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.
Undrafted left wing Steven Ipri(23) takes a 4-year college career at Mercyhurst University Lakers to a 1st pro contract with Wichita Thunder.
The 5’11” 155 lbs. forward was a solid scorer through 2 NAHL seasons, getting 17 goals and 27 assists in his 2nd frame.
In 3 ECHL games, he already has an assist.
The 24-year old from Broadview Heights, OH should find success in this league, if he sticks around.
In an almost odd move, he signs for 2022/2023 in Germany3 with HC Landsberg and will likely post some career high stats.
American International College Yellowjackets‘ graduate, left wing Elijiah Barriga(19) signs a 1st pro deal with Dundee Stars of the EIHL for 2022/2023 after putting up a college career best 15 assists and 24 points last season.
The West Covina, CA native did one season at University Of Nevada-Las Vegas Rebels lighting it up big before arriving east.
He did 2 seasons up in the BCHL with Salmon Arm Silverbacks and was a point-per-game guy in his 2nd year.
We expect the ice to open up where he’s going for the 5’11” 194 lbs. forward to put up some points.
Undrafted, 4th year left wing Mike Szmatula(9) leaves after his 4th ECHL season and first away from Adirondack Thunder, who didn’t play last season, but had they, he would have returned yet again.
The former Northeastern University Huskies and ultimately after a portal transfer University Of Minnesota Golden Gophers skated for Jacksonville Icemen in 2020/2021, scoring a third 20+ goal campaign.
He left once briefly to play in Poland, but that lasted all of 4 games before his return.
The 5’9″ 181 lbs. forward will head to Denmark’s Metal Ligaen, signing with SoderjyskE for 2021/2022.
There’s little doubt the 28-year old will achieving new scoring heights if he stays in this league, but nothing is certain and he could come back to the team he’s played 122 games for.
The Commerce Township, MI native returns home to sign with the last team he left, Jacksonville Iceman and should be able to connect for even more scoring than he did previously.
Yale University Bulldogs‘ senior right wing Kyle Johnson(15) graduates and decides to look elsewhere to turn pro and selects France2‘s Neuilly-sur-Marne Les Bisons for a 1st 2022/2023 contract.
The 6′ 190 lbs. forward scored a modest new best 2 goals and an assist in 30 NCAA Division 1 games last season.
He was very decent in three campaigns for Prince George Spruce Kings of the BCHL before heading to school.
The 24-year old from Port Moody, BC should excel in this tier 2 league and could even score some Ligue Magnus looks.
5th year defenseman Simon Denis(9) tracks back and signs for a 3rd time with Toledo Walleye for 2022/2023 after spending the last four seasons in the Asia League and being voted MVP and league’s best d-man for Tohoku Free Blades.
The 5’10” 187 lbs. blue liner did 5 years at Ferris State University Bulldogs, averaging 10 assists in 4 sessions.
He has been recalled once to Hartford Wolf Pack and in 7 AHL games came away with 4 assists.
The part Japanese/Canadian 30-year old will likely put up some great stats for a team he’s super comfortable with and likely ready to win another title.
