Category: Europe

18Aug

Wayne Simpson (21)

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wayne-simpson

Providence Bruins‘ undrafted 4th year right wing Wayne Simpson(21) is having himself a career year and that’s after only being with the team on a pto to start.

Signed to an spc one month in, he already has 7 goals and 11 assists with a +10 rating in 22 AHL games, which is only one tally off his season high set last year with Portland Pirates and may even eclipse the 28 helpers he dished in 2015/2016.

The 5’11” 194 lbs. forward was a solid performer on the stat sheet in his final three years at Union College grabbing 30+ points per campaign and a pair of NCAA/ECAC Championships in 2012 and 2013.

He started his pro career with two seasons for South Carolina Stingrays playing 131 ECHL games, scoring 22 goals as a rookie and a best 39 assists, 55 points as a sophomore skater and a +19 rating.

In an almost unprecedented move, when postseason rolled around he blew the lid off the score sheet grabbing a league high 25 assists, 38 points and +20 rating losing the 2015 Kelly Cup Championship in game 7.

At 27-years old a guy that’s had to continuously prove himself and earn every inch he’s got looks to just be getting started and may even play his way into a first big league contract for 2017/2018.

After a 6th season with ERC Ingolstadt of continued scoring and some 276 games in DEL, he decides at age 35, it’s time to adopt a new role.

17Aug

Matt Salhany (2)

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6th year right wing Matt Salhany(2) returns on a deal with Jacksonville Icemen for 2022/2023 after scoring big for Sonderjyske in 2 years (one shortened) and 41 games in Metal Ligaen.

He left after running up some good totals for Adirondack Thunder, scoring 25 goals and 26 assists in 62 ECHL games.

The 5’10” 179 lbs. forward has mostly come to life as a pro.

He only ever did 7 goals and 13 points in 34 games for University Of Alabama-Huntsville Chargers as a senior captain.

The 29-year old should find some really good scoring footing with his new club and recently competed in the debut 3Ice Hockey Tournament and came out winners on Team Trottier.

From Warwick, RI, he scores big in a 2nd frame for Aalborg Pirates, where he won the 2023 league championship in his 1st year with the team.

For 2024/2025, he heads to Ligue Magnus, signing with Spartiates de Marseille.

He basically a point-per-game player last season in France and for 2025/2026, he will return home, signing a 1-year deal with Adirondack Thunder.

17Aug

Gregor Jennersjo (2)

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South Shore Kings‘ 1st year Swedish-born defenseman Gregor Jennersjo(2) put up a mighty 39 assists last season in the USPHL/NCDC after a largely unsuccessful year scoring in another league.

The 6′ 187 lbs. blue liner commits to Gustavus Adolfus College Golden Gusties for 2025/2026.

He came over early to Canada for high school.

Almost oddly, he appeared in 1 Division3 game back home before juniors.

The 20-year old will do well at his school.

16Aug

Austin Albrecht (27)

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Rookie left wing Austin Albrecht(27) did make a quick appearance last year for 1 ECHL game with Wichita Thunder, but everything was pretty much up in the air, especially for newer players in 2020/2021.

For 2021/2022, he branches out entirely, heading to Germany3 on a try-out that easily turned into a 1-year deal with Hochstadter EC, where he’s connected for 3 goals and 6 assists in just 6 games.

The 6′ 196 lbs. forward committed to his first school UMass Minutemen after a 2nd season of point-per-game production numbers for Wichita Wildcats of the NAHL.

He would then be drafted to the USHL by Sioux Falls Stampede and he maybe didn’t have the year he did previous but 10 goals and 35 assists in 57 games was definitely ok.

The Flemington, NJ native had a decent rookie run in Western Mass, but decided he would continue school down the road at American International College Yellow Jackets, where he did slightly better in Atlantic Hockey play.

It would be interesting to see where the 25-year old is able to land next, if he continues to put up big numbers in Germany’s tier 3 pro league.

After 8 games, he is wooed to join Manchester Storm of the EIHL and accepts.

He would return and work his way up from the SPHL to loans up to Maine Mariners, where he connected and was re-signed for a full campaign.

Doing well with a career best 16 assists and 21 points, he finds himself dealt to Tulsa Oilers.

He wouldn’t come away with any points in 7 games, but spies an opportunity and no stranger to hockey overseas, heads off to Australia for part of the summer to play in the AIHL for Melbourne Ice, where he should see his numbers climb.

Blowing up scoring to the tune of 26 goals and 42 assists in 21 games through his 2nd frame over there, he returns to the Oilers for 2025/2026.

Maybe in a somewhat oddball move, he actually agrees with Monroe Mocassins of the FPHL for next frame.

16Aug

Alexander Tertyshny (59) with a Twitter interview 5/16-23

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American International College 2021/2022 commit, defenseman Alex Tertyshny(59) will challenge for a roster spot when he arrives for training camp.

A former assistant captain with Northeast Generals, he managed to score new career highs 6 goals and 25 assists in 57 NAHL games with a modest +1 rating on a non-playoff club.

The 6′ 170 lbs. d-man did a pair of years in junior hockey over in Russia’s MHL with Belye Medvedi Chelyabinsk and did alright with points but was a nice +13.

