Category: Free Agent Signing

Boston College Eagles‘ freshman center Ryan Leonard(9) is doing basically what you expect of him on the scoresheet with 5 goals and 7 assists in 12 games, including a +8 rating.

The 6′ 190 lbs. Washington Capitals‘ 1st round pick in the recent 2023 draft (#8 overall) put up big stats with the USNTDP, especially during his 2nd run in the program.

From Amherst, MA, the 18-year old is still looking at quite a bright future he’ll need to maintain.

His team is exited in the 2nd round of the national tournament and he immediately signs a 3-year NHL entry level deal to join his draft team in his home city for college hockey to get pro started.

In his debut he skates 20 shifts for 14:14 of ice time with 3 hits, 2 giveaways, 1 shot block and left a 1-goal win with a +1 rating.

After a 45 point season as a rookie, he signs a $10.5M AAV 8-year deal to stay a Capitals for a very long time, beginning 2027/2028.

Colorado Avalanche 1st round pick (#19 overall) in the 2019 draft, Boston College Eagles‘ sophomore center Alex Newhook(15) celebrating a goal is the opening image for our new site.

NCAA.com used this photo for a story they did on college hockey last season that we were really proud of but can’t seem to find anywhere, if someone can help us.

In his 1st NHL season he skates 71 games, scoring 13 goals and 20 assists with a +11 rating and adds 4 assists in 12 playoff appearances.

He is now a Stanley Cup Champion.

Set to become a restricted free agent, he is dished to Montreal Canadiens, who welcome him as a top 6 forward into the fold, given him a qualifying offer, but expect that to be worked on.

He gets a new 4-year, $5.5M AAV deal that begins next year to stay onboard a Canadiens.

14th year left wing, Justin Vaive(46) signs with Cincinnati Cyclones for a 9th ECHL season, 2024/2025.

He’s served as team captain 3 times.

The big 6’6″ 238 lbs. forward was originally an Anaheim Ducks‘ 4th round pick in the 2007 draft (#92 overall), but never signed.

He did however sign an NHL contract a few years later with New York Islanders, which had him spend his entire time with affiliate Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

From Buffalo, NY and son of former NHLer Rick Vaive, the 35-year old, who did 4 years at Miami University (Ohio) Redhawks may not score like he once did, but he will certainly bring himself back up to a + player.

For an 8 season, 6 as team captain, he signs on to a team he has found a pretty great home with in Cincinnati for 2025/2026.

After 601 ECHL games and 280 AHL, he decides at 37-years old, 16 seasons it’s time to retire from pro hockey and should just assume a position behind the bench where he has spent significant time and served 7 as team captain.

9th year defenseman Mike Reilly(6) signs a 1-year deal with Florida Panthers for 2023/2024 after spending most of the last 2 seasons with Boston Bruins, although he was dished to their affiliate Providence Bruins for most of last season and his contract was eventually bought out and he was waived.

He’s 3 times reached 10+ assists and 4 times 10+ points in a frame.

The 6’1″ 195 lbs. blue liner was originally a Columbus Blue Jackets‘ 4th round pick in the 2011 (#98 overall) draft, but 1st signed his 2-year NHL entry level deal as an unrestricted free agent with Minnesota Wild, then re-upped with them on a 1-way deal for another 2.

A former University Of Minnesota Golden Gophers, he is a veteran of 339 games in the big league and the 30-year old could hang up his skates happy if he wanted to at this point.

He was ready to be reassigned to their AHL affiliate, but in steps New York Islanders to claim him off waivers, as they look to have a need for him to help cover their blue line.

Through a 2nd best 59 games, he scores a new high 6 goals and 24 points to earn himself another 1-year deal to stay on the Isle for 2024/2025.

He misses a chunk of last season due to concussion, which limits his availability to 18 games.

For 2025/2026, he signs a simple 1-year $1.1M AAV deal with Carolina Hurricanes, a team that can use his veteran leadership.

In 42 games, he scores 1 goal and 8 assists with a +11 rating, then adds 2 assists in 2 playoff games with a +2 to easily be asked to return a Canes for his 33rd year on a 2-way deal, so they may have some ideas for his future.

Edmonton Oilers‘ 6th round pick in the 2019 draft (#188 overall), Quinnipiac University Bobcats‘ senior center Skyler Brind’Amour(76) has a new college career best 12 goals and 24 points, but still needs 5 more helpers to equal the 17 assists he got as a junior.

The 6’2″ 174 lbs. forward played 2 seasons with Chilliwack Chiefs after dipping his toe in with the USNTDP program, running up 44 points (13 goals, 31 assists) in 52 BCHL games in his 2nd frame with the team.

A 23-year old, born in Raleigh, NC, when his dad Rod Brind’Amour(17) was playing for Carolina Hurricanes should produce well once he turns pro, as he’s pretty big and uses that to gain space out there.

He has a season they like in the AHL, a good preseason invite to training camp and looks as though he joins his dad under a 2-way NHL contract from the club he coaches for 2024/2025.

Scoring an easy best 16 goals and 7 assists gets him a 1st look to see what he can do.

