Category: Juniors

31Jul

Jordan Kawaguchi (77)

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Idaho Steelheads‘ 2nd year center Jordan Kawaguchi(77) took a bit to return for the new season after scoring 26 goals and 26 assists in 58 ECHL games with a +25 rating.

He was initially signed to their upper affiliate Texas Stars after graduating North Dakota University Fighting Hawks, where he scored 1 goal and 1 assist in 3 games upon joining them post school, then tallied 6 goals and 17 assists in 49 AHL games, as a rookie.

The 5’9″ 185 lbs. forward was a huge scorer in the BCHL as twice captain for Chilliwack Chiefs, leaving them as a more than a point-per-game performer.

He has another strong, point-per-game campaign that he will next take to the EIHL, where he signs with Belfast Giants for 2024/2025, which should heed amazing results.

After a 17 goal and 20 assist in 50 game season, with another 4 (2-2) in the playoff to win a 2025 EIHL Cup Championship, which also means he’s a cinch to return to the Giants in 2025/2026.

31Jul

Jake Gaudet (25)

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Cleveland Monsters‘ 2nd year center Jake Gaudet(25) returns on a new 2-year AHL deal to see if he can improve on his 3 goals and 7 assists in 40 games for 2022/2023 and beyond.

The 6’2″ 201 lbs. former UMass Minutemen senior captain was a part of the 2021 NCAA Division 1 Championship and left a +36 player at college.

An Ottawa, ON native, he spent 3 seasons with Kemptville 73’s, scoring 22 goals and 27 assists as a 2nd year skater in the CCHL.

The 26-year old must be happy he doesn’t have to think about a contract for at least the next couple of frames.

He was limited to only 19 games in his 1st season, but returned to play 49 last season, then scored 5 points in 12 playoff games to earn yet another contract to continue his development in Cleveland.

Acquired by Providence Bruins, his scoring picks up right away with 2 goals and 3 assists in 3 games, but oddly isn’t credited for the playoffs.

For 2025/2026, he decides to head over to the EIHL and signs with Belfast Giants for 2025/2026.

31Jul

David Cotton (13)

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Carolina Hurricanes‘ 6th round pick in the 2016 draft (#169 overall) center David Cotton(13) is blowing up the AHL scoring in his rookie season with 6 goals and 4 assists with a +8 rating in 12 games for Chicago Wolves.

He would easily be getting a look from the NHL level if his parent club wasn’t so good, but may just stay in the minors and look to make the big league out of training camp next season.

The 6’2″ 200 lbs. power forward has always been a good scorer in 4 years at Boston College, putting up his best numbers overall totals last campaign scoring 15 goals and new bests 24 assists and 39 points as team captain.

This is an overall player/skater that easily went in later rounds as he was seemingly just getting going in his one year of juniors with Waterloo Blackhawks of the USHL.

His progress should be easy to follow and he’s even signed alongside brother Jason in his pro contract.

He wasn’t given a qualifying offer as a restricted free agent to stay, so for 2022/2023, he signs a minor league deal to join the brand new Coachella Valley Firebirds.

After appearing in only 2 games with a good team, he gets himself traded to San Diego Gulls for a necessary new start.

In 34 games with his new team, he scores 4 goals and 5 assists with a -13 rating on a non-playoff contender.

For 2023/2024, he makes a smart move, signing with Florida Everblades, where his scoring talents should finally emerge as a pro.

After 7 games with 2 assists, he receives a trade to a team that seems to really want him, Kansas City Mavericks, another good landing spot, then scores a goal in his 1st game.

He would excel with his new team, scoring 14 goals and 24 assists in 41 games with a +25 rating, then connecting solidly in the playoffs, so he will re-sign to stay in KC for 2024/2025.

As the new captain, he records a best 22 goals and 25 assists in 54 games, then added another 10 in 13 playoff matchups.

For 2025/2026, it’s a easy match for his return 2025/2026 to the Mavericks.

31Jul

Nick Zabaneh (45)

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Boston University Terriers‘ senior center Nick Zabaneh(45) finishes up with a 2nd season of 8 goals, raises his assist total to the same number and leaves with a college best 16 to sign a 1st deal, an ato with Providence Bruins.

In the 5’10” 183 lbs. forward scored a goal in his AHL debut.

