Category: Europe

Curry College Colonels‘ center Timmy Kent(28) 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.

Returning after only 6 games away, he signs with Knoxville Ice Bears and scores 5 goals and 8 assists in 18 SPHL games, then another 5 points in the playoffs and he is an easy invite to be back for 2026/2027.

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.

Florida Everblades‘ 6th year center Joe Widmar(72) was just obtained from Allen Americans, where he seemed to struggle with only 3 assists in 14 games after starting the season decently for the lowly Norfolk Admirals, scoring 5 goals and 4 assists in 13 contests.

The big 6’1″ 210 lbs. forward has struggled to stay with one team for an entire frame, except for his one complete season overseas, where he skated 26 Polish Hockey League games for Cracovia Krakow.

A former 2-year UMass Minutemen wasn’t a big scorer in college before turning pro.

The 27-year old from Northbrook, IL still can be an elite player in the ECHL, but needs to not get traded.

He has definitely struggled in the higher league some, as he started the 2024/2025 frame with Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs and scored 3 goals and 6 assists in 2 SPHL games to earn a quick loan up, but there he has been perplexed hitting the scoresheet.

With only 1 assist in 20 games, he moves for a 3rd time, claimed from waivers by Fort Wayne Komets, where he hopes to find luck.

He signs with Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs for 2026/2027 and scores 28 goals and 49 assists in 58 SPHL games with a +8 rating, then adds another 5 points in the playoffs.

It’s all impressive enough for Reading Royals to sign him for 2026/2027.

2nd year Bentley University Falcons‘ goaltender Nicholas Grabko(33) is definitely garnering some attention.

He has put up an impressive pair of victories vs. ranked clubs, but even in losses has performed with gymnastic-like theatrics, stopping pucks.

The almost unassuming 5’11” 181 lbs. net minder was a late add to the college after a 2nd season on good junior hockey stats for Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL, even though he was basically an upcoming star in the Chicago Mission 13U – 16U AAA.

For a 2nd time in 3 weeks, the 21-year old has been named Atlantic Hockey Goalie Of The Week.

He has decided to take on a graduate season at University Of Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks for 2024/2025 and we should watch him help his new college team win games.

In 20 games, he goes 5-11-4 with a 2.74 GAA and .899 SV%, which he takes to a 1st pro contract with Idaho Steelheads.

After 1 unsuccessful start, he finds himself on the move, signed by Toledo Walleye, where he notches a 1st ECHL win.

For 2025/2026, he leaves to sign with Yetis du Mont-Blanc of France2, which is likely to give himself a completely new start.

He had returned to sign with one FPHL team, but as the season approaches gets traded to join Columbus River Dragons for 2026/2027.

6th year right wing Wade Murphy(6) returns to sign with Idaho Steelheads for 2022/2023 after spending the last 3 seasons of pandemic madness away in Norway, Austria and Slovenia, where he managed to capture that country’s 2022 league championship.

The 6′ 194 lbs. forward has 120 games of ECHL experience with decent scoring, but definitely could flatten that +/-.

Originally a Nashville Predators’ 7th round pick in the 2013 draft (#185 overall), he was never signed after an outstanding junior season based on his early college numbers.

He graduated after a 2 season transfer to Arizona State University Sun Devils from University Of North Dakota Fighting Hawks with a college career best 9 goals and 11 assists.

The 28-year old from Victoria, BC is a big frame that should be able to score goals almost at will we the right team in this league.

He takes a career high by a mile frame, scoring 21 goals and 22 assists in 54 games with a +38 rating to 20 playoff match ups and another 20 point total.

It’s an absolute no brainer that he receives a new contract to continue wearing a Steelheads‘ jersey for 2023/2024.

He is taking career scoring bests goals, assists, points with him for another foray to test his skills overseas in the tough to play Slovak Extraliga and signs with HC Slovan Bratislava for 2024/2025 and we think does very well here.

Limited to only 10 games last season, he scored 6 goals and 2 assists with a +5 rating and will next skate in the same league for HK Poprad in 2024/2025.

He is seemingly doing ok over there for a couple different teams, but has decided to return to strap on an Idaho jersey yet again.

Undrafted third year defenseman Charlie Curti(3) somewhat returns home to Adirondack Thunder, where he had a breakthrough rookie campaign, scoring a career high 11 goals and 20 assists for 31 points in 56 ECHL games.

He had to go away as a sophomore skater, signing for 2020/2021 with Rapid City Rush, as his upper state NY club was forced to sit due to COVID restrictions.

The 6′ 191 lbs., 26-year old, former 4-year Yale University Bulldogs‘ blue liner returns to his first year club and could very well set more bests point totals.

Instead of heading back to upper state New York for a 2nd season, the 25-year old has rethought that decision and accepts a contract with Aalborg Pirates of Metal Ligaen.

