Category: Europe

18Jul

Mathew Santos (16)

Posted in College Hockey Player, Europe, Juniors, Minor League Deal | Leave a comment

Maine Mariners bring back last season’s leading scorer, 3rd year right wing Mathew Santos(16) after scoring a handy 26 goals and 33 assists with a +3 rating.

After 4 years in the OHL, the 6′ 183 lbs. forward played a single season for Toledo Walleye as a rookie, but then took a season off before departing for Ryerson University Rams, where he spent the next three years though only played his 1st two there and maybe got COVID knocked for his 3rd.

It will be zero surprise to see the 27-year old Etobicoke, ON native add to his ECHL totals.

For a 2nd straight season he blows the lid off scoring with 16 goals and 28 assists in 38 games, while getting loaned up to Milwaukee Admirals for 17 AHL games.

He will try to take his game up a notch, signing for 2023/2024 in Slovak Extraliga with HC Dukla Michalovce.

An amazing season, scoring 22 goals and 14 assists through 46 games, then adds another 8 points in 6 playoff matchups with a +7, but he oddly signs in DEL2 for 2024/2025 with Ravensburg Towerstars.

17Jul

Sam Jardine (21)

Posted in College Hockey Player, Europe, Juniors, Minor League Deal, NHL Draft Pick | Leave a comment

7th year defenseman Sam Jardine(21) leaves for overseas hockey a 2nd time, this time signing with Bratislava Capitals of IceHL for 2021/2022.

Originally a 6th round pick by Chicago Blackhawks in 2011 (#169 overall), he initially signed a one-year minor league deal with affiliate Rockford IceHogs to stay in the system but was sent further down for most of his rookie campaign.

The almost deceptively built 6’2″ 209 lbs. d-man has played 228 ECHL games and won a pair of Kelly Cups: 2017 and most notably 2019 in a great run with Newfoundland Growlers.

He’s also had 4 AHL contracts and played 71 games.

The Lacombe, AB native spent 2019/2020 overseas with Cardiff Devils of the EIHL, not scoring a load of points (15) but was a nice +24 rating for on-ice accountability.

He decided to spend 2020/2021 a little closer to home after confirming a return to England, and, inked with Greenville Swamp Rabbits, where he exploded for a personal best 41 assists and 44 points in 67 games.

The 29-year old, former 3-year, 10+ assist man at Ohio State University Buckeyes will likely do well in Austria’s 6 nation league.

As said, he excelled pretty well with a pair of goals and 4 assists in 14 games with a +2 rating to gain a look from HIFK of Liiga, so will head to Finland.

For 2022/2023, he went to skate in England’s top league for another spell with Cardiff Devils and although he may have not scored a ton of points, was an accountable +7.

He decides to return to the states for 2023/2024 and will come back to the Swamp Rabbits, where he recorded his greatest assist total.

Spending a bit more time on loan to Calgary Wranglers, he finishes up the year and has decided to return to Austria to sign with Fehervar AV19 for 2024/2025.

17Jul

Greg Moro (3)

Posted in College Hockey Player, Europe, Juniors, Minor League Deal | Leave a comment

Undrafted defenseman Greg Moro(3) takes a pair of seasons under AHL contract with Stockton Heat, but spending the majority of his time, 44 ECHL games with affiliate Kansas City Mavericks to a new adventure overseas, signing with SaiPa of Liiga for 2022/2023.

The 6’4″ 205 lbs. blue liner did get a goal in each of his years up with the contract club and even connected with 6 assists in 13 games last frame to likely get him the look in Finland’s top league.

He spent a very productive and highly accountable four seasons at Clarkson University Golden Knights, leaving a +28 rating.

The 26-year old from Edmonton, AB will definitely need to continue to elevate his game in this tough hockey, but could easily blend in nicely as well.

He actually spends the better part of two seasons in Finland’s highest hockey before switching to Czech Extraliga late last season with HC Kometa Brno.

For 2024/2025, he spots probably the best decision for him moving forward and signs with Steinbach Black Wings Linz of IceHL.

16Jul

Teddy Blueger (53)

Posted in College Hockey Player, Europe, Free Agent Signing, Juniors, NHL Draft Pick | Leave a comment

7th year, Latvian center Teddy Blueger(53) gets a trade from 2nd round draft club Pittsburgh Penguins, where he played his 1st 250 NHL games and 179 in the AHL.

The 6′ 185 lbs. forward was showing disintegrating numbers in the current frame, probably leading to his relocation to Vegas Golden Knights, but may have found a bit of a gem to get dealt to.

He’s twice a 20+ goal scorer in the minors and worth 10+ assists 3 going on 4 times in the big league.

The Minnesota State University-Mankato Mavericks‘ 4-year played was good for 10+ goals twice and 20+ assists twice.

At 28-years old, it’s probably nice for him to get a new start.

He starts to ignite his scoring some, submitting for 2 goals and 4 assists in 18 games, then adding another 2 points in 6 playoff matchups, en route to a 2023 Stanley Cup Championship.

He gets his name etched on the trophy and is an unrestricted free agent signs a 1-year deal with the rebuilding forever Vancouver Canucks worth some $1.9M AAV.