We do believe he may have signed a contract this morning (or last night) and played his 1st game this afternoon.

He had a pair of successful USHL frames with Green Bay Gamblers before committing to school.

It would be a little ironic to see pro hockey ice easier to score on than Hockey East.

After 32 games with Charlotte Checkers last season, scoring 2 goals and 2 assists, he re-signs to stay for 2025/2026.

30Jul

Ben Poisson (12)

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University Of Maine Black Bears‘ graduate assistant captain, left wing Ben Poisson(12) accepts a 1-year ECHL deal with Greenville Swamp Rabbits for 2024/2025.

The 6’1″ 200 lbs. played a college high 37 games last season, but scored better as senior with 9 goals and 17 assists.

From Vancouver, BC, the 24-year old played 3 BCHL years with Prince George Spruce Kings.

In his rookie frame, he plays 59 games, scoring 3 goals and 7 assists with a +1 rating to gain an invite to return to be a Swamp Rabbits for 2025/2026.

30Jul

Grant Hebert (93)

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After 8 games into the 2022/2023 as a 2nd year graduate center Grant Hebert(93) at University Of Maine Black Bears, scoring 1 goal and 2 assists has decided to turn pro, signing for the remainder of the session with Allen Americans.

He transferred in after 3 years at Robert Morris University Colonials, where he put up a college best 8 goals and 15 assists as a junior.

The burly 6’3″ 191 lbs. 25-year old forward from St.Andrews West, ON should be able to connect his scoring in the ECHL.

He would get 8 goals and 18 assists in 37 games, then adds another 6 points (2-4) in 11 playoff matchups with a +1 rating as he gains comfort with his new team.

Makes complete sense for him to gain a new 1-year deal to stay in Allen for his sophomore frame.

In 43 games, he grabs 10 goals and 10 assists that he will take with him to his new deal with Manchester Storm of the EIHL, where he should be able to help them.

He scores pretty much bonzo for his overseas team at point-per-game pace, but has decided to return closer to home and sign with Norfolk Admirals for the rest of this term.

In 24 games, he scores 5 goals and 11 assists, then gets 9 points in 11 playoff games with a +2 rating to easily get an invitation to return to Admirals for a full frame, 2025/2026.

30Jul

T.J. Lloyd (6)

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University Of Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks‘ graduate, assistant captain defenseman T.J. Lloyd(6) had a 3-time tying 3 goal season with new college best 16 assists and 19 points in 34 games.

He also scored 3 goals as a freshman at Bowling Green State University Falcons before transferring after his sophomore year.

The 5’10” 179 lbs. blue liner 4 times reached 10+ assists.

He did 3 junior frames and in his 2nd won the 2018 AJHL Championship, then as team captain was voted most outstanding d-man.

From Lloydminster, SK, the 23-year old signs a 1st pro deal with Savannah Ghost Pirates and has no points in 3 ECHL games, but is a +2 rating.

He signs to play his rookie campaign with Wichita Thunder in 2024/2025.

In 66 games, he scores 9 goals and 16 assists and earns himself an easy contract to return for 2025/2026 as a Thunder.

30Jul

Josh McDougall (23)

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Mercyhurst University Lakers‘ senior defenseman Josh McDougall(23) wasted little time signing a pro contract once his team was eliminated from tournament play and agreed to an ato with Wichita Thunder.

The 5’10” 181 lbs. blue liner took a college career best 3 goals and 15 points to 5 ECHL games with no points, but a +1 rating.

A Prince Albert, SK native, he skated two junior seasons with Nipiwin Hawks and had most points by a defenseman (74), was voted best defenseman and won the 2018 SJHL Championship before heading to school.

The 23-year old should be able to set himself up nicely with a new deal for 2022/2023.

He comes off his 1st pro experience, fresh out of college at the end of last season, and signs a new 1-year deal with Indy Fuel.

After 19 games and 3 assists with a +2 rating, he gets traded and then traded again to end up with Norfolk Admirals.

27 games into his stint with his new club, he gets a first goal in the league for a puck keeper.

Through 41 games, he would score 3 and pick up 7 assists, which is enough to invite him back to put on the Admirals‘ sweater for 2023/2024.

As a 3rd year d-man his scoring exploded to the tune of 6 goals and a monster 39 assists with a +24 rating to re-sign to return for a 4th year in Norfolk.