Category: Juniors

20Jul

Todd Burgess (48)

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Rookie center Todd Burgess(48) signs his first pro contract with Manitoba Moose for 2021/2022.

The big 6’2″ 195 lbs. power forward will likely step right into his game when he gets to the AHL.

He graduated from Minnesota State University (Mankato) Mavericks after doing 4 years at RPI Engineers, connecting for 27 goals and 35 assists in 127 NCAA Division 1 games.

That was nothing compared to what the 25-year old, Phoenix, AZ native did in his last season of juniors for Fairbanks Ice Dogs, wracking up 95 points (38-57) in 60 NAHL games with a +25 ratings, then added another 5 goals and 9 assists in 12 playoff contests.

This output got him on the radar of Ottawa Senators, who drafted him in the 4th round of 2016 (#103 overall) but failed to get him under contract.

We think this could just be the start.

He maybe rounded out last season with some games down with Newfoundland Growlers, where he was very close to being a point-per-game player, but did also nab 7 goals and 6 assists as a rookie.

The big man stays in the league, but moves to a divisional foe for 2022/2023, Milwaukee Admirals.

Mostly reassigned to play with the not so good ECHL affiliate Norfolk Admirals, he still busts out some numbers scoring.

He next looks at something a bit different to skate and signs in Slovak Extraliga with HK Spisska Nova Ves and ran up the scoresheet big with 19 goals and 18 assists in 45 games with a +13 rating.

Not sure why is not continuing, unless he eyes something better by heading to HockeyAllsvenskan for 2024/2025, agreeing to terms with Mora IK and we suspect he will do exceedingly well again.

20Jul

Curtis Hall (10)

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Boston Bruins‘ 4th round pick in the 2018 draft (#119 overall), center Curtis Hall(10) signs his 3-year entry level deal that will officially begin at the onset of 2021/2022.

He left after two seasons at Yale University Bulldogs, where he had a career high 17 goals and 10 assists with a +14 rating in his sophomore campaign, only signing very deep into the season, as his college team elected out of ECAC play due to COVID restrictions.

The big 6’4″ 212 lbs. forward signed a kind of weird one-year spc to play for affiliate Providence Bruins and finished up 13 AHL games scoring his first pro goal.

At 21-years old, the Chagrin Falls, Ohio native is easily just getting his feet moving.

He was mostly in the system for 3-years, but also sent to the lower affiliate, Maine Mariners before being loaned to Grand Rapids Griffins.

Likely no qualifying offer to continue, he signs a minor league deal with Cleveland Monsters for 2024/2025.

 

19Jul

Joe Gatenby (4)

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2nd year defenseman Joe Gatenby(4) will somewhat oddly join his 4th ECHL team this season.

He started 2023/2024 skating 9 games for Fort Wayne Komets, but only 2 assists and a minus on-ice rating is traded Allen Americans.

The 6′ 190 lbs. blue liner stays with them for 23 games, but again scores no goals with 6 assists and a -6 and gets moved a 2nd time.

Newfoundland Growlers see something in his game they think will work for the Kelowna, BC native and sign him.

Unfortunately something happens with the team’s league standing and it disintegrates, leaving him to find another place to play yet again.

Idaho Steelheads step in fairly quickly and move him closer to home to play his next hockey.

He wouldn’t come away with any points in 3 regular season and 2 playoff games, but was a +2.

For 2024/2025, he looks to sign with Storhamar of EliteHockey Ligaen and should fit in nicely there.

18Jul

Cooper Zech (68)

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4th year defenseman Cooper Zech(68) gets a little bit of a new lease on hockey life with a trade that sends him from a very decent season with Lehigh Valley Phantoms, scoring a goal and 10 assists with a +3 rating and their parent club Philadelphia Flyers in an early season dish to Chicago Blackhawks, where he’s expected to report to Rockford Icehogs.

The 5’9″ 161 lbs. blue liner only spent 1 year at Ferris State University Bulldogs before turning pro on a 2-year entry level deal with Boston Bruins.