Scoring a new best 22 assists and career tying 28 points, he is rewarded to stay in a Canucks‘ jersey for 2 more seasons at $1.8M AAV.

16Jul

Filip Engaras (16)

Posted in College Hockey Player, Europe, Juniors, Minor League Deal, NHL Draft Pick | Leave a comment

Swedish-born, rookie center Filip Engaras(16) was recently flipped in a trade from 1st contract club, Bakersfield Condors to out of conference team, Utica Comets for the remainder of 2023.

The 6’1″ 201 lbs. forward actually spent more time with affiliate Fort Wayne Komets, appearing in 23 ECHL games with good scoring clips and on ice accountability, but does look to be headed towards the AHL to start with his new squad.

Originally an Edmonton Oilers‘ 6th round pick in the 2020 draft (#169 overall), but only signed a minor league contract to start his pro career.

A graduate of 4 years at University Of New Hampshire Wildcats, he definitely was able to connect for points as a junior and senior.

After 53 games last season, scoring 6 goals and 6 assists with a +2 rating, he is signed for a 1-year contract extension to stay a Comets.

15Jul

Matt O’Connor (29)

Posted in College Hockey Player, Europe, Juniors, Minor League Deal, NHL Draft Pick | Leave a comment

8th year net minder Matt O’Connor(29) gets a new, 3rd deal to stay with HK Nitra for 2022/2023.

In 32 games, the massive 6’6″ 205 lbs. goalie has a 2.35 GAA and .928 SV%.

He signed his 1st pro contract after an explosive junior year at Boston University Terriers, posting a 25-4-4 record in 35 NCAA Division 1 games with Ottawa Senators, but only stuck with them for 2 sessions.

The Toronto, ON native next signed with Nashville Predators, but struggled.

He was able to lift his performance in the next frame with Wheeling Nailers and would next jump and sign overseas with Rodovre Mighty Bulls, but still seemed to have troubles in Metal Ligaen.

The 3o-year old will likely stay put and continue to excel in Slovakia.

As is the case for a few players, who have been around for a little while, he signs on for 2023/2024 with SC Csikszereda of Erste Liga, so maybe their giving their international players some money.

He does very ok through 21 starts, but may yearns for the type of hockey he 1st came over for, so signs Ligue Magnus for 2024/2025 with Les Ducs d’Angers that should equal a strong signing for both parties.

15Jul

Ryan Barrow (79)

Posted in College Hockey Player, Europe, Juniors | Leave a comment

Undrafted University Of Denver Pioneers‘ 2022 NCAA Division 1 Champs‘ graduate right wing Ryan Barrow(79) signs with Manchester Storm for 2022/2023.

He scored a college best 8 goals and 13 assists with a +19 rating as a senior.

The 6’2″ 183 lbs. forward from Banff, AB took an interesting route through junior hockey, 1st skating a pair of frames with local Banff Bears of the HJHL before moving on to 2 BCHL sessions for Langley Rivermen, where he really popped scoring in his 2nd frame with the team.

It would seem the decently sized rookie will find open space to score in a league such as the EIHL.

Coming off a fairly successful frame, scoring 12 goals and 20 assists in 30 games, he up and signs with rivals Cardiff Devils for 2023/2024.

After 50 games, scoring 13 goals and 19 assists with a +6 rating, he likes where he is and re-signs to stay a Devils.

13Jul

Wayne Letourneau (8)

Posted in College Hockey Player, Europe, Juniors | Leave a comment

4th year defenseman Wayne Letourneau(8) skates maybe his 2nd real pro season, signing with Diables Rouges de Briancon of Ligue Magnus for 2024/2025.

The 6′ 181 lbs. blue liner’s other campaign was 55 ECHL games for Adirondack Thunder, scoring a more than not bad 3 goals and 18 assists with a +4 rating.

He played small stretches of LNAH, except last frame skated mostly with Riviere-du-Loup 3L, scoring quite well with 6 goals and 21 assists in 35 games.

From 3 years at College Champlain-Lennoxville Cougars, potting 34 assists in 35 games in his final year, he has worked hard for every minute.

13Jul

Brent Beaudoin (12)

Posted in College Hockey Player, Europe, Juniors, Minor League Deal | Leave a comment

Undrafted, 3rd year center Brent Beaudoin(12) not surprisingly jumps ship after 2 ECHL seasons with Worcester Railers to a great opportunity in Slovak Extraliga, signing to HK Poprad for 2023/2024.

The 5’11” 181 lbs. forward scored a career best 20 goals and 35 assists with a +5 rating in 71 games.

Where he is going will be tougher hockey for the Brown University Bears‘ senior, assistant captain.

From Londonderry, NH, the 27-year old played mostly tier 3 juniors to earn his way up.

After 7 games in Slovakia with only 1 assist, he has a change of heart and signs up with Dundee Stars to play in the EIHL for the remainder of the frame.

He takes some ok stats, 8 goals and 20 assists in 43 games, but decides to move on and signs with Anglet Hormadi Pays Basque of Ligue Magnus for 2024/2025, where we think he does very well.