Newfoundland Growlers‘ rookie center Grant Cruikshank(19) has really ignited his scoring when he was reassigned by AHL contract club, Toronto Marlies.
In 35 ECHL games, he has 21 goals and 22 assists with a +9 rating.
Undrafted, he cycled through 3 colleges, his 1st 3 years at Colorado College Tigers, then 1 apiece with University Of Minnesota Golden Gophers and a graduate frame for St. Cloud State University Huskies.
He twice had 10+ goals, but exploded for 23 in his final year.
From Delafield, WI, the 25-year old won a BCHL Championship in his 1st junior season and is turning out to be quite the pro.
With his team going belly up, he went back to his contract club, but didn’t figure in any playoff games.
He will need a new deal for 2024/2025.
American International College Yellowjackets‘ graduate right wing Austen Long(44) takes a college high 38 games played, 8 goals, 8 assists and 16 points with a 5-year +21 rating to a 1st pro contract with Fayetteville Marksmen, where through 1 playoff game, he has yet to score a point, but we have to think he’s right on the cusp.
The 5’11” 175 lbs. forward skated 4 years of juniors and won a 2017 USHL Clark Cup Championship with Chicago Steel.
From Omaha, NE, the 26-year old is likely just getting started.
Miami University (Ohio) Redhawks‘ senior center P.J. Fletcher(8) scored a college best 11 goals last season, but had 16 assists and 24 points as a sophomore transfer from Quinnipiac University, where he attended as the ECAC chose to shutdown next session due to COVID and he went to be captain for Dubuque Fighting Saints and scored 16 goals and 18 assist in 44 USHL games before heading to his new school.
The 6’2″ 201 lbs. forward from Dana Point, CA played his original junior hockey in the BCHL, where he really tilting scoring in the playoffs for 14 points in 18 games.
He signed a 1st pro contract, an ato with Florida Everblades and in 3 ECHL games has yet to connect, but could very well be a playoff contributor.
University Of Denver Pioneers twice NCAA Division 1 champion, junior defenseman Shai Buium(8) leaves a season on the table to sign a 3-year NHL entry level deal with Detroit Red Wings that will see him on an ato with affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins to get started.
He was selected in the 2nd round of the 2021 draft (#36 overall).
The big 6’4″ 210 lbs. blue liner had all college bests last season with 7 goals and 29 assists for 36 points with a +33 rating in 43 games.
He was chosen after his only USHL session for Sioux City Musketeers.
From San Diego, CA, the 21-year old is still pretty young, but likely just wants to get started with the next step.
Merrimack College Warriors‘ graduate defenseman Liam Dennison(8) played a college high 35 games with 2 goals and 7 assists for 9 points and takes it to a 1st pro contract with Utah Grizzlies, who were just bounced from their postseason bid.
He played 7 ECHL games with no points and a -4 rating.
The small 5’9″ 172 lbs. d-man played 2 USHL seasons with Youngstown Phantoms, scoring a junior best 4 goals and 21 assists with a +5 in his 2nd frame.
From Manotick, ON, the 25-year may sign where he is or look elsewhere as a future rookie.
Saint Lawrence University Saints‘ senior captain defenseman Luc Salem(5) skated a college best 38 games last season before signing with Utah Grizzlies upon finishing up ECAC tournament play.
The 5’10” 181 lbs. blue liner had his best college year scoring as a junior, hitting 10 goals and 17 assists in 37 games with a +12 rating.
He was definitely able to load up assists through 2 NAHL junior seasons.
From Los Angeles, CA, the 24-year will need a new deal moving forward.
Quinnipiac University Bobcats‘ sophomore left wing Sam Lipkin(38) forgoes 2 years of school to sign a 3-year NHL entry level deal with draft team (round 7, 2021, #223 overall) Arizona Coyotes after he scored a college high 15 goals in 39 games last season.
The 6’2″ 192 lbs. forward had an assist in his AHL debut.
He scored huge in his 2nd USHL season as captain with Chicago Steel, but won the Clark Cup Championship in his 1st with the team.
From Philadelphia, PA, the 21-year old is likely ready for some playoff hockey with affiliate Tuscon Roadrunners.
Johnstown Tomahawks‘ 2nd year, captain center Zachary Aben(12) takes a junior best 20 goals and 33 assists in 54 NAHL games with a +10 rating to a 2024/2025 commit at Stonehill College Seahawks.
The 5’9″ 181 lbs forward has always been a goal scorer through youth hockey.
From Shavertown, PA, the 20-year old is likely already itching to get it started.
UMass-Lowell Riverhawks‘ senior center, assistant captain Zach Kaiser(23) had a college career best 8 goals and 8 assists in 30 games before turning pro with Trois Riviere Lions upon finishing up Hockey East last season.
The 6’1″ 181 lbs. forward has decently high scoring frames in AJHL juniors.
From Orangeville, ON, the 24-year old signs for 2023/2024 with EV Lindau of Germany3, where we think he will do exceedingly well.
He blows up scoring to the tune of 27 goals and 28 assists in 47 games to earn a contract up from DEL2, where he will join EC Bad Nauheim for 2024/2025.
Holy Cross College Crusaders‘ senior right wing Tyler Ghirardosi(34) will take on a year of eligibility at the rivals’ house, Sacred Heart University Pioneers for a graduate program starting 2024/2025.
The 6’3″ 185 lbs. forward scored a college best 14 goals and 13 assists last season in 39 games with a +13 rating.
From Montrose, BC, he played 3 BCHL sessions for Trail Smoke Eaters.
We fully expect the one-time freshman at Quinnipiac University Bobcats, who played no games 2020/2021 to continue to connect for more points as he goes.
