Merrimack College Warriors‘ junior right wing Luke Weilandt(44) has seen his playing time slip, so he elects to leave school and sign a pro contract with Deggendorfer SC of Germany3.
The 5’10” 181 lbs. forward had 3 goals as a freshman and 5 assists in his sophomore year, which were both college bests.
From Northbrook, IL, the 23-year old actual is of some German descent, so him heading over here maybe makes sense.
Curry College Colonels‘ center Timmy Kent(10) is currently tied for tops in NCAA Division 3 hockey scoring with 10 goals and 16 assists in 11 games, which has already surpassed his previous helpers’ high, but he still has a ways to go to reach the 21 strikes he had as a junior.
Injury forced him to the sidelines for his entire last frame at school, but he got healthy to sign a 1st pro deal with Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs that saw him score pretty effectively SPHL to get a loan up to Iowa Heartlanders with a 3 goal and 4 assists showing in 22 ECHL games.
For 2025/2026, he was set to return, but a trade sends him to rivals Fayettesville Marksmen, where we look for him to score well again and move up.
Well, he again scores well in the league, worth 3 goals and 8 assists in 14 games with a +7 rating, but once again is on the move and goes to Birmingham Bulls, who can use him.
He is scoring decently with his new club, but maybe wants something a little more, different and signs with EHC Konigsbrunn of Germany4.
In 2 games, he got an assist.
We did a Twitter interview with him that speaks for the rest:
Question 1: You’re from Parkland, FL, yet somehow decided to attend Lawrence Academy up here in Groton for high school. How did that happen and why?
TK: I decided to look at Prep Schools because the exposure playing in Florida wasn’t great at the time and for Florida players the options to continue playing competitively and be seen by colleges were either AAA or prep schools in New England. I decided education wise and for hockey that would be a good path to take. I decided on Lawrence because of the culture and reputation their program had at the time. I loved my time at Lawrence, we had some great teams and I made a lot of lifetime friends there.
Question 2: You stuck around MA to next play USPHL/NCDC junior hockey for Junior Bruins, but were maybe traded to Syracuse after the first month or so and played a little while with them before…heading to University Of New England Nor’easters. What was up with that? How did that come about? And talk about your experience with that team.
TK: At that time I felt ready to go to school and UNE had a good program and I had some friends there that liked the school and were really enjoying their time there and they kind of swayed me in that direction. My experience there was a good one and I met a lot of great people I still keep in touch with.
Question 3: You would decide to return to junior hockey for another session and signed maybe a slight level up in the NAHL with at least New England-based Maine Nordiques and shot assists out of a cannon for the team. Why did you leave school and what made you head to play in the NAHL. Did they somehow draft you, as you said you wanted to be eligible?
TK: I went back to Juniors because I felt like it was the right move get my confidence back. I enjoyed my time at UNE and met unbelievable people I’m still close with. But hockey wise it didn’t seem like I would get the opportunity there and I still had a year left of junior eligibility. I ended up in Maine because of Matt Pinchevsky who was the assistant Coach for the Nordiques at the time, now he’s the Head Coach. We had a close relationship that stemmed from our Florida roots and I told him the situation I was in and he opened up a spot for me, which I’ll be forever grateful for.
Question 4: After another 3rd frame in juniors, you were ready to head back to school? Why Curry?
TK: I chose Curry because they are a Boston based school who is in the CCC conference which is one of the better leagues in the country at the D3 level. I knew they always had really good teams here and the team culture and cohesiveness was outstanding when I came to visit. Coach Pinchevsky who I spoke about was a Curry graduate and we thought that it was the best fit.
Question 5: You’re currently tied for the scoring lead in D3 hockey. Congratulations on the hard work done paying off. You have a new career high in assists with 15, but do you think you’ll match those 21 goals set last season where you’re at now? I’m thinking it’s possible.
TK: I’m not sure if I’ll match that total but my production is a testament to my line mates and how there good they’ve been this year. My main focus is just helping Curry win however I can. We have a great team this year and a real shot at winning a CCC championship and more so we’re all excited about that challenge and looking for the second half.
Question 6 and our final one: You’re listed as 4 years in college, yet are only considered a sophomore. Can you explain that?
TK: Haha I think I’m listed as a junior, but because I was at UNE for a half a semester credit wise I’m still a Junior. I think eligibility wise I am as well.
Thank you to Timmy Kent for answering our questions. We hope you enjoyed reading our feature.
UMass Minutemen senior, captain Bobby Trivigno(41) had himself a career year, scoring all new bests 17 goals, 26 assists for 43 points with a +20 rating, as his team pushes towards Hockey East playoffs.
