The Wilkes Men’s Ice Hockey season has concluded, but they received great news with forwards Cam Lowe, Jack Lee, and Matt Carlson receiving pro contracts. Lowe and Lee join the Quad City Storm, while Matt Carlson starts his professional hockey career with the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs. Both teams are part of Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL).
Lowe had a strong career with Wilkes as he finished with 87 points in his four years with the Colonels, which is fourth all-time in program history. He tallied a career-high four game-winning goals in the 2025-26 season.
Lowe was known for his quick transitioning with the puck on his stick and forcing defenders to make him a difficult player to defend. His edgework helped him maneuver through lanes and help set up the Colonels for goals and offensive pressure.
The Colonels’ former winger was named Conference Player of the Week on Oct. 31, 2022, UCHC Player of the Week, and MAC Offensive Player of the Week on Jan. 16, 2023.
Jack Lee, who was banged up for most of his career, had a strong senior season, finishing over a point per game (1.11), and was a clutch player for the Colonels, notching multiple multi-point games to help Wilkes win 15 games this year.
Lee’s high hockey IQ helped him set up his teammates, finishing with 17 assists, which was good enough for top-three on the team. Lee also had a clutchness factor in his game, finishing just behind his friend Lowe in game-winning goals with three.
Lowe and Lee reunite in their hockey careers and now line up together in Illinois, suiting up for the Storm. Lee also returns to his home state, as he hails from Naperville, IL.
Matt Carlson, captain for the Wilkes Colonels, had a strong senior campaign, finishing with his highest point total this year with 28. Carlson also added multiple power-play goals in his career, finishing with 12 in his career with the Navy and Gold.
This year, it was all about setting his teammates up for success. He led them both on the ice and during discussions on the bench, showing strong leadership. Offensively, he contributed 18 assists, while also helping defensively by keeping the puck out of the net, finishing the season with an impressive +18 rating.
In addition, Carlson owned the faceoff dot as he finished with a 58% rating throughout his four-year career. He finished eighth all-time in program history with 74 point. He was named Second Team All-MAC as a first-year player during the 2022-23 season.
Carlson also earned several weekly honors during his career, including UCHC Rookie of the Week on Feb. 20, 2023, UCHC Player of the Week on Dec. 12, 2022, and MAC Offensive Player of the Week on Dec. 12, 2022, and Jan. 27, 2025.
Currently, all three players have contributed in their early professional careers thus far. As of March 15, Lowe and Lee have combined for three goals and two assists in four games played for the Storm. Carlson has appeared in five games for Roanoke, scoring twice in that span.
