Every hockey season begins when a collection of familiar players are joined by a complement of new personalities. For months, the Waterloo Black Hawks have been working to put the right group on ice this September.
The United States Hockey League's new Standard Player Development Agreement provides more certainty for both players and teams. As the league noted when introducing these agreements in April, "The SPDA formalizes expectations that already define the USHL experience, including academic support programming, strength and performance resources, billet family housing, travel support, mental wellness services, and access to elite coaching and competition." Many of the players who will be important contributors to Waterloo's success in 2026/27 have indelibly inked their commitment to the team through an SPDA.
Today and throughout the weeks ahead, visit this page to learn more about the veterans and newcomers who will push Young Arena up to full volume starting this fall.
Cody Sokol – Forward
Brighton, MI
Last season, Sokol drew a tough hand. The forward opened the year with the Green Bay Gamblers, but an injury took him off the ice in mid-October. He didn't return to action until almost February.
The University of Wisconsin recruit had played 13 Gambler games as the trade deadline approached. Fellow Wisconsin recruit Chase Jette had also been derailed by injuries in Waterloo. As the time to make deals was ending, the Hawks sent Jette to Green Bay for his final junior games. The swap meant that Sokol would bring his speed and skill to Young Arena in 2026/27.
"Cody is another of our younger exciting players returning," said Head Coach Brett Olson. "His speed, escapability, and creativity make him a dynamic and dangerous player when he's on the ice. With the attention he will put into developing his play away from the puck this summer, we anticipate he will have a potential breakout year."
The Hawks saw a small sample of Sokol's ability from mid-February onward. With breakaway quickness, Sokol produced a goal and three assists in 16 games. Notably, he generated over two shots on goal per appearance. Among returning players, only veteran Dylan Nolan had a higher average as the team was held to 24.6 shots per game last winter.
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Sebastian Charvat – Goalie
Liberec, Czechia
Charvat took the rare step of joining the Black Hawks for the team's camp last month. Due to the strenuous transatlantic travel, it is extraordinary for European players to make the journey for camp. Hawks General Manager Kevin Gibson appreciated Charvat's attendance as a sign of the goalie's commitment to the Black Hawks and a first step toward success in Waterloo this season.
"Sebastian was a workhorse last year in the top Czech league," said Gibson. "He's a high-character kid who we are happy to continue to develop over here in North America. He's got good size and mobility in the net; we feel he is a great fit for our group moving forward."
Earlier this spring, NHL Central Scouting designated Charvat the second-best goaltending prospect in Czechia and ninth among all eligible international netminders during the 2026 NHL Draft cycle.
Playing for Liberec in the Czech U20 league, Charvat delivered a .907 save percentage across 40 appearances. He faced more shots on goal than any netminder in that league, while playing the third-most minutes.
Noa Nsonsa-Kitala – Forward
Mons, Belgium
Few players have ever come to the Black Hawks with a background quite like Nsonsa-Kitala. A dual Belgian-French citizen, the forward has been playing in France throughout his career. That includes time representing the French at top international competitions for his age group, and more.
"Noa got good experience playing against men last year in the top pro league in France," explained General Manager Kevin Gibson. "He will be a welcome addition to our group. He's got good size and can really skate. We are looking forward to helping him make the jump over to North America."
Nsonsa-Kitala appeared in 33 games for Marseille in the French league last season. For good measure, he also skated during the World Junior Championships for the second time in his career.
Waterloo selected Nsonsa-Kitala during the fifth round in Phase II of last spring's USHL Draft. A year earlier, NHL Central Scouting had ranked him among the top 125 international prospects eligible for the 2025 NHL Draft. Although he will turn 20 next spring, Nsonsa-Kitala's circumstances make him eligible to be drafted by an NHL club in 2027.
James Russell – Defenseman
Huntington Beach, CA
James brings a uniquely personable demeanor to the rink each day. His outgoing nature makes the 6-foot, 1-inch defenseman easy to connect with for teammates, staff, and fans.
Russell showed growth on ice during his first four months in Waterloo. From the time he arrived in a trade from Dubuque, he owned the second-best plus/minus differential among Hawks defensemen. He also contributed offense in the form of two goals and three assists in 29 games, including a goal against the Omaha Lancers January 10th during his debut weekend with the team.
"James provides a steady presence on our back end; he's able to move pucks up ice and keep plays in front of him defensively," said Head Coach Brett Olson. "He also has the ability to chip in offensively here and there. We are anticipating he makes a big leap this summer with his training to come back more confident and stronger this season."
James and twin brother Hayden hope to draw on experience from their successful AAA careers. In 2023, both players won a 15U USA Hockey National Championship with the LA Junior Kings. Both Russells will also be weighing their college commitment opportunities in 2026/27 as they take the ice at Young Arena for a second season.
Hayden Russell – Forward
Huntington Beach, CA
Hayden and twin brother James divided the winter almost evenly between Dubuque and Waterloo following a January trade. As the schedule was winding down, Hayden enjoyed his best success as a Black Hawk, putting him in a strong position to return as a substantial contributor in 2026/27.
"Hayden is a player with great vision, skill, and sense for the game," noted Hawks Head Coach Brett Olson. "He had a really good June Main Camp, and having experience with two different USHL organizations last year will provide him with a good foundation to make an impact on both sides of the puck for us this season."
Seven of Hayden's 11 points for Waterloo were produced in the last three weeks of the schedule. Visiting the National Team Development Program Under 18s on March 20th, he buried a rebound chance only seconds after a successful penalty kill. Russell scored again in the second period; at the time it gave the Hawks a 3-0 lead, and Waterloo hung on for a 3-2 win.
