The Erie Otters are reaping the benefits of the evolving junior hockey landscape, adding two highly touted NCAA-committed forwards to an already promising roster.
Otters General Manager Dave Brown announced that Mclean Agrette, a University of Massachusetts commit, and Ritter Coombs, a Providence College commit, have both signed OHL Scholarship and Development Agreements with the team. The duo brings a potent mix of offensive skill and physicality to the Otters’ forward core, as the team continues to reshape itself into a dynamic and multi-dimensional contender.
Agrette, a 17-year-old native of the Niagara region, spent last season lighting up the scoreboard with the South Kent School 18U AAA Prep Program. In 63 games, the 5’8”, 165-pound forward tallied a staggering 100 points (43G+57A). He also ranked fifth in the Prep Hockey Conference with 20 points (9G+11A) in just 14 league games, leading his team in scoring. Agrette is committed to the University of Massachusetts for the 2026-27 season and has chosen Erie as the next step in his development.
“We are very excited to welcome Mclean and the Agrette family to the Otters,” said Scott Grieve, Otters Director of Hockey Operations. “With the new development landscape, Mclean is another NCAA committed player who we are thrilled to welcome to Erie. Mclean has a high level of skill and offensive IQ, and understands how to create offensively both with and without the puck. Mclean brings to the Otters high-end IQ and vision, and is able to both distribute the puck and capitalize on scoring chances. Mclean has had great success in years past at creating for his team, and we are thrilled to add him to the organization. We look forward to working with him on his continued development both on and off the ice.”
Agrette becomes the seventh player to sign with the Otters, and the third this offseason alongside Luc Plante and Ritter Coombs. He joins a growing list of NCAA-committed players who have suited up for Erie since recent eligibility rule changes, including Callum Hughes (Boston University), Quinn McCall (College of the Holy Cross), Oliver Turner (Colgate University), and Garrett Frazer (Northeastern University).
Meanwhile, 18-year-old Ritter Coombs adds a different flavour to the forward group. The 6’1”, 183-pound power forward split last season between the Dubuque Fighting Saints and Sioux Falls Stampede of the USHL, notching 23 points (10G+13A) and racking up 144 penalty minutes in 50 games. He added another 27 penalty minutes in three playoff contests with Sioux Falls. Coombs is committed to Providence College for the 2025-26 season but will bring his physical edge and two-way game to Erie in the meantime.
“We are extremely excited to welcome Ritter and the Coombs family to the Erie Otters,” said Grieve. “Ritter is a player who has a very translatable blend of sandpaper and ability to make plays with the puck. When watching the playoffs in both the CHL and professional leagues, players with Ritter’s skillset are valuable. As we continue to build a team that is hard to play against and can play different styles of games against various opponents, we feel Ritter is a great fit. We are excited to work with Ritter on his continued development both on and off the ice.”
Coombs, a native of Dubuque, Iowa, now resides in Jamestown, NY—just a 45-minute drive from Erie. He played 26 games for Jamestown High School between 2021 and 2023. His connection to the OHL runs deep, with his father Joe Coombs having played four seasons in the league with the Kitchener Rangers and Belleville Bulls, scoring 75 goals over his final two campaigns.
“Playing in a storied organization like Erie is a dream come true,” Coombs said. “Can’t argue with the many NHL players and talent that has come out of here. Working with a coach like Kris Mallette is an amazing opportunity, and I could not be more thankful for him and Dave Brown for giving me this chance.”
“Since I can remember, it’s always been a dream to play in the OHL,” Coombs added. “My dad played Major Junior back in the day. I could not be happier that the rule changed and I get this opportunity.”
Together, Agrette and Coombs give the Otters a versatile one-two punch of finesse and grit as the team continues to reload for the upcoming OHL season. From high-end offensive instincts to playoff-ready toughness, Erie’s newest additions are primed to make an immediate impact in the Flagship City.