The 5’8″ 162 lbs. undrafted fleet foot forward has to be on many a team’s list to have a look at as 2022 unrestricted free agency opens up.
He had solid runs through USHS-Prep, then one season of USHL for Waterloo Blackhawks before committing.
The 23-year old possesses a lot of those skills you can easily see on display and plenty of intangibles that comes from being a team player.
He has a decent pair of AHL frames with Hartford Wolf Pack, while signed to a 2-year NHL entry level deal with New York Rangers, but spies an opportunity in the SHL and signs another 2-year contract with Brynas IF for 2024/2025.
Doing pretty well scoring, he is definitely going well with this club, as they give him a 3-year extension to continue with Brynas IF.
2nd year Merrimack College Warriors‘ graduate center Max Newton(10) looks to be on his way to blowing out any scoring he was able to managed at University Of Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks having already pocketed 7 goals and 8 assists in 14 games with a +3 rating to start the 2021/2022 session.
He was a good scorer through his first two years at the BCHL, but really popped on a shift to a new team, Cowichan Valley Capitals with 25 goals and 34 assists in 58 games.
The 5’10” 184 lbs. 25-year old will be an interesting watch to see what might materialize for this skater that plays with full-on compete next.
When his team pushed Hockey East playoffs as far as they would go, he quickly turned his attention to signing an spc with Worcester Railers to finish off the 2021/2022 season.
In his debut, he records an assist, then follows it up with his 1st ECHL goal in the next game to match his Merrimack pal he signed contracts with.
After scoring 3 goals and 5 assists in 13 games and getting a 2 game loan up to Providence Bruins, notching an assist, he signs for his official rookie session with rival Reading Royals, where scoring will continue to come for one of the hardest workers out there.
He exploded scoring in the league last season to the tune of 34 goals and 38 assists in 67 games, then added another 10 points in 10 playoff games.
For 2023/2024, the Vancouver, BC will take it up a notch, signing with HK Dukla Michalovce of Slovak Extraliga.
After scoring decently, he leaves for DEL2 and signs with Krefeld Pinguin, where his stats explode beyond goal-per-game numbers and he is doing it again for a 2nd straight season to earn himself a contract to stay 2 more through 2027/2028.
5th year right wing Jake Smith(24) doesn’t seem to be bothered finding the net, regardless of the ECHL team he may be paired with at the moment.
The 5’10” 170 lbs. took a bit of a weird path, starting with 2 QMJHL seasons, then switching to the OHL and heading to a year at Carlton University Ravens before turning pro.
He started as a rookie in the SPHL, but would eventually split for a short run in Germany3 with Starbulls Rosenheim, a team he oddly played a year of youth hockey with, considering his birth place is Pickering, ON.
Returning, he skated the COVID-busted season in the league and would do well enough to score a look in the higher league.
He started with Kansas City Mavericks, but failed to connect and took up with Iowa Heartlanders and the scoring wasn’t immediate, but eventually pulled in for 25 goals and 25 assists in 52 games.
There’s little doubt he can score in the league, but could definitely use more on ice accountability.
The 26-year old seems to have found a good spot with Reading Royals, good for 7 goals and 5 assists in 19 games, but a lowly -12.
It takes a little while, but he signs a 1-year deal to stay in a Royals’ jersey for 2024/2025.
With some good scoring, 16 goals and 21 assists, he decides to head back for another venture and signs with Aalborg Pirates of Metal Ligaen.
He’s a more than point-per-game, so will head to Mestis and signs with JoKP
Norfolk Admirals‘ 3rd year defenseman Lordanthony Grissom(3) won the 2022 SPHL Championship with Peoria Rivermen after completing 4 years, twice as captain at Aurora University Spartans.
He actually scored points in that league, raising his profile to score ECHL contracts moving forward.
The very large 6’4″ 229 lbs. blue liner had a league career best 3 goals and 7 assists last season for Greenville Swamp Rabbits.
From Detroit, MI, the 28-year old has 1 assist in 3 games in the current frame and could find his way to scoring more points when out there.
In 16 games, he only posts 1 assists, but is a +2 rating.
He is released and claimed off waivers by Jacksonville Icemen, who hope to do something with his great size.
Not really with a lot of luck last season, split between a couple of teams, Iowa Heartlanders see something they think they can turn into more of a scoring factor and bring him in for 2025/2026.
Released after 22 games with 3 assists, he is picked back up by Greenville Swamp Rabbits, where he scored his best numbers.
Western New England University Golden Bears‘ 6’5″ 225 lbs. left wing Nolan Dawson(9) was at Curry College Colonels, playing a rough average of 20 games per frame, but just as he did after his freshman year at Saint Mary’s University Cardinals, he decides to switch things up and arrives for his senior session.
