Hockey New Year!
01Jan
Category: Featured
31Dec
7th year defenseman Charlie Dodero(92) switches up basically three full years with Idaho Steelheads (5 total) that did include a short stint to start last season for Tingsryd IF, where he managed a decent 2 goals and 5 assists in 19 Allsvenskan games but decided to return to North America.
He once again begins the new session overseas signing a one-year agreement with Graz 99ers of EBEL.
The 27-year old American-born player, who went from a single USHL campaign to four in the OHL before turning pro could find success in Austria’s top league or could return by the half season mark.
29Dec
3rd year left wing Ryan Penny(11) took 2018/2019 off after re-signing with Reading Royals playing 53 ECHL games (16 goals, 16 assists) while also getting loaned up to Binghamton Devils, where he skated 11 AHL games with 1 assist and a +1 rating.
He returns agreeing to head to McGill University for 2019/2020.
If he follows a three year degree program, he will still be only 28, if he decides to return to pro hockey.
28Dec
5th year defenseman Chris Carlisle(28) skates one year back initially agreeing to terms with Manchester Monarchs and playing a solid 44 ECHL games scoring 3 goals and 19 assists but ultimately signing an spc with Belleville Senators to round out 2018/2019 playing 10 AHL games grabbing 3 assists to a return overseas signing for 2019/2020 with MAC Ujbuda of Slovak Tipsport Liga.
It’s a bit of a wonder why after winning the 2018 EBEL Championship with HC Bolzano Foxes why he returned but the still super young 24-year old should do well overseas.
27Dec
4th year defenseman Mike Downing(4) goes unqualified after three years in draft club Florida Panthers‘ system and signs with Florida Everglades, the team he was reassigned to last season and played 17 ECHL games with scoring a goal and 7 assists with a +4 rating, then adding another 4 goals and 5 assists in 14 playoff contests.
The three-year University Of Michigan standout grabbed 10+ assists in each campaign, including the 2016 NCAA/B1G Championship.
At still just 24-years old, he could definitely take a good season overseas for his next pro hockey adventure.
25Dec
Good will to all. Enjoy the time.
24Dec
8th defenseman Ben Blood(19) has played successfully in Liiga pretty much since leaving North American pro hockey 13 ECHL games into the 2013/2014 season with Wheeling Nailers.
He initially left for a deal with Stjernen Hockey scoring a career best 7 goals and 12 assists in just 22 GET-ligaen games.
From there, he got noticed by Liiga and apart from a 12 EIHL game furlough with Cardiff Devils, has played for the last 5 seasons in the league.
The very large blue liner put up a new high 14 assists in 2018/2019 with Tappara and re-signs to return.
At 30-years old, he looks to have made home in Finland’s top hockey.
23Dec
Undrafted 6th year goalie Kevin Carr(37) signs on with Nottingham Panthers after another solid season backstopping Utah Grizzlies with a 2.66 GAA and .906 SV% in 34 ECHL games.
The former NCAA Division III net minder, who put up stellar numbers with Buffalo State College before turning pro with 4 SPHL games for Peoria Rivermen (1.85 GAA & .950 SV%).
He signed his first contract with Tulsa Oilers in 2014/2015 and has guarded the cage for over 200 games in the league.
The 29-year is now off to a new adventure in the EIHL and is off to a strong start in his first 12 starts with a stingy 2.17 GAA and .922 SV%, which if he can sustain will likely have him continue to look for the best possible hockey.
22Dec
8th year right wing Alexandre Grenier(28) leaves for Iserlohn Roosters of DEL for 2019/2020.
He last skated for Laval Rocket on an AHL contract, his first.
Maybe not posting his usual 40+ point campaign (he’s had 4 and one as a 2nd year player at 39) but still managed a sixth 10+ goal season.
Unfortunately he’s been less successful in the NHL in two appearances (9 games) with draft club Vancouver Canucks getting 0 points.
The 28-year old will likely strike pretty big in Germany’s top league and may stay or look for even better next outing.
21Dec
6th year defenseman Jesse Graham(64) is enjoying his 1st season away as he initially signed with HK Nitra of Slovak Tipsport Liga but after scoring a goal and two assists in 4 games has since been upped to join Liiga‘s KalPa for the remainder of 2019/2020.
If the 25-year old can settle in Finland’s top hockey league, he should enjoy his time overseas very much.