This may just be the start of his hockey life overseas as he could do very well in Denmark’s top league.

He would return after scoring nicely overseas and sign a 1-year ECHL deal with Toledo Walleye, where he ran up 25 points in 39 games with a +20 rating before adding 8 assists in 12 playoff matchups.

For 2023/2024, he is heading to play with 2-time EIHL Champs Belfast Giants, where he just may help them raise a 3rd straight trophy.

He maybe didn’t capture a title, but did nicely with 2 goals and 17 assists in 39 games with a +11 rating to sign with rivals, Guilford Flames for 2024/2025.

After 2 years oof good play, he decides to head to Metal Ligaen for 2026/2027 and signs with Herlev Eagles.

Curry College Colonels‘ Finnish-born, sophomore left wing Eelis Laaksonen(19) had a pair of tallies and an assist to help his team to a 5-1 semi-finals win to advance to the NCAA Division 3 CCC Finals.

The 6′ 185 lbs. forward has a college career tying 9 goals and best 15 assists for 24 points in 25 games this season.

At 22-years old, he should just continue to excel where he is playing hockey.

He finished up his senior year with a college best 14 goals and +19 rating, which he takes to possibly a slightly conservative deal with Evansville Thunderbirds, where he should score well in the SPHL to move up.

In 47 games, he scores 4 goals and 6 assists, that he takes to a new contract for 2026/2027 with rivals, Quad City Storm.

Undrafted right wing Chase Gresock(13) will play his year of eligibility at Bowling Green University Falcons for a graduate season after 1-year at Miami University (Ohio) Redhawks and 3, 2 as captain for Merrimack College Warriors.

The 6’1″ 205 lbs. forward is almost a deceptively good scorer.

A Powell, OH native he spent his youth hockey with the Ohio Blue Jackets 14U – 18U AAA before joining close by Youngstown Phantoms for 2 successful USHL frames.

The 24-year old should have a good campaign, but find play in the CCHA tough.

He would finish up an extra year with tying his twice best 11 goals and adding a new high 20 assists and 31 points before signing an ato with San Jose Barracuda to finish out the session.

For his official rookie season, he agrees to terms with “home team” Toledo Walleye, which should be a pretty great 1st stopping spot.

In his 1st year, he strikes for 16 goals and 19 assists with a +7 rating in 69 ECHL games, but he looks around a signs for 2024/2025 with Coventry Blaze, so switches up a letter and will be playing his pro hockey int he EIHL.

Ok, so this is a bit of a surprise maybe, he scores 32 goals and 30 assists in 54 games with a +7 rating, but decides to head over to Ligue Magnus for 2025/2026 and signs with Dragons de Rouen.

Once again, he scores huge numbers, but he is heading back to the EIHL and signs with Guildford Flames for 2026/2027.

Providence College Friars‘ graduate center Logan Will(20) scored a college best 8 goals and 16 assists in his extra frame.

The 5’11” 185 lbs. twice captain forward at Colorado College Tigers was a consistent scorer there.

He did 3 years USHL juniors before school.

From Ames, IA, the 25-year old signs a 1st pro contract with Florida Everblades and has 2 goals and 3 assists with a +4 rating in 14 ECHL games.

After 30 games, scoring 4 goals and 6 assists with a +8 rating, he decides to leave for a little better hockey in Slovak Extraliga, signing with HK Spisska Nova Ves.

In 3 games, he has 3 assists with a +2 rating.

He would finish up with 11 games, scoring 2 goals and 5 assists, but is ready to move on and signs with Eispiraten Crimmitschau for 2026/2027.

2nd year left wing Mike O’Leary(10) re-signs to stay with Hartford Wolf Pack for a third overall AHL contract with the team.

He played in roughly 3/4 of the games last season as a rookie, getting a goal and 2 assists in 16 appearances.

The 6’1″ 200 lbs. forward finished 4 years at University Of Notre Dame Fightining Irish with a college high 9 goals and 23 points in 37 games.

Heading into his first season that should seemingly be pulled off unencumbered may see him settle into some scoring.

In 53 games, he was able to notch 6 goals and 5 assists, and will take that to a next opportunity, a 1-year minor league deal with Iowa Wild for 2022/2023.

He takes his scoring up to a new level with 12 goals and 15 assists in 66 games, but in the current frame only has 3 assists in 40 contests.

Likely feeling pretty agitated, he moves on for a completely new experience, signing with Ilves of Liiga in hopes of finding that scoring touch once again, in Finland.

He actually didn’t connect so well in Swiss hockey and returned to sign with Tahoe Knight Monsters for 2024/2025.

In 65 ECHL games, he collected 33 points.

For 2026/2027, he goes for a new start with Greenville Swamp Rabbits.