Category: Juniors

01Aug

Cameron Hughes (24)

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Unrestricted 5th year free agent left wing Cameron Hughes(24) signs a 2-year 2-way deal with Seattle Kracken, getting him slightly closer to his Edmonton, AB home.

Originally a Boston Bruins‘ 6th round pick in the 2015 draft (#165 overall), he was with them through four seasons, scoring a career high 14 goals and 31 assists in 59 AHL games, serving as assistant captain for affiliate Providence Bruins last session.

The 5’11” 181 lbs. forward was senior captain at University Of Wisconsin Badgers, where he tallied 20+ assists as a sophomore and junior.

At just 25-years old with 2 games NHL experience to his resume, he could just be starting to come of age.

He blows up scoring with new career highs in goals, points and plus/minus rating for the affiliate Coachella Valley Firebirds, helping them to the Calder Cup Finals both seasons.

An unrestricted free agent, he signs a 1-year, 2-way deal with Dallas Stars, likely spotting a hole for some play at the higher level.

01Aug

Max Plante (10)

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USNTDP 2nd year center Max Plante(10) is an assist scoring machine and it’s definitely spotted, as he is chosen by Detroit Red Wings in the 2nd round of the 2024 NHL draft (#47 overall).

The 5’11” 180 lbs. forward had a combