The Hobart hockey to France pipeline continues as two Statesmen recently signed deals with Yetis du Mont-Blanc. Three-time national champions, goaltender Damon Beaver '26 and forward Kahlil Fontana '26 will remain teammates when they take the ice in Mont Blanc next year.
 
"I'm really excited for these two," Head Coach Mark Taylor said. "It's great to get paid to continue to play, to do it in Mont Blanc, in the French Alps, is a bonus, but to do it with a current teammate and best friend will be memories for a lifetime. I give credit to their new coach, he was the first one to call me and was on these two first. I really like the opportunity that Kahlil and Damon have with Mont Blanc and the new coach. It's an opportunity to take the team to new levels. These two certainly know what that is about and are excited to do it there. I can't wait to follow all the guys playing overseas next year."
 
Beaver and Fontana are the third and fourth Statesmen from the Class of 2026 to sign to play professionally in the French Division I Hockey League. Forward Tanner Daniels will be playing in Cholet and Mavrick Goyer signed to play in Valenciennes. Over the last two years, seven Statesmen have gone to France to play professionally. In addition, Zach Tyson '22, MSM'23 played with Mont Blanc during the 2023-24 season.
 
The 2026 Sid Watson Award winner, Beaver played in 21 games this season. He was 20-1-0, posting a 0.99 GAA, a .951 save percentage and seven shutouts. Beaver set the Hobart single-season record for wins and matched his own record for shutouts. He was first in the nation in winning percentage (.962), GAA, save percentage and shutouts.
 
One of the best goalies to ever pull on a Hobart sweater, Beaver played in 79 career games, posting a record of 73-5-1 with 26 shutouts. He allowed just 81 goals, compiling a 1.02 GAA and a .955 save percentage. Beaver broke the Hobart career records for wins, shutouts and save percentage. Beaver holds the NCAA Division III career shutouts record and is fifth all-time in wins.
 
A captain, Fontana was named to the AHCA All-America East first team following his senior season. He played in all 31 games this season. Fontana led the Statesmen with 21 goals and was second on the team with 42 points. He matched the Hobart record with four goals in a game in Hobart's victory over Skidmore. Fontana finished the year 13th in the nation in goals per game (0.68) and 18th in points per game (1.35).
 
The 2025 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player, Fontana, played in 116 games during his career. He compiled 88 points on 42 goals and 46 assists. Fontana was named the SUNYAC Men's Hockey Scholar-Athlete of the Year in April.
 
Beaver and Fontana were key contributors to the Class of 2026 that finished their careers with a program record 116 wins and a .944 winning percentage. They made four trips to the national championship game, winning three national titles. They went undefeated at home during their careers, posting a 68-0-0 record at The Cooler.