10th year right wing Colton Gillies(81) started his 2nd season in the KHL skating for Dinamo Riga.
Once again, he wasn’t necessarily able to put up big numbers (8-6-14 in 43 games) but must be thought of as being a good player to keep around for his experience and leadership abilities.
After signing an spc with Bridgeport Sound Tigers and playing out 2015/2016 with the team, he made his first move overseas agreeing to a year with HC Banska Bystrica of the Slovak Extraliga.
Despite only average scoring, he was able to land himself in Russia.
The 28-year old may not ever become a scoring sensation but as long as he continues to be an asset will always grab himself a new deal.
Philadelphia Jr. Flyers‘ net minder Dakota Delbridge(31) had a perfect 2nd & 3rd periods to help his team earn their first win of the new EHL season over East Coast Wizards, 5-2.
Undrafted 3rd year left wing Ryan Misiak(9) takes a new best 18 goals and 39 points in 71 ECHL games with Rapid City Rush back to his original team Utah Grizzlies in a recent trade for 2017/2018.
He was with the South Dakota squad for part of his rookie year after a midseason transaction sent him there, then signed to stay another season.
The 5’11” 187 lbs. energy forward put up a career high 22 assists splitting time between the two teams.
He was a prolific scorer in his last two campaigns at Mercyhurst University and also lit it up in his last year of juniors for Muskegon Lumberjacks of the USHL.
The 26-year old was third in scoring last season and should be able to continue to elevate his game back in Salt Lake City to earn a first upper league recall, if he can catch fire on the score sheet.
Undrafted 3rd year defenseman Reggie Traccitto(12) took the long route to turning pro but now that he’s a couple of years in, it’s starting to gel.
Signed to his third deal with Brampton Beast, he played a career best 66 ECHL games scoring a new high 21 assists and 25 points.
He was a few goals shy of his goal mark as a rookie.
The 6′ 207 lbs. blue liner had offensive outbursts as a fourth year player in the OHL, where he won most goals as a defenseman honors with 20 skating for Niagara IceDogs, then did well when he decided to go the college route next at University Of Prince Edward Island in his junior and senior years.
He almost initially turned pro in 2010/2011, when he signed a pto with Ontario Reign but after just 8 appearances was waived and decided to head to school.
Upon graduation, he even got to skate a pair of games with Toronto Marlies on an ato but signed his first contract in the lower league for 2015/2016.
He should be able to increase those totals but it might be tough for him to gain more looks from the higher league.
The 28-year old was loaned up but did not play for St. John’s IceCaps last season and was also involved in a trade as a rookie that sent him to Allen Americans.
He could decide elsewhere best suits his next move, but needs to capitalize on a solid sophomore campaign.
11th year center Jake Dowell(22) decides to change scenery for 2017/2018, signing a one-year deal with EHC Black Wings Linz of Erste Bank Eishockey Liga after 3 years of exclusively playing in the minors with Hamilton Bulldogs and the last two seasons rejoining rookie squad Rockford Icehogs.
The former Chicago Blackhawks‘ 5th round pick in the 2004 draft (#140 overall) is a veteran of 519 AHL games and tidy 157 NHL contests.
After averaging 20+ points through 4 years at University Of Wisconsin but was part of the 2006 NCAA Championship team.
He had one season where he grew his output to 35 points but only reached the 20 mark twice.
In his only full run in the big league with the club he was selected by (2010/2011), he did get 6 goals and 15 assists for a total of 21.
Even at 32-years old, this is one played that shows no signs of quitting and will likely perform really well in the top Austria league.
Walpole Express‘ forward William Lebel(22) notched a pair of tallies to give visiting Boston Jr. Rangers their first loss of the season, 3-0.
The goal gives the big 6’4″ 200 lbs. player 3 goals and an assists in 5 EHL games.
It’s the Canadian-born 19-year old’s 2nd year in the league and if can continue to produce may either move on to a higher tier junior hockey or find his way to a nice college commitment.
Columbus Blue Jackets‘ 6th year center Alexander Wennberg(10) gets a brand new 6-year deal worth $4.9 million AAV to extend his work with the team.
After a brief 6 AHL game reassignment early as a rookie to then affiliate Springfield Falcons to put his scoring game in order, he rebounded effectively.
He finished his first season with 64 NHL games played, upping goals scored to 4 and assists markedly to 16 after the demotion, while also dropping a previous -28 rating to a -19.
His sophomore effort doubled those first campaign totals to 8 goals and 32 assists, while only appearing in one more game (69).
The very decently-sized power forward really started to show his worth as a third year skater, notching 13 goals and a team leading 46 assists in a career high 80 games.
At only 22-years old, he is likely to continue to increase his offensive output as he grows and continues to become stronger in front of the net.
6th year defenseman Jerome Leduc(5) decides to switch it up for a third time in short order, signing a one-year deal with Dornbirner EC Bulldogs of Erstebank Eishockey Liga.
He started last season with HC Pardubice of the Czech Extraliga but didn’t seem to click so transfer to the EIHL agreeing to play out the calendar for Belfast Giants.
The 6’2″ 192 lbs. blue liner clicked well in the United Kingdom top league scoring 5 goals and 7 assists in 11 games, then added another 6 points in 4 playoff matchups.
That should be no surprise considering he did lead all d-men in the QMJHL in goals (28) and points (84) in his final year with Rimouski Oceanic.
He was also given defenseman of the year honors.
Originally a Buffalo Sabres‘ 3rd round pick in the 2010 draft (#68 overall), he was signed to a three year entry level contract and was kept under contract for an additional look, skating with affiliate Rochester Americans but was ultimately left unqualified by Ottawa Senators, who obtained his rights in a minor league deal before the trade deadline.
Almost ironically he posted his best totals in 2015/2016 with 11 goals and 26 points.
The 25-year old could just be get started, situated but will need to continue to produce.
