. He is the definition of what the Worcester Railers are all about."

Donhauser started the 2023-24 season in the Elite Ice Hockey League with the Coventry Blaze, playing in seven games and notching two assists. Donhauser joined the Idaho Steelheads midway through the season for two games before being traded to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits. With Greenville, he scored seven points (2G, 5A) in twelve games played for the top seed in the South Division. Prior to professional hockey, the 6'0", 190lb forward spent four years with the Yale University Bulldogs. In 80 games with Yale, Donhauser scored 30 points (12G, 18A) to go with 85 penalty minutes. He played with the Chilliwack Chiefs of the British Columbia Hockey League during the 2018-19 season where he scored 42 points (17G, 25A) in 56 games.

"For me last year, the second half I had felt like I really started to find my game," Donhauser said. "I'm really hoping to keep that going into this year and have a better start to the season both as a team and individually."

The Railers have announced four players officially signed for the 2025-26 season, as Donhauser joins Tyson Gilmour, Lincoln Hatten, and Anthony Repaci as the fourth signee of the season. More announcements are expected over the coming weeks.

Worcester Regional Airport is the official airport of the Worcester Railers HC and presenting partner of all Railers transactions.

The Worcester Railers HC 2025-26 Opening Weekend at the DCU Center is Sat., Oct. 18th and Sun. Oct. 19th vs. the Maine Mariners and Adirondack Thunder. The 508 Club is now on sale for the 2025-26 season! Get access to games this season, exclusive events and additional benefits by calling the Railers front office at 508-365-1750 or by visiting RailersHC.com.

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