Russell added goals in three of the next four games. His flourish at the end of the season brought his first USHL schedule to an end with a total of 34 points (11 goals, 23 assists) in 59 games.
Colin Dustin – Forward
Galena, OH
Dustin takes the next step to the United States Hockey League this season. The Black Hawks picked him with a third-round selection during Phase II of the USHL Draft in May. He spent his first full season of junior hockey with the Rochester Jr. Americans in the North American Hockey League last winter.
"Colin had a great season in the NAHL," said Hawks General Manager Kevin Gibson. "He was with an older group of guys and still found a way to play a significant role on his team. Colin is a winner and will be great for our culture. Waterloo fans will love his style of play. We are looking forward to being part of Colin's development."
In 53 NAHL contests, Dustin produced an even 20 goals and 20 assists. The goal total ranked second among the Jr. Americans. That included three game-winners for the 5-foot, 11-inch forward. Also notably, Dustin finished the year with a +22 plus/minus differential, ranking second among Rochester skaters.
Dustin is committed to Niagara University.
Caleb Deanovich – Defense
Fond du Lac, WI
Players with the distinction of being the youngest Black Hawks defenseman on the roster have some compelling success stories. Ian McCoshen and Mikey Anderson later reached the NHL. More recently, Landon Nycz and Nick Bogas were both NHL Draft picks this summer.
The Hawks' youngest defenseman last year was Deanovich. Even considering an early-season injury in 2025/26, most of his 39 appearances came before his 17th birthday in March.
"Caleb has a very high ceiling potential as a younger player returning with USHL experience," said Head Coach Brett Olson. "With some maturation and more experience to come, he could eventually become one of the most dynamic defensemen in our league."
Deanovich didn't make his USHL debut until December 5th. He scored his first goal the next night during a 7-4 Hawks win against the Sioux City Musketeers (and also added an assist). Deanovich finished the season with 10 points (three goals, seven assists). Still growing as he returns to Waterloo this fall, Deanovich will be an intriguing player to watch for both college and pro scouts as he makes an even bigger impact during his second season on the Hawks' blue line.
Salvatore Viviano – Forward
Grand Blanc, MI
A castoff from another USHL club last September, Viviano met many of his new Waterloo teammates just in time for the Hawks' second game at the 2025 USHL Fall Classic. Waterloo's matchup the night before was the only game he missed for the Hawks all season.
"Sal is a very important piece of our returning core, from a production and leadership standpoint," said Head Coach Brett Olson. "It was great to see his game develop and blossom last season. We are excited for him to lead by example - through work and determination - to benefit his overall game, which will also greatly benefit our team's success."
Viviano established a formal leadership role on the team and was named an associate captain during the latter part of the season. He finished second in scoring for Waterloo (40 points). Viviano's 24 assists paced the team, and he also topped the squad with four game-winning goals.
Among those decisive scores, Viviano produced the Black Hawks' only overtime goal of the 2025/26 season, propelling Waterloo to a 4-3 Halloween night victory on the road against the Green Bay Gamblers. The October 31st performance was one of eight multipoint games the forward celebrated for Waterloo. Viviano's most noteworthy individual effort was a hat trick on the road against the Des Moines Buccaneers December 9th.
Jimmy Rieber – Defense
Third Lake, IL
Although the Black Hawks struggled through stretches of 2025/26, Rieber's development as a USHL regular was one of last season's highlights. The Miami recruit brings a steady defensive game; his rookie season didn't include glittery, eye-popping statistics, but Head Coach Brett Olson likes what he does bring each night.
"Jimmy is a player we are very excited to have back and to see how far he can take his game to the next level," said Olson. "His growth and experience from last season should position him to succeed individually and, more importantly, provide strong consistency on the back end for our team's success."
Rieber made a compelling case to be on the Hawks' roster last fall, then went on to appear in all but two regular season games. One of the matchups he missed was while returning from USA Hockey's All-American Game. He impressed several teams during that showcase event in January. The payoff came last week when the Anaheim Ducks chose Rieber with the 208th overall pick.
This fall when Rieber returns to the Cedar Valley, he will become the first NHL-drafted defenseman to open a campaign on the Black Hawks roster since Sam Rinzel in the fall of 2022. Rieber will take the ice at Young Arena with added experience from participating in Anaheim's Development Camp, happening this week in Irvine, California.
David Sedlacek – Forward
Zatec, Czechia
Sedlacek was one of three first round Phase II picks in April during the 2026 USHL Draft. His play at Karlovy Vary in the Czech U20 league last winter also caught the attention of NHL Scouts in advance of June's NHL Draft.
The 6-foot, 2-inch forward turned 18 while skating for the Energie in January. Sedlacek played in 52 games and tied for third in scoring for Karlovy Vary with 34 points (13 goals, 21 assists). During April, he notched two goals in seven games for Czechia's National U18 team. He returned from the competition in Slovakia with a bronze medal.
In April, NHL Central Scouting positioned him 43rd among European prospects in the spring's final pre-draft ranking. Only two Czech skaters placed ahead of Sedlacek on that list. Although undrafted last weekend, he will come to North America as a candidate for the 2027 NHL Draft with scouts watching each time he takes the ice for Waterloo.
"David will be a great addition to our team," said Black Hawks General Manager Kevin Gibson. "He is a big body with good sense and physicality to go along with strong compete. He is a high-character individual that caught our eye at the international events this past season. He's got the ability to play both center and on the wing."