In his debut he plays 20 shifts for 15:28 ice time with 1 block, 1 hit and 2 giveaway with a -2 rating in a 4-2 loss, but still gets praise for his play out there.

For his 2nd game, he scores himself a 1st NHL goal, as he was close to the net to stuff one in.

Coming in was one of the best things for his game, as he goes on to score 16 goals and 8 assists through 68 games, which leads to a 1-year extension to stay a Canes for 2025/2026.

His game seems to be coming together more under his father’s close watch, as he comes away with a 2nd season of 16 goals and ups his assists to a new best 18 to gain a new deal for 2026/2027, staying a ‘Canes.

Montreal Canadiens‘ 4th year goalie Cayden Primeau(30) gets re-upped for a nice 3-year NHL contract worth $890,000 AAV as a restricted free agent, possibly after a solid Calder Cup playoff run by affiliate Laval Rocket, where he posted a 9-5 record with a 2.17 GAA and .936 SV%.

The 6’3″ 203 lbs. net minder started a career high 12 games, but didn’t get the results he was looking for, by a mile.

A former 7th round pick in the 2017 draft (#199 overall), he did 2 stellar seasons at Northeastern University Huskies before turning pro.

Almost oddball, he did 1 season at tier 3 junior hockey EHL for Philadelphia Revolution before getting selected in the next frame.

The 23-year old, son of former bruiser Keith Primeau of 909 games played, 1541 penalty minutes, is likely looking to get the nod as starter, if he can earn it.

After 6 years in one system, the unrestricted free agent signs a 1-year deal with Carolina Hurricanes for 2025/2026.

Then he gets waived from training camp and scooped up by Toronto Maple Leafs, which is a bit of a thinker.

After 1 unsuccessful start, he is put on waivers again and Carolina Hurricanes step back in to claim him.

He plays the 2nd most games, 39 in his pro career and puts up some good numbers, 21-11-7, 2.41 GAA, .916 SV% to earn another 1-year deal to continue with affiliate Chicago Wolves, 2026/2027.

Merrimack College Warriors‘ senior defenseman Christian Felton(53) is looking like he is ready to set up a collegiate career best season, already 1 goal and 1 assist in 11 games.

He had 2 goals and 4 assists as highs last season.

The 6’1″ 195 lbs. blue liner from Medina, OH is maybe leaning in a little looking for scoring opportunities.

Transferring after 1 year at Bentley University Falcons, the 23-year old seems to have found his style in Hockey East play.

In his senior year, he would score new college bests 3 goals, 4 assists for 7 points, which he takes to a 1st pro contract, a 1-year NHL entry level deal with Vancouver Canucks.

He appears in only 13 games with affiliate Abbotsford Canucks and 7 in the ECHL before the injury bug takes him off his game.

For 2025/2026, he signs with Utah Grizzlies and should do really well.

He actually is loaned up to the AHL for 6 games, but is traded to Cincinnati Cyclones, where we think will continue good play.

For 3 games, he heads down, but is signed to a deal in the upper league for the rest of the current frame will be a Canucks.

Released, then traded to Cincinnati Cyclones, he gets 2 assists in 5 games, but he decides to head off to HockeyAllsvenskan and signs with Kalmar HC for 2026/2027.

https://www.curryathletics.com/sports/mice/2021-22/releases/POTW_1122

Curry College Colonels‘ graduate goalie Reid Cooper(33) apparently gained notice from a bit of an unlikely source, as he will join Washington Capitals on an ato in a back-up mode for their last game of the regular season.

The 6’2″ 190 lbs. net minder posted a 20-6-1 record in 2022/2023 with a 1.92 GAA and .935 SV% in 27 D3 games with 3 shutouts to earn the division CCC Goaltender Of The Year for his outstanding work to win the conference and move on to the final 8.

With this nod, it will be interesting to see where the 25-year old from Corman Park, SK and former 3-year Robert Morris University Colonials will go.

Once in fully pro status, he bounced around through the leagues, but when he arrived at Port Huron Prowlers seemed to find his game once again.

In 39 games, he posted a 23-9 record with a 2.28 GAA and .930 SV%, which is easily good enough to earn a starter invite for 2026/2027.

Chicago Blackhawks‘ undrafted rookie left wing Mike Hardman(39) scores a 1st NHL goal in his 5th game.

The 6’2″ 205 lbs. forward has skated roughly 17 shifts for 10+ minutes per outing.

Signed to a two year entry level deal through 2021/2022, he wasted no time getting situated, joining the taxi squad with the big club instead of heading to Rockford Icehogs to start his pro career.

He’s been with them for just over a month before getting his opportunity to show what the power pivot could do coming off only his 2nd campaign at Boston College Eagles, where he scored 10 goals and 9 assists in a COVID shortened 24 NCAA Division 1 Hockey East game schedule.

The 22-year Hanover, MA native is just getting started, obviously.

In 2 years for Utica Comets, under contract to New Jersey Devils scores pretty well, but for his 1st time, he elects to play his pro hockey elsewhere and signs HV71 for 2026/2027.

He will do well in the SHL.