14th year defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk(12) signs a 1-year deal worth just $1.05M with Boston Bruins as an unrestricted free agent, which brings him back “home” to where he played his 3 years of college hockey at Boston University Terriers.
The 6′ 207 lbs. blue liner was originally a Colorado Avalanche 1st round pick in 2017 (#14 overall), but played only half a season there before being traded to St. Louis Blues.
He stayed with them for 7 campaigns scoring 10+ goals 3 times, 30+ assists 5 and 40+ points on 5 occasions.
The 34-year old from New Rochelle, NY did 2 years at the USNTDP before college and playing on his new team could get him back into the 20+ point range, as he did 4 of the last 5 sessions.
Salve Regina University Seahawks‘ graduate right wing John McLean(22) played his 1st pro hockey for Olofstroms IK of Division3 last season, running up scoring totals 19 goals and 17 assists in 26 games, then added another 8 (4-4) in 6 through the playoffs.
He ran up good, almost point-per-game totals sophomore through graduate seasons.
The fairly big 6’2″ 200 lbs. forward from North Andover, MA played his high school hockey at Malden Catholic, then maybe conservatively went on to play of Islanders HC Premier team and won a USPHL Premier Championship.
At 27-years old already, he switches things up to advance to a bit of a higher level in BeNeLiga, where he signs for 2023/2024 with EG Diez Limburg Rockets.
We think he will have great success here too and hopefully look for some pro hockey that competes at the level he does.
2nd year center Alex Cohen(10) had a strange 1st year skating pro, playing for 3 different SPHL teams and exiting for 3 games in Czechia3 before returning.
Atlanta Gladiators see something in the 6′ 192 lbs. forward and sign him to a tryout agreement for 2023/2024.
He played 3 years of NAHL junior hockey for Northeast Generals, scoring a best 16 goals and 15 assists in his 3rd frame.
The Newton, MA native was with Union College Bobcats for 3 seasons, but played only 15 games total as one ECAC season was scrapped due to COVID.
9th year right wing Justin Crandall(22) will spend a 3rd season in a Cardiff Devils‘ uniform after continuing to post good numbers following a season, where he got a career best 45 assists in an EIHL frame.
He twice had 30+ assists and averaged 20 goals in the ECHL before leaving for overseas.
The 5’11” 190 lbs. forward has also 5 times had 20+ assists through Metal Ligaen and HockeyAllsvenskan.
From Lakeville, MN, the former University Of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs‘ 31-year old has worked for every inch he has gained.
10th year center Steve Whitney(10) is putting up points like he’s in the prime of his career (10 goals, 12 assists in 19 games) for SC Langenthal of SL.
He had two 50+ point seasons in the ECHL and was a strong scorer for Stavanger Oilers last season, helping them win the 2022 Norway Championship.
The small 5’7″ 168 lbs., former 4 year Boston College Eagles‘ scorer from Boston, MA is still doing pretty well at 31-years old.
After scoring 21 goals and 21 assists in 38 games, then 3 goals and 3 assists in 5 playoff games, he will take his talents to a new country, signing in Metal Ligaen with Rungsted Seier Capital for 2023/2024.
4th year center Jack Badini(21) is heading off to try something a bit different, signing with Stjernen Hockey of Fjordkraftligaen for 2023/2024.
The 6′ 203 lbs. forward should be able to connect well in Norway’s top league, as he did in his last ECHL frame for Newfoundland Growlers, while on loan from Toronto Marlies.
He signed 1 AHL deal, but as a former Anaheim Ducks‘ 3rd round pick in 2017 (#91 overall), he played 2-years in their system for San Diego Gulls after 4 years at Harvard University Crimson.
The 25-year old, Greenwich, CT native is likely to find better fortunes exploring hockey overseas for the while.
Undrafted rookie center Luke Lynch(28) skated just 4 games in last year’s COVID busted 2020/2021 for Wheeling Nailers, scoring no points, but gets his real opportunity with a contract to Jacksonville Icemen 2021/2022.
