WORCESTER, MA — The Worcester Railers have added five players as the team continues building its roster for the 2026-27 season.
The Railers announced Wednesday that forwards Jordan Kaplan and Tyson Fawcett, defensemen Cam McDonald and Will van der Veen and goaltender William Lavallière have signed ECHL contracts for the upcoming season.
McDonald, 25, is returning to Worcester for his third professional season. He played 63 games for the Railers last season, ranking second among the team's defensemen in games played and assists with 12, according to the Railers.
Kaplan, 29, returns after splitting last season among Wheeling, Cincinnati and Worcester. He had six points in nine games after rejoining the Railers late in the 2025-26 season, according to the team.
Fawcett, 33, joins Worcester for his 13th professional season after playing 70 games for the Adirondack Thunder last season. He has played 509 ECHL games across 10 organizations, according to the Railers.
Van der Veen, 24, a Duxbury native, is signing with Worcester for his first full ECHL season. He spent time with the Evansville Thunderbolts in the Southern Professional Hockey League and played four games for the Tulsa Oilers last season, according to the team.
Lavallière, 33, is also signing for his first full ECHL season after a brief stint with Worcester last season. He also played for Trois-Rivières and the Federal Prospects Hockey League's Athens Rock Lobsters during the 2025-26 season, according to the Railers.
The Railers said they have now announced 19 players signed for the 2026-27 season. The team's opening night is scheduled for Oct. 17 at the DCU Center against the Maine Mariners, according to the team.
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