Category: Europe

20Jul

Todd Burgess (48)

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Rookie center Todd Burgess(48) signs his first pro contract with Manitoba Moose for 2021/2022.

The big 6’2″ 195 lbs. power forward will likely step right into his game when he gets to the AHL.

He graduated from Minnesota State University (Mankato) Mavericks after doing 4 years at RPI Engineers, connecting for 27 goals and 35 assists in 127 NCAA Division 1 games.

That was nothing compared to what the 25-year old, Phoenix, AZ native did in his last season of juniors for Fairbanks Ice Dogs, wracking up 95 points (38-57) in 60 NAHL games with a +25 ratings, then added another 5 goals and 9 assists in 12 playoff contests.

This output got him on the radar of Ottawa Senators, who drafted him in the 4th round of 2016 (#103 overall) but failed to get him under contract.

We think this could just be the start.

He maybe rounded out last season with some games down with Newfoundland Growlers, where he was very close to being a point-per-game player, but did also nab 7 goals and 6 assists as a rookie.

The big man stays in the league, but moves to a divisional foe for 2022/2023, Milwaukee Admirals.

Mostly reassigned to play with the not so good ECHL affiliate Norfolk Admirals, he still busts out some numbers scoring.

He next looks at something a bit different to skate and signs in Slovak Extraliga with HK Spisska Nova Ves and ran up the scoresheet big with 19 goals and 18 assists in 45 games with a +13 rating.

Not sure why is not continuing, unless he eyes something better by heading to HockeyAllsvenskan for 2024/2025, agreeing to terms with Mora IK and we suspect he will do exceedingly well again.

18Jul

Cooper Zech (68)

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4th year defenseman Cooper Zech(68) gets a little bit of a new lease on hockey life with a trade that sends him from a very decent season with Lehigh Valley Phantoms, scoring a goal and 10 assists with a +3 rating and their parent club Philadelphia Flyers in an early season dish to Chicago Blackhawks, where he’s expected to report to Rockford Icehogs.

The 5’9″ 161 lbs. blue liner only spent 1 year at Ferris State University Bulldogs before turning pro on a 2-year entry level deal with Boston Bruins.

He put up a huge amount of assists in his one BCHL junior campaign for Wenatchee Wild, amassing 58 assists in 58 games.

The 23-year old from South Lyon, MI, who had a successful little swing on loan to Slovakia with HK Nitra during the pandemic, will likely always have to prove himself.

At the trade deadline, he finds himself moved as a pawn in the deal that sends Patrick Kane to New York Rangers.

He may was a bit under-utilized in suburban Chicago, but should get more efforts with Hartford Wolf Pack, if not reassigned further done for a bit.

Reassigned down to Indy Fuel, he played only 1 game with the team.

For 2023/2024, he returns for a full session, signing a 1-year deal with HC Kosice of Slovak Extraliga.

He does well here, scoring 3 goals and 15 assists in 32 games with a +13 rating in a very tough league, but has maybe been wooed to join the EIHL and signs with Nottingham Panthers for 2024/2025.

18Jul

Mathew Santos (16)

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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

Greg Moro (3)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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.