7th year net minder Olivier Roy(35) switches things up after two campaigns in Erstebank Eishockey Liga to DEL2 signing with Eispiraten Crimmitschau for 2017/2018.
He helped HDD Olimpija Ljubljana win the 2016 Slovenian Championship in his first year outside of North American hockey posting an incredible 0.29 GAA and .988 SV%.
It wasn’t his first title though as he picked up the 2014 Kelly Cup with Alaska Aces after a trade sent him from draft team Edmonton Oilers to Calgary Flames‘ system, where he was reassigned down to the ECHL.
He spent one more season in the league with Idaho Steelheads before deciding to pursue opportunities elsewhere.
The recently turned 26-year old should do well in Germany’s tier 2 league and might even be in line to win a third champs trophy.
Undrafted 3rd year right wing Colin Markison(25) leaves a pair of seasons with Bridgeport Sound Tigers signing a one-year deal to skate for Texas Stars in 2017/2018.
The 5’10” 185 lbs. forward played only 28 AHL games last year due to injuries but was never reassigned like he was as a rookie, when he split his time with Kansas City Mavericks.
In 24 ECHL games through 2015/2016 he scored 10 goals and 7 assists with a mammoth +18 rating.
He was said to be impressive at New York Islanders‘ training camp, where he played in four exhibition matchups and was a late cut on a tryout agreement.
This uptick as a pro seems to outpace what he did in four years at University Of Vermont.
It was only as a senior when he produced decently grabbing 9 goals and 16 assists in 40 games.
If the 25-year old can stay healthy, he should be able to do well with his new club and will likely earn himself a call-up to Dallas Stars‘ camp.
Undrafted 2nd year defenseman Josh Atkinson(22) had himself quite a rookie season with Atlanta Gladiators.
The 6′ 194 lbs. blue liner scored 10 goals and had a team leading 40 assists in 66 ECHL games, which was equal to all his helper marks through 4 years at University of Alaska-Fairbanks and his single season tallies were slightly better than he achieve in all of college hockey.
He received a 2-game loan up to Chicago Wolves of the AHL but was unable to connect for any points.
The player who will turn 25-years old as the next campaign starts gets scooped up by San Antonio Rampage, who seem to be grabbing most of the best skaters from the lower league and offering them a chance to play at a higher level.
There was a 9th year defenseman Paul Postma(14) sighting at Boston Bruins‘ captains’ practice, which is the first time he’s been out of a Winnipeg Jets‘ uniform in 8 seasons.
This number includes two years with Atlanta Thrashers, the team that selected him in 7th round of the 2007 draft (#205 overall).
He signed a one-year one-way deal on the opening day of unrestricted free agency to change up the scenery after posting a career high 13 assists and 14 points in 65 NHL games, his first full campaign in the big league.
The 28-year old will have to earn his spot on the black n’ gold but looks like to fit into a top 6 role.
15th year net minder Joel Martin(49) doesn’t know the word quit.
He’s appeared in games for no less than 16 teams across 7 different leagues, including only one overseas, Metal Ligaen.
The 6’2″ 185 lbs. goaltender even played 3 contests in 2003 for the old WCHL Bakersfield Condors after finishing up juniors in the WHL.
He enters his 9th season with the current ECHL Kalamazoo Wings and older versions of the IHL and 2 years in the UHL in his sophomore and third campaigns.
His 2o7 wins and 21 shutouts both leading stats in team history.
He’s suited up for one NHL game with New York Islanders but didn’t play.
The 35-year old when the new season starts is a pillar of persistence and endurance.
Whenever he decides to hang up the pads, he’ll become an amazing goalie coach.
12th year defenseman Olivier Magnan(2) signs on for a 6th year with Dornbirner EC of EBEL, a team he’s been with since 2012/2013, his second season away from North American hockey.
Originally a New Jersey Devils‘ 5th round pick in the 2006 draft (#148 overall), he spent the first five years of his pro career in their system, mostly playing games for Lowell Devils with one campaign with Albany Devils, when they moved before he was let go as an unrestricted free agent.
It was almost a bit ironic that he skated 18 NHL games in 2010/2011 before being released (0 points, -4 rating).
Maybe the thought was they didn’t want to go to arbitration or negotiate a new deal.
The big 6’2″ 201 lbs. blue liner left for Serie A joining Val Pusteria, where he posted his best scoring totals with 5 goals and 21 assists in 39 games.
At 31-years old, he has settled nicely into a place he’s comfortable and may just continue with the squad until he’s ready to return to Sherbrook, QC.
2017/2018 with be Boston Bruins‘ captain Zdeno Chara‘s 20th professional hockey season.
He is 40-years old.
It’s being reported the 6’9″ 250 lbs. Slovak wants to continue as his 7-year contract extension is set to expire.
Tough to say if the black ‘n gold keeps him in the fold.
His game has definitely not trailed off.
He still logs a ton of minutes as a punishing defender and scores a good amount of points to help out up front.
12th year net minder Anton Khudobin(35) with the nice save at Boston Bruins‘ captains’ practice.
12th year left wing Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond(34) hangs up the gloves after a long career of battles.
He is credited with 188 fighting majors in 4 different leagues but only actually lead the AHL in penalty minutes one season, 2010/2011 with 334 playing for Albany Devils.
The 6′ 218 lbs. heavyweight has been under a big league contract for each of his pro seasons, except as a rookie (2005/2006), when he split time with Adirondack Frostbite and Albany River Rats.
He has 41 NHL games for Pittsburgh Penguins, Calgary Flames and most notably New Jersey Devils but spent most of his time playing 489 for a farm club recording an eye-popping 1820 minutes in the box.
The 32-year old must like that region of upper state New York and has quickly switched gears to doing real estate in the market.
