Minnesota Wild 8th year defenseman Kevin Czuczman(7) is spending most of his time thus far in 2021/2022 with affiliate Iowa Wild, but has been on the short list for recalls.
He has only skated 15 NHL games with 13 of those after his 3rd year at Lake Superior State University Lakers for entry level contract club, New York Islanders.
The 6’3″ 195 lbs. blu liner spent his first couple with their affiliate Bridgeport Sound Tigers, but when his contract expired was left unqualified as a group 6 free agent.
He couldn’t have landed at a better spot and signed for one year with Manitoba Moose, producing career high 9 goals and 23 assists to gain the attention of Pittsburgh Penguins, who signed him to a two-way for a year.
In his first frame for his new club, he once again reached a new best on assists, striking for 31 with a +15 rating.
He would make not equal this output in his 2nd year under contract, but did well enough to earn another two to stay.
The 30-year old from London, ON has definitely worked hard for what he has earned and mostly seemed to smile about it.
In likely the most no brainer of free agency, he signs for 2022/2023 with Ilves of Liiga and will likely perform really well in Finland’s top league.
11th year defenseman Nicholas Schaus(28) returns to Norfolk Admirals, where he spent 18 AHL games in his third pro season.
Now an ECHL team, in 5 games, he’s already posted a pair of assists.
The 5’11” 200 lbs. blue liner has always been known for dishing helpers in good amounts, reaching 20+ assists and 30+ points overseas on 3 occasions.
He had 10+ assists for 3 of 4 years at UMass-Lowell Riverhawks.
The 35-year old is a great team guy and maybe shows little signs of slowing down.
He likes where he is and decides to stay for 2022/2023 after putting in 4 goals and 11 assists.
This could be it, then he would be an amazing coach.
Undrafted rookie right wing Jack Billings(27) becomes one of the first player signings to the new ECHL team Iowa Heartlanders.
The Oak Lawn, IL native has already experienced an interesting run to ultimately turning pro.
He played his 1st junior season with Janesville Jets, scoring a modest 2 goals and 6 assists in 42 NAHL games as a youngster.
Also, drafted by Green Bay Gamblers, he skated 4 USHL games, grabbing an assist.
He would start the next season back in tier 2 junior hockey, but maybe almost oddly left to join a high performance skating league HPHL 18U for a spell before settling in with Brockville Braves to play out his 2nd frame.
Turns out he like the CCHL and settled in for the next couple years (41-77=118 in 130 games) before committing to Salve Regina University Seahawks DIII.
The 5’9″ 190 lbs. forward would have a decent rookie campaign, but really starting popping as a 2nd year skater for 19 goals and 26 assists in 40 games.
Just as he was readying for a third season at school, Niagara University Purple Eagles swoop in, he sits one season in the transfer portal and finishes up with two seasons on some very decent scoring ground.
The 25-year old is likely ready to transition his game to another level.
He scores 14 goals and 15 assists as a 1st year player and he’s off, signing a 1-year deal with Coventry Blaze of the EIHL for 2022/2023 and on a good team will likely light that league up big.
Anna Maria College Amcats‘ graduate center Gavin Proeh(16) maybe didn’t have his highest scoring totals with 5 goals and 11 assists in 22 games, but did leave last session with his highest plus/minus mark at 13.
The 6’2″ 192 lbs. forward will next take his game to HockeyTvaan, signing a 1-year deal with Amals SK.
A Highland Park, IL native, he was a good scorer in USHS-IL.
We think the 24-year old could become somewhat of a stud in Sweden’s tier 4 league.
Castleton University Knights‘ graduate defenseman Jahwara Rennells(5), who lists Sandy Hill, ON and Jamaica as places of birth, decides to turn pro and accepts an offer to join tier 3 Hockeyettan, signing for 2022/2023 with Helsingborgs HC.
The 5’9″ 194 lbs. blue liner had a college best 2 goals and 5 assists in 26 games last season.
He played most of three years in the CCHL before heading to school.
The 25-year old will likely catch on big in Sweden’s hockey league.
After taking a year to turn pro after two NAHL seasons with Maine Nordiques, Stockholm-born defenseman Casper Soderling(56) skated for Nacka HK of Division 2, running some decent numbers, 2 goals and 16 assists in 26 games last season.
The 6′ 172 lbs. blue liner seems to have changed his mind and accepted a commitment to American International College Yellowjackets for 2022/2023.
As a 21-year old, he will likely find some room to play his game in Atlantic Hockey and may even really take to it well.
Niagara University Purple Eagles‘ senior defenseman Zac Herrmann(12) wasted zero time turning pro, as soon as his team was ousted from NCAA Division Atlantic Hockey play for 2021/2022 and inked a contract to join Cincinnati Cyclones for the remainder of the frame.
In a new high 36 games, he was able to score a best 5 goals and 10 assists.
He had 31 helpers in his 2nd NAHL season of juniors as assistant captain for Odessa Jackalopes.
The Lancaster, NY native also managed 34 assists in one season up north in the OJHL for Burlington Cougars.
No points in a pair of ECHL games to start, but it would be little surprise to see the 6′ 185 lbs. blue liner have an impact early.
Only able to put up an assist in 12 games, he decides to look elsewhere for a contract and signs on with Manchester Storm and will skate EIHL as a rookie.
Big Swedish-born defenseman Oliver Rooth(28) spent only last season at Johnson & Wales University Wildcats, getting 2 goals and 2 assists in 21 NCAA Division 3 games, but has decided to return to the pro ranks at home, joining Borlange HF of HockeyEttan for 2022/2023.
The 6’3″ 200 lbs. blue liner recently played in the tier 3 Swedish league, skating 34 games for Sollentuna HC, getting a goal and 5 assists.
He played there after trying a campaign of junior hockey in the US with Twin City Thunder of USPHL/NCDC.
The 22-year old will no doubt continue to grow his game and maybe attend some school in his hometown on the side.
University Of Vermont Catamounts‘ freshman center Joel Määttä(9) has no points in 15 NCAA Division 1 games, but when was called to play for home team Finland in the World Juniors, potted 2 assists in 2 wins before the whole tournament got trashed.
The 6’2″ 201 lbs. forward definitely plays like he is on the verge of scoring after a pair of decent successful USHL runs with Sioux City Musketeers.
This is still only a 19-year old, adjusting, waiting to catch on.
He would score 3 goals and 3 assists in 32 NCAA Division 1 games last season and Edmonton Oilers like what they see, so pick him in the 2022 NHL draft, 7th round, #222 overall.
Robert Morris University Colonials‘ senior Nick Lalonde(10) had no team to play for last season at school and decides to turn pro for 2022/2023, signing with Neuilly-sur-Marne Les Bisons of France3.
The 5’9″ 175 lbs. Brooklin, ON native played 4 seasons of junior hockey close to home in the CCHL winning the 2018 Championship with Ottawa Jr. Senators.
At 24-years old, he had limited scoring through school, but we think in this league his numbers will tick up nicely.