He put up a huge amount of assists in his one BCHL junior campaign for Wenatchee Wild, amassing 58 assists in 58 games.

The 23-year old from South Lyon, MI, who had a successful little swing on loan to Slovakia with HK Nitra during the pandemic, will likely always have to prove himself.

At the trade deadline, he finds himself moved as a pawn in the deal that sends Patrick Kane to New York Rangers.

He may was a bit under-utilized in suburban Chicago, but should get more efforts with Hartford Wolf Pack, if not reassigned further done for a bit.

Reassigned down to Indy Fuel, he played only 1 game with the team.

For 2023/2024, he returns for a full session, signing a 1-year deal with HC Kosice of Slovak Extraliga.

He does well here, scoring 3 goals and 15 assists in 32 games with a +13 rating in a very tough league, but has maybe been wooed to join the EIHL and signs with Nottingham Panthers for 2024/2025.

18Jul

Brandon Kruse (78)

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Vegas Golden Knights‘ 5th round pick in the 2018 draft (#135 overall), left wing Brandon Kruse(78) has taken up residence on a pto with their affiliate Henderson Silver Knights after graduating a 5th year at Boston College Eagles.

He has yet to sign his entry level deal, but is likely making a bit of an argument with an assist in his 2nd AHL game.

The small 5’9″ 158 lbs. forward originally did 4 years at Bowling Green State University Falcons and was always good for 20+ assists, 31 as a sophomore.

He only did a single NAHL season in juniors before heading to school.

The 23-year old from Saline, MI definitely has the skills to gain notice.

For 2022/2023, he scores a new contract with Toronto Marlies.

He plays all of his games with affiliate Newfoundland Growlers, scoring 7 goals and 37 assists with a +8 rating through 69 games.

For 2023/2024, he signs with Toledo Walleye and should find himself a ton of success in the ECHL.

As predicted, he finds all kinds of success with his new team, scoring 18 goals, 36 assists and a +23 rating through 70 games, then another 11 points in 14 playoff matchups.

Well, he’s a fish now and will be in a Walleye uniform 2024/2025.

18Jul

Mathew Santos (16)

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Maine Mariners bring back last season’s leading scorer, 3rd year right wing Mathew Santos(16) after scoring a handy 26 goals and 33 assists with a +3 rating.

After 4 years in the OHL, the 6′ 183 lbs. forward played a single season for Toledo Walleye as a rookie, but then took a season off before departing for Ryerson University Rams, where he spent the next three years though only played his 1st two there and maybe got COVID knocked for his 3rd.

It will be zero surprise to see the 27-year old Etobicoke, ON native add to his ECHL totals.

For a 2nd straight season he blows the lid off scoring with 16 goals and 28 assists in 38 games, while getting loaned up to Milwaukee Admirals for 17 AHL games.

He will try to take his game up a notch, signing for 2023/2024 in Slovak Extraliga with HC Dukla Michalovce.

An amazing season, scoring 22 goals and 14 assists through 46 games, then adds another 8 points in 6 playoff matchups with a +7, but he oddly signs in DEL2 for 2024/2025 with Ravensburg Towerstars.

17Jul

Mike Gelatt (27)

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University Of Wisconsin-River Falls Falcons‘ graduate right wing Mike Gelatt(27) wastes little time signing a pto with Peoria Rivermen to get some pro playing time experience in.

The 6’3″ 205 lbs. forward was good last season, but maybe not quite what he was able to put together as a senior for Skidmore College Thoroughbreds, when he got 11 goals and 12 assists in 25 games before getting eliminated in  the NEHC Tournament Final.

He has a 1st SPHL goal in his 6th sighting and 2 assists in 7 total matchups thus far.

The 25-year old from Middletown, NJ could easily play himself up a level.

He comes away with 11 goals and 16 assists in 34 games with a +14 rating, then adds 6 points in 7 playoff matchups.

For 2024/2025, he receives a 2-way ECHL contract with the new Bloomington Bison.