Category: Juniors

24Jul

Nicholas Grabko (33)

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2nd year Bentley University Falcons‘ goaltender Nicholas Grabko(33) is definitely garnering some attention.

He has put up an impressive pair of victories vs. ranked clubs, but even in losses has performed with gymnastic-like theatrics, stopping pucks.

The almost unassuming 5’11” 181 lbs. net minder was a late add to the college after a 2nd season on good junior hockey stats for Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL, even though he was basically an upcoming star in the Chicago Mission 13U – 16U AAA.

For a 2nd time in 3 weeks, the 21-year old has been named Atlantic Hockey Goalie Of The Week.

He has decided to take on a graduate season at University Of Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks for 2024/2025 and we should watch him help his new college team win games.

In 20 games, he goes 5-11-4 with a 2.74 GAA and .899 SV%, which he takes to a 1st pro contract with Idaho Steelheads.

After 1 unsuccessful start, he finds himself on the move, signed by Toledo Walleye, where he notches a 1st ECHL win.

For 2025/2026, he leaves to sign with Yetis du Mont-Blanc of France2, which is likely to give himself a completely new start.

He returns to sign with Fresno Falcons of the FPHL, where we think he will loan up higher.

24Jul

Ethan Leyh (18)

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Bentley University Falcons‘ senior Ethan Leyh(18) scored a new college best (by a long shot) 13 goals and 16 assists in 35 games last season with a +11 rating.

The 6′ 195 lbs. forward played 3 full slates at Quinnipiac University Bobcats‘ scoring exactly 10 points in each of the sessions.

From Anmore, BC, he did 2 years of BCHL with Langley Rivermen before heading to school.

Having not played in the 2022/2023 campaign, it will be interesting to see what the 22-year old decides next.

As graduate captain a 2nd season, he scores a new college best 17 goals and 25 assists in 37 games to sign a 1st pro deal with the new Greensboro Gargoyles for his rookie frame, 2025/2026.

He got loaned up to Chicago Wolves for 2 games and for 2026/2027, he gets signed to an AHL deal with them.

24Jul

Zakary Karpa (59)

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Harvard University Crimson senior, 2nd year captain, center Zakary Karpa(59) is a New York Rangers‘ 6th round pick in the 2022 draft (#191 overall).

The 6’2″ 190 lbs. forward has yet to really score, despite how he plays mostly using his fairly large frame.

He did 1 year USNTDP before playing for a pair of USHL teams before heading to school.

From Greenwich, CT, the 22-year old might not be automatic to score an entry level contract, but we think produces as a pro.

In his last season, he scores just 1 goal and 6 assists in 31 games, but stays on the team who selected him’s radar and he signs for 2025/2026 with their affiliate Hartford Wolf Pack to an AHL deal.

He gets 1 goal and 3 assists in 24 games to earn another 1-year deal with the Wolf Pack.

In 34 games with their affiliate Bloomington Bison, he had 7 goals and 10 assists.

23Jul

Adam Samuelsson (14)

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Worcester Railers‘ big 6’7″ 6th year defenseman Adam Samuelsson(14) seems to be fitting in nicely with the style of his new team with 1 assist in 21 ECHL games and a +2 rating.

He started the season with Tahoe Knight Monsters, but played no games after returning from his 3rd year in Hockeyettan with Boras HC.

The former 7 game Boston College Eagles blue liner maybe didn’t gel at school after most of 2 years at USNTDP and returned to juniors.

He is scoring with this team, as he recorded a new best 11 assists last season and signs up to return a Railers for 2026/2027.

23Jul

Brandon Hickey (44)

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Undrafted 3rd year, former Boston University Terriers senior captain defenseman, Brandon Hickey(44) signs for 2021/2022 with Florida Everblades after spending the first three years of his pro career in the AHL.

The 6’2″ 200 lbs. blue liner signed a 2-year entry level deal with Buffalo Sabres upon completing college and spent two campaigns with affiliate Rochester Americans, but was left unqualified when it expired.

He agreed to terms with Chicago Wolves last season, although skated only 15 games in an almost completely blown 2020/2021.

The Leduc, AB native stayed close for all his youth hockey before joining Spruce Grove Saints, taking it up a notch in his 2nd frame with 4 goals and 19 assists, then another 5 helpers in 13 playoff contests on the way to the 2014 AJHL Championship.

He has great on-ice accountability with a +18 rating as a pro and +21 through college.

We think the 25-year old will continue find better success in the lower league.

He actually spent all of last season loaned up to Henderson Silver Knights, then Abbotsford Canucks, but will try to return to the sunny state for 2022/2023.

With the Everblades for 22 regular season matchups, good for 3 goals and 4 assists with a +9 rating, then added 3 assists in 22 playoff games on the way to a 2023 Kelly Cup Championship.

He was also back up in Nevada, getting 1 goal and 1 assist with a +3 rating through 17 games.

