Hobart hockey captain Tanner Daniels recently signed a professional contract with Dogs de Cholet in the French Division I hockey league. He joins former Statesmen teammate Matthew Iasenza '25.
 
"This is great for Tanner and Cholet," Thomas B. Poole '61 and Family Head Coach of Hobart Hockey Mark Taylor said. "Tanner has proven to be a great player on championship teams, and Cholet just won a French Championship, so it's a perfect fit. I know he's excited to join Matt, who was a part of that championship this past season. I have a lot of respect for the coach and program there, and I certainly believe in Tanner. It's a great fit, and I'm excited to see Tanner and Matt back together, chasing another title." 
 
Daniels is the fifth Statesman in the last two years to sign in France. Last month, Mavrick Goyer '26 signed with Diables Rouges de Valenciennes. Austin Mourar '24, MSM '25 and Cooper Swift '25 played in France last year. Iasenza re-signed with Cholet after helping them claim the French league title last year.
 
A captain, Daniels was named to the 2026 AHCA All-America East second team this season. He played in all 31 games, recording 37 points on 16 goals and 21 assists. Daniels was second on the team in goals. He had 12 multi-point games this season, including a goal and an assist in the NCAA quarterfinal victory over St. Norbert. Daniels was fourth on the team and 39th in the nation in points per game (1.19).  Daniels was 18th in the nation with six power-play goals. He had two goals in Hobart's trip to Oswego in December, one of three multi-goal games this season.  
 
Hobart's ironman, Daniels, played in 119 of the 124 games over the past four years, including the final 69 games of his collegiate career. A two-time AHCA All-American, he was nearly a point per game player during his career. Daniels compiled 117 points on 49 goals and 68 assists. He set Hobart's career record for games played, is fourth on the all-time assists list and eighth on the points list.
 
A three-time national champion, Daniels and his classmates finished their careers with a program record 116 wins and a .944 winning percentage. They made four trips to the national championship game, won three NEHC Championships and one SUNYAC title. They were a perfect 68-0-0 at home during their careers.