He only left near the onset of his 2nd season back at his 2nd home before coming over to skate for Corpus Christi Icerays but that experiment went south, so he got himself a trade and once in MA, things started improving big.

Only figuring into 1 game as a freshman, he ups and leaves for Stonehill College Skyhawks.

While he gets into 30 games, he scores 4 assists with tough +/- on a team that didn’t win much.

He would only get into 9 games as a junior, but decides to leave 1 year of school on the table to accept a contract back in Russia VHL with Chelmet Chelyabinsk for 2025/2026.

 

–Do you feel healthy to get started in a few months?
Yes, although I’ve been home, I’ve been working very hard on my body and my game. I know these next two years are very crucial for me and I am beyond grateful for the opportunity David and Darrel Borges have given. Currently just putting myself in the best position to deliver for them and their program.

The 21-year old will definitely look to continue to shine and is the next subject of our video feature: one question interview.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9c7wGmYpqk

15Aug

Ian McCoshen (3)

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7th year defenseman Ian McCoshen(3) is off trying something new this season, playing on a 1-year deal in Finland’s top league, Liiga for Assat.

In 23 games, the 6’3″ 215 lbs. blue liner has 3 goals and 11 assists with a +4 rating.

He was always decent with scoring in the AHL, where he played some 242 games, but was a more accountable +15 rating.

The oddball Anaheim, CA native also has 60 games NHL experience, all with draft club Florida Panthers, round 2, 2013 (#31 overall).

A former 3-year Boston College Eagles, he left a year on the table, to sign his entry level deal.

At just 27-years old, he’s likely just getting started over there.

He takes a very decent frame in Finnish hockey to another stop overseas and skate Czechia Tipsport Extraliga with Bili Tygri Liberec doing well enough to be wanted back for another season and he’s still not yet 30.

Just like that he gets a better deal from a KHL club to play with Kunlun Redstar for 2024/2025 instead.

He takes some ok scoring, but a terrible +/- to a new contract for 2025/2026 with rivals, Barys Astana.

14Aug

Rocco Grimaldi (28)

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9th year right wing Rocco Grimaldi(28) was unable to chase down an NHL deal for 2022/2023, so has decided to sign a 1-year AHL deal with San Diego Gulls to keep his game going.

The small 5’6″ 160 lbs. forward surpasses the 300 games played mark in the league this season and is already on top of scoring with 6 goals and 11 assists in 15 games.

He once scored 30+ goals, once 20+ and 3 times 10+ and also struck for 10 goals in 2 seasons in the upper league and also had 21 assists in his best showing for Nashville Predators, where he spent 4 campaigns.

The 29-year old, 3-year University Of North Dakota Fighting Hawks may not be done, but we’re a little surprised the Anaheim, CA native hasn’t left for some overseas action in say Sweden, instead of playing kind of close to home.

After putting up point-per-game numbers for his current out of playoff contention team, he gets a trade to Rockford Icehogs, who are in a battle for the last spot in their division.

For his 10th season 2023/2024, he signs a 1-year contract with Chicago Wolves, which should be a lot of fun for him.

Despite running up point-per-game numbers with 73 of them, he signs only a pto with Cleveland Monsters for 2024/2025.

Well, after 6 goals and 17 assists in 15 games, as the team leading scorer, they grace the 31-year old with a 1-year contract.

In 66 games, he records a career high 41 assists, but will take his game elsewhere for a 1st time in his pro career, signing a 1-year deal with SKA St. Petersburg for 2025/2026.

11Aug

Reid Irwin (43)

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Colgate University Raiders‘ graduate, captain defenseman Reid Irwin(43) scored a new college best 6 goals and 17 points in 32 games last season, which he took to a 1st pro contract with Wichita Thunder and scored a 1st ECHL goal and assist in 9 games.

The 6’1″ 198 lbs. blue liner decides to sign with Belfast Giants of the EIHL for his official rookie year, 2025/2026.

From Victoria, BC, the 25-year old transferred from 2-years at University Of Denver Pioneers.

He did 3 years of junior hockey.

10Aug

Logan vande Meerakker (46)

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Alvernia University Golden Wolves‘ senior defenseman Logan vande Meerakker(46) takes a college best 14 goals and 19 assists in 27 games with a +24 rating to a contract for his rookie season, 2024/2025 with Evansville Thunderbolts.

He joined them upon graduation and didn’t register a point in 3 SPHL games, but then popped for 2 goals and 1 assists in 5 playoff matchups with a +1 rating.

The 6′ 209 lbs. solid blue liner from Dieppe, NB should do well in a full frame and it’s possible the 24-year old gets loaned up.

After an outstanding frame, scoring 18 goals and 19 assists in 54 games with a +4 rating, then another 7 points (4-3) in 7 playoff matchups, he will take these numbers over to the NIHL and signs with Swindon Wildcats for 2025/2026.

09Aug

Sam Jardine (21)

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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.

He actually has a change of attitude and signs in the Senior AAA Alberta league with Lacombe Generals, probably to just play some hockey somewhere to keep in shape.

For 2025/2026, he’s making a big return and signs with Idaho Steelheads.