He was mostly a decent scorer for Robert Morris University Colonials, twice ascending to 20 assists, reached 17 goals as a sophomore and was named team captain as a senior.
The 5’11” 209 lbs. forward also potted point-per-game numbers as a 2nd year junior for Johnstown Tomahawks with a +17 rating.
As a Pittsburgh, PA native, he spent his last year of youth hockey in the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite 18U.
The 25-year old is likely very excited to get the new season going.
He would get 9 goals and 24 assists in 56 ECHL games with a +12 rating, then added 4 points in 8 games in the playoffs.
Kind of a no-brainer to keep him around if he wants to stay, and he signs for 2022/2023.
After a very impressive 2nd session in Florida, he is headed off to sign a 1-year deal with Glasgow Clan and will play games in the EIHL for 2023/2024.
SUNY-Brockport Golden Eagles‘ graduate defenseman Alexander Monteleone(6) signs a 1st pro deal in Polska Hokej Liga with STS Sanok for his rookie year, 2023/2024.
The 6’2″ 205 lbs. blue liner played 4 years at Norwich University Cadets initially after 2 CCHL sessions for Cornwall Colts.
He leaves D3 college hockey scoring a best 3 goals and 7 assists with a +14 rating through 22 games.
The 26-year old from Montreal, QC should do well in Poland’s top hockey.
Nashville Predators‘ 5th round pick in the 2016 draft (#138 overall), former outstanding point-per-game Boston University Terriers graduate, Patrick Harper(15) signed his two-year entry level deal as the plug was being pulled on the playoffs for the college hockey season and upon starting up has been mostly playing for Chicago Wolves but did start the season in the ECHL on a complete tear with Florida Everblades scoring 5 goals and 4 assist in 5 games.
The small 5’7″ 160 lbs. forward obviously knows how to find his open space.
He only has a pair of assists in 12 AHL games with a -6 but our bet is even with the bigger bodies, the puck is going to start to find him and he will be putting up stats.
The only 22-year old was drafted straight out of high school prep, played a pair of the MHSL sessions, scoring huge numbers, then finally to the USHL with Omaha Lancers before arriving at college a super youngster.
9 games into the new season without striking for affiliate Milwaukee Admirals, he has decided to opt out of the final year of his deal and heads to Finland’s Liiga, signing with HPK for the remainder of 2021/2022.
He would connect for 2 goals and 6 assists in 22 games, and has decided to opt for a bit of a lower challenge, signing with Mora IK of Allsvenskan for 2022/2023.
He will likely do very well in tier 2 Sweden’s hockey and be moved up.
A trade would send him to Kristianstads IK for most of last season, putting up decent enough numbers.
The New York native has made a decision to return to the US for 2023/2024, signing a 1-year deal with South Carolina Stingrays, which should see good results for both team and player.
Undrafted 2nd year defenseman Zach Giuttari(44) re-signs with Hartford Wolf Pack for a 2nd season.
He signed a 1-game ato after graduating as senior captain from Brown University Bears, where he put up three years of decent point production.
The very decently sized 6’2″ 190 lbs. blue liner spent only one season in juniors for Chilliwack Chiefs with good numbers (8-9) in 54 BCHL games.
His 3 goals and 3 assists as a rookie in a ridiculous season of 22 AHL games with a +4 are good stats to keep him on board.
The 25-year old, Warwick, R.I native will likely do much better this year as it will be more normal and he’ll have one run under his belt.
Turns out he’s a hell of a lacrosse player too.
After 120+ games in Connecticut, he gets shipped across the country for a new start with Abbotsford Canucks.
In 17 games, he gets 3 assists, then adds another 2 in 6 playoff matchups to somehow land an amazing deal to head to the SHL and play games for Vaxjo Lakers HC in 2023/2024.
