Category: Juniors

26Apr

Ryan Miotto (22)

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Canisius College Golden Griffins‘ senior right wing Ryan Miotto(22) has chosen to add another season to his studies and will join University Of Vermont Catamounts for the start of a graduate program.

The 6′ 185 lbs. forward punched through on scoring last season with 17 goals and 18 assists in 42 games, more than doubling his previous highs.

He was a very decent scorer in his 2nd BCHL junior session for Alberni Valley Bulldogs.

The 23-year old from Thorold, ON should do well in Hockey East.

He takes a decent season, playing a little different style of hockey to a 1st pro contract with Wheeling Nailers and he just got his 1st ECHL goal in his 5th appearance with a +3 rating.

26Apr

Hunter Johannes (21)

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University Of North Dakota Fighting Hawks‘ graduate left wing Hunter Johannes(21) had a fairly solid year of eligibility scoring 12 goals and 7 assists in 31 games with a +10 rating.

The big 6’3″ 209 lbs. forward oddly did best scoring as a senior at Lindenwood University Lions with point-per-game numbers, 13 goals and 16 assists in 28 games.

From Eden Prairie, MN, he did his high school hockey right there, finding his edge as a senior.

He seemed to bounce around junior hockey a bit, never quite sticking in one place too long before eventually heading to his 1st school of 3 years, American International College Yellowjackets.

Upon graduating, he signed a 1-year AHL with Grand Rapids Griffins for 2024/2025, but joins them on an ato.

He’s without points in 6 games, but we feel it’s just a matter of time.

25Apr

Chris Wagner (14)

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12th year center Chris Wagner(14) signs a 1-year deal to return to Colorado Avalanche, which almost certainly has the 32-year old seeing most of his playing time with their affiliate Colorado Eagles.

In his last couple of seasons under contract with Boston Bruins, he spent most of his playing time in the AHL with their affiliate Providence Bruins.

He was originally an Anaheim Ducks‘ 5th round pick in the 2010 draft (#122 overall) and mostly stayed with them for 6 years.

The 6’ 195 lbs. forward from Walpole, MA left after 2 years at Colgate University Raiders to turn pro and likely made a pretty good decision.

He of 363 appearances in the minors and 360 NHL games would be an amazing coach going forward.

17 games in the minors with 4 goals and 4 assists and a +3 rating and 10 up in the show for another 1 goal and 1 assist with another +3 rating and he is happily invited to wear an Avalanche jersey for another season.

25Apr

Cam Thiesing (15)

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Ohio State University Buckeyes‘ junior center Cam Thiesing(15) signs a 2-year 2-way NHL contract with NY Islanders and an undrafted, unrestricted free agent, leaving a year of school on the table.

He had 15 goals as a sophomore and 17 assists in his freshman year, but also scored well with 9 goals and 7 assists in 31 games last season.

The 6′ 183 lbs. forward did 3 years junior hockey and in his 2nd USHL with Green Bay Gamblers was very close to a point-per-game scorer.

From Franklin, TN, they obviously see something in the 23-year olds game they want now.

25Apr

Craig Needham (15)

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Providence College Friars‘ graduate center Craig Needham(15) scored a college best 7 assists and 11 points last season.

The Medford, MA native was a point-per-game player in high school and scored decently in his 2nd USHL session as captain with Youngstown Phantoms before committing to school.

His team is knocked out of Hockey East tournament play immediately and he wastes little time to sign an amateur tryout with Florida Everblades.

In 11 ECHL games, he didn’t register points and has yet to appear in the postseason.

25Apr

Hunter Shepard (30)

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Hershey Bears jumped fairly quickly to sign undrafted, former University Of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs‘ 2-time NCAA Champion, captain, goaltender Hunter Shepard(30) to a deal for 2020/2021.

The fairly large 6’1″ 210 lbs. net minder was reassigned to affiliate South Carolina Stingrays, where he has played 14 ECHL games, recording a 6’5-2 record with a 2.84 GAA and .915 SV% on a club headed to the postseason, as there was little room in the crease above for the young goalie.

He has gotten his opportunity to shine though in 2 AHL appearances delivering a pair of wins, including a debut shut out for a .50 GAA and .983 SV%.

The one-time NAHL Goaltender Of The Year in 2016, right before committing to college, the 25-year old has always seemed to work hard for any credit but has to have Washington Capitals step in and offer him an NHL entry level deal, as he is firmly on their radar.

For his efforts backstopping the Bears to a 12th Calder Cup Championship, he is rewarded with a 2-year, 2-way deal that is worth some handsome money wherever he throws on those pads.

He gets to start a 1st game, as the big club is out to a bit of a wobbly start and gets the W in a 6-4 contest, stopping 18 of 22 shots to potentially get a 2nd nod in another night.

His 2-1-1 record wasn’t bad, although maybe his numbers could have improved, but for a 2nd straight season with the affiliate, he posts a 27-4-3 record with a 1.76 GAA and .929 SV% to earn himself the Baz Bastien Award as the AHL’s Most Outstanding Goaltender and will once again look to push his club deep in the playoffs.

He’s all set with a 2-year contract through 2024/2025, so can continue to concentrate on winning.

25Apr

Jack Clement (20)

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Miami University (Ohi0) Redhawks‘ graduate defenseman Jack Clement(20) tied a college best 7 assists and signs a 1st deal with Cincinnati Cyclones.

The big 6’4″ 201 lbs. blue liner has skated 8 ECHL games with no points on a non-playoff team.

He won a 2018 NAHL Robertson Cup in his 1st year in the junior league and committed after more good play in his 2nd.

The 24-year old from Detroit, MI may have found a good landing spot close to school, but we shall see.

24Apr

Devon Paliani (77)

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Reading Royals‘ 2nd year center Devon Paliani(77) is scoring ECHL bests 16 goals, 25 assists and 41 points, but definitely needs to improve his -32 rating.

The 5’10” 170 lbs. forward from LaSelle, ON played 4 years OHL with a few teams before heading to Ryerson University Rams for 5 seasons, including the 2020/2021 no play COVID busted.

He did have 2 10+ goals and assists’ seasons in college.

The 27-year old show no signs his scoring would pop in his 1st frame with the team, but it did.