Odessa Forward Ghiossi makes NCAA Commitment

The Odessa Jackalopes of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) are proud to announce that forward Caden Ghiossi has committed to play NCAA hockey for Utica University in the UCHC.

The 6-foot-1 lefty from San Jose, California, Ghiossi will head to Utica, New York, to join the Pioneers in the fall. Ghiossi is a second-year veteran of the Jackalopes. This season, the ‘05 skater was the top goal-scorer on Odessa, lighting the lamp 31 times for the South Division team. The 20-year-old's offensive production had him tied first on the team with 61 points on the season. Ghiossi registered 30 assists while featuring a team-leading +22 rating on the year. He laced up for almost every regular-season contest, hitting the ice in 58 out of 59 games. Ghiossi was effective on the man advantage, finding twine eight times on the power play this year. In addition, the California native showed up on the scoresheet often for Odessa, registering 45 games with at least one point. Ghiossi recorded 14 multi-point contests this season.

His work on the ice earned him recognition as a Top Prospect for the 2026 Top Prospects Tournament at the USA Hockey Arena. He represented the South Division at the annual event and produced three points over the two-day tournament. He scored a game-winning tally while notching two assists. The recognition did not stop there, as Ghiossi was named to the All-South Division Team for his on-ice skill during the regular season.

In his rookie year in the League of Opportunity, the Golden State skater featured a 31-point debut season. The 20-year-old registered 15 goals and 16 assists with the Jackalopes. Two of his tallies were deciders in contests, while two goals were scored on the man advantage.

He joins a very strong Division III hockey program with the Utica University Pioneers. The program has made the postseason in the last five seasons.

Ghiossi is one of four members of the Odessa Jackalopes to make a college ice hockey commitment.

Click here for an updated NAHL to NCAA commitment list