Category: Juniors

02Mar

Logan Neaton (31)

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Winnipeg Jets‘ 5th round pick in the 2019 draft (#144 overall) goaltender Logan Neaton(31) isn’t finding enough space in the cage for UMass Lowell Riverhawks, so after two tries goes through the transfer portal to commit to Miami University (Ohio) Redhawks for 2021/2022.

The large 6’4″ 205 lbs. net minder maybe wasn’t able to settle in Hockey East play after putting up stellar numbers, first for Fairbanks Ice Dogs of the NAHL, then even better with Prince George Spruce Kings going 32-8-5 with a league best 1.92 GAA, then posting a 16-1 mark with a 1.46 GAA and .940 SV% en route to a 2019 BCHL Championship.

He also had shutdown numbers at his local Brighton High USHS-MI.

The 22-year old may just need the belief he can play the minutes and backstop wins.

For his rookie season, he bounces around some ECHL teams to arrive at Kalamazoo Wings with a deal for 2024/2025.

Allen Americans are struggling some, so trade to bring him in to hopefully solidify the starter’s role with the team.

He continued to move and ended up with Kansas City Mavericks, where in 1 start he didn’t post the win, but had a 2.08 GAA and .938 SV%.

4 times moved with little starts and he goes to Indy Fuel, who hopefully look to use him a bit more.

01Mar

Seth Helgeson (2)

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9th year, veteran defenseman Seth Helgeson(2) recently appeared in his 500th AHL game with 5th year club, Bridgeport Islanders.

The 6’4″ 216 lbs. blue liner was originally a New Jersey Devils‘ 4th round pick in the 2009 draft (#114 overall) and played in their system for his first 4 seasons.

He skated his only games in the big league with the team and even got a 1st NHL goal in his 44th appearance, where he also had 3 assists and almost oddly a +1 rating.

The former 4-year University Of Minnesota Golden Gophers‘ d-man has never been a big point scorer, but does have 2 goals in the current frame.

If he adds another one, he will have a career high 3.

He’s 3 times had 10+ assists in the league and twice close.

The 31-year old has done well for himself and it’s a bit of wonder if he doesn’t go exploring for his next contract, just for some different kind of fun in the game.

For 2022/2023, he re-signs to stay in Connecticut another season.

He will return to captain the little Islanders for a 7th straight run.

It took him a minute, but he will return on a pto for a 8th season in a little Islanders‘ jersey, but you got to figure, unless he decides not to, he will sign.

And 7 games in, he officially re-signs.

01Mar

Jack Roberts (10)

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Islanders HC 3rd year right wing Jack Roberts(10) takes some impressive Premier junior numbers, 19 goals and 37 assists in 37 games to a 2025/2026 commit at Manhattanville University Valiants.

The 5’11” 179 lbs. forward started with the Elite club, but rolled 10 goals and 8 assists in 11 games to score a permanent call up.

From Middlefield, CT, the 20-year will be a welcome scorer for his new college club.

28Feb

C.J. Hapward (34)

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Suffolk University Rams‘ senior goalie (despite 5 college years listed) C.J. Hapward(34) is putting up career numbers with a 1.98 GAA and .929 SV%, as he won the opening game of the CNE playoffs in shutout fashion, 4-0.

The 5’11” 174 lbs. net minder came over after 3 years of little use at Colby College Mules to essentially becoming the starter at his new school.

His 2 years playing NAHL and USPHL/NCDC for many different teams didn’t likely go as planned.

From West Caldwell, NJ, the 25-year old as just continued to see his game and get better.

27Feb

Hudson Perry (93)

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Express Hockey Club 3rd year right wing Hudson Perry(93) commits to Rivier University Raiders for 2025/2026.

He has 14 goals and 14 assists in 37 games so far this season, very close to his 17, 16 marks in 45 games last year and is projected to surpass down the stretch.

The 5’11” 165 lbs. forward played himself up from a 1st EHLP, getting 18 goals and 7 assists.

From Nantucket, MA, the 21-year old will definitely help his new college team in the MASCAC conference and is the first from his town to play in D3 hockey.

26Feb

Thierry Lizotte (95)

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Northern Cyclones‘ 2nd year assistant captain, defenseman Thierry Lizotte(95) commits to SUNY Plattsburgh Cardinals for 2025/2026.

He had a USPHL/NCDC best 6 goals and 16 assists last season, but has kept decent pace with 2 goals and 15 assists in the current frame and is projected to surpass helpers and points marker.

The 6′ 190 lbs. blue liner from St. Francois, QC did 1 year of CCHL junior before transferring.

He will definitely help his college team shore up their zone.

25Feb

Jake Mendeszoon (8)

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Western New England University Golden Bears‘ senior defenseman Jack Mendeszoon(8) has a new college career best 7 assists in 22 games after transferring from 3 seasons at SUNY-Brockport Golden Eagles.

The big 6’4″ 194 lbs. blue liner played 2 seasons junior hockey with New Hampshire Avalanche and won the 2019 EHL Championship in his 1st year, then put up 32 assists in his 2nd frame.

From Metheun, MA, it will be interesting to see what the 24-year old chooses next.

He scores 1 goal and a new college best 14 assists, 15 points and takes them to a 1st pro contract with Evansville Thunderbolts, making him the 2nd from the team to do so with the SPHL club.

24Feb

Tanner Fritz (11)

Posted in College Hockey Player, Europe, Free Agent Signing, Juniors, Minor League Deal | Leave a comment

Undrafted 7th year right wing Tanner Fritz(11) signs a 2nd straight AHL contract, but will skate for heated CT opponents from where he’s played 198 games, Bridgeport (Sound Tigers) Islanders to Hartford Wolf Pack for 2021/2022.

The 5’11” 192 lbs. forward originally signed a minor league deal after 4 years at Ohio State University Buckeyes , including captain as a senior and junior assistant, to the only team he’s thus far appeared with, but was up to a 2-way NHL contract after his sophomore season in which he popped 19 goals and 23 assists.

He played all of his youth hockey and 4 years of junior hockey close to home with Grand Prairie Storm and won the 2009 AJHL Championship, then was voted most valuable player, scoring 70 points in 60 games, before heading off to college.

The 30-year old signed a pair of contracts with parent club New York Islanders, including a single 1-way deal, and played in 42 games with 3 goals and 5 assists.

It’s likely this could be his last time in the minors, as we’re predicting he leave for some hockey overseas before retirement.

After 2 years of playing up the road in Connecticut, he returns on a 1-year minor league deal with Bridgeport for 2023/2204.

After 20 games, scoring 1 goal and 6 assists, he may be getting a little bored as he closes in on 350 games played in the league.

He decides to leave and signs with Dinamo Minsk of the KHL, which should definitely bring some challenge and excitement back into his game.

Not surprisingly he does ok with 2 goals and 9 assists in 18 games, but decides not to try and return.

He waits a little and signs with SC Rapperswil-Jona Lakers of NL and with 5 goals and 7 assists in 15 games with a +3 rating, there’s little doubt he gets asked to return for 2025/2026.