His efforts pay off and he gets a 1-year deal to play up.

For 2023/2024, he gets a new deal in a Silver Knights‘ sweater to continue.

In 35 games, he raises his point total slightly and is invited to work further and likely increase his load for another contract to stay in Henderson.

He still seems to be playing a bit of a reduced role with the team, but they seem to like having him around, so he is signed up for a 5th season in a Silver Knights‘ jersey.

In a new high 37 games, he scores 1 goal and 5 assists with a +5 rating and is definitely want to stick around as a Knights for 2026/2027.

23Jul

Anthony Romano (29)

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Clarkson University Golden Knights‘ graduate right wing Anthony Romano(29) leaves scoring 9 goals for a 3rd time and has now a twice best 13 assists.

The 5’11” 185 lbs. Arizona Coyotes‘ 6th round pick in the 2019 draft (#176 overall) won the USHL Clark Cup Championship with Sioux Falls Stampede the year he was selected.

From Richmond Hill, ON, the 23-year old seems like an easy NHL entry level sign.

He actually signs with Texas Stars for his 1st pro contract, a pto, but could get reassigned as well.

Through 8 games, he scores no points, but is wanted to return for his rookie AHL year, 2024/2025 in a Stars‘ jersey.

In his 2nd season on reassignment to Florida Everblades he puts up some pretty amazing points, including 17 in the playoffs to win a 2026 Kelly Cup.

For 2026/2027, he sees a good opportunity to sign in DEL with Lowen Frankfurt.

23Jul

Connor Clifton (75)

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7th year defenseman Connor Clifton(75) found himself flipped from the only team he’s known, Boston Bruins to Buffalo Sabres before becoming an unrestricted free agent and signs himself a very handsome 3-year $10M deal to help his new team’s blue line execute their end.

The 5’11” 194 lbs. blue liner was originally a Phoenix Coyotes‘ 5th round pick in the 2013 draft (#133 overall), but failed to sign, so entered into an AHL agreement with Providence Bruins to start his pro career before signing a 2-year NHL entry level deal with the big club.

He did 4 years at Quinnipiac University Bobcats, including his last as senior captain.

A Long Branch, NJ native, he played his way up through junior hockey finally arriving at a pretty excellent USNTDP frame before heading to school.

The 28-year old may be only first arriving at his 1st big deal.

He has 2 seasons of almost equal decent enough stats to get himself traded to Pittsburgh Penguins with a year remaining on his current deal.

An unrestricted free agent, he signs to return to Boston on a 2-year, $2.25M AAV deal that should work out to be a good, important contract.

23Jul

Shane Murphy (29 )

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Utica College Pioneers senior left wing Shane Murphy(29) signs a 1st pro contract with Birmingham Bulls and in 2 regular season SPHL games scores 1 goal and 1 assist to get started.

The 5’11” 181 lbs. forward has his best college scoring year as a junior with 13 goals and 15 assists in 30 games with a +27 rating.

He also scored pretty well as a senior.

From Oriskany, NY, the 25-year old played 2 years of NAHL juniors before school.

On their protected list, he will need a new contract for 2025/2026.

He’s an easy sign to return for his rookie season, 2025/2026 to be a Bulls.

An early season trade would send him to Fayetteville Marksmen, where his scoring ignited to 11 goals and 15 assists in 43  games.

He’s an obvious, easy sign to return for 2026/2027 as a Marksmen.

23Jul

Reilly Walsh (8)

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Faced with the prospects of no senior year, it was a no brainer for Harvard University‘s defensive wunderkid Reilly Walsh(8) to sign his three-year entry level with New Jersey Devils, the team that drafted him 3rd round, 2017, #81 overall.

In his minor league debut with affiliate Binghamton Devils, he gets credited for the overtime 4-3 game-winner and his first pro AHL goal and currently has 2 goals and 5 assists in 12 games, which is impressing big at the struggling parent club.

The 6′ 185 lbs. 21-year old blue liner may have to spend some time honing his game at the stage lower than the show but look for him to get an opportunity.

And after scoring new career bests: 9 goals and a whopping 34 assists in 69 games with a +11 rating for affiliate Utica Comets, gets him the nod for his NHL debut.

In his 1st game, he skated 20 shifts for 14:23, got an assist, had 2 shots, 2 blocks and 1 giveaway in a 5-4 loss.

The Framingham, MA gets traded to his hometown Boston Bruins as free agency looms after 2 seasons of 30+ assists in the minors.

He strikes his 3rd straight season of 9 goals in the minors, but shows maybe a bit more focus in the playoffs with 2 assists in 4 games.

For 2024/2025, he signs a 1-year, 2-way deal with Los Angeles Kings.

He would get 26 assists with affiliate Ontario Reign, but spots something more for 2025/2026 and signs with Barys Astana.

In 68 games, he posts 30 assists and gets an invite to another big league contract from Montreal Canadiens.