He has 2 goals and 2 assists in 11 games, which could see him turn new college best numbers, assuredly in tallies.
From Airdrie, AB, he played mostly 4 years of junior hockey in 3 different northern leagues, but only twice made it work for extended stays.
We don’t think it out of the question for him to add a year of eligibility, where he is.
As a graduate, he scores a college tying best 6 goals and adds a new high 9 assists and 15 points.
He takes these totals to a 1st pro deal and signs with Evansville Thunderbolts, where his size could help him score as a pro in the SPHL.
Officially signing for his rookie season in the FPHL, he is scoring well, but decides to head for Finland’s tier 3 league, Suomi-sarja signing with Muik Hockey for the rest of 2025/2026.
7th year defenseman Nolan Zajac(44) leaves a pair of seasons in the SHL for a new European adventure in 2022/2023, joining DEL‘s Grizzlys Wolfsburg.
He spent only a pair of seasons mostly in the ECHL scoring pretty big after graduating University Of Denver twice ascending to 20+ assists before deciding to head overseas.
The 5’10” 185 lbs. blue liner maybe started a little low in Sweden’s tier 2 Allsvenskan, where he detonated the scoresheet for most assists and most points by a d-man for IK Oskarshamn.
With his new German team, he manages 8 goals and 25 assists in 48 games with a +14 rating, then adds another 7 assists in a playoff run to earn himself another year to stay put.
After 2 good frames with the same team, he looks elsewhere to rivals Augsburger Panthers f0r 2024/2025.
He continues to move along for 2025/2026, signing with HK Spisska Nova Ves, but maybe with only 3 assists in 17 games, he looks for a little more and leaves for Bruleurs De Loups of Ligue Magnus.
UMass-Lowell Riverhawks‘ Latvian-born, graduate goaltender Gustavs Davis Grigals(31) signs a 1st pro deal with Milwaukee Admirals for 2023/2024, but has joined the club for the Calder Cup playoff push, although not likely to see action.
The 6’2″ 196 lbs. net minder had a 12-9-2 record with a 2.05 GAA and .924 SV%, including 2 shutouts.
He was better than any previous season he played at University Of Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks, but did have 1 outstanding run through the NAHL juniors with Shreveport Mudbugs.
The 24-year old should be a standout performer as a rookie.
Parent club, Nashville Predators step in as the season is wrapping up and sign him for the current frame to an NHL contract, in a move we can only feel has implications for next season moving forward.
He is mostly sent to play in the ECHL for his rookie season and he decides to move back closer to home, signing with HK Dukla Trencin of Slovak Extraliga, where we think he re-finds his game.
After 5 games, he will switch things up and move on to Finland’s top hockey, Liiga signing with SaiPa for 2024/2025.
We do think it gels for him here.
In 15 games, he has a 8-6-1 record with a 2.96 GAA and .899 SV%, which is good enough for him to earn an invite for another season, 2026/2027 to stay at SaiPa.
Lake Superior State University Lakers‘ French-born junior center Louis Boudon(40) finds himself tied for the lead in NCAA Division 1 scoring with a handy 20 points in 14 games.
He looks to easily eclipse marks he set as a sophomore and a freshman, although he had 21 assists in his first year.
The 5’11” 181 lbs. forward skated two seasons for Northeast Generals, notching better than point per game numbers after a run lighting it up for Metro Jets in the NA3HL, got a NAHL tryout that produced a couple of goals and a deal.
He played all of his youth hockey back home and it will definitely be interesting to see who scoops on the future NHL unrestricted free agent.
Upon completing 4 years at college, he signs a 1st pro contract, leaving a 2nd season as team captain, an ato with Laval Rocket.
There’s not much time left to impress, but you can bet he’ll be constantly looking to connect as soon as he arrives in the AHL.
He doesn’t stick in Canada and signs with Iowa Wild, but splits time with Iowa Heartlanders and gets 1 goal and 2 assists in 3 ECHL games with a +7 rating.
In the next season, he is re-signed, but spends most of his time down, scoring 18 goals and 28 assists in 56 games on a non-playoff team.
The listed as Gernoble, FRA-born skater decides to head off for another pro hockey look, agreeing to terms with Nybro Vikings IF of HockeyAllsvenskan.
After a decent 47 game session in Sweden’s 2nd tier league, he returns to sign with Atlanta Gladiators and has popped scoring to the tune of 12 goals and 18 assists in 25 ECHL games and maybe gets a little antsy for a bit more and signs in Liiga with Jukurit, where he will be duly challenged for the rest of 2025/2026.
He will also skate the Olympics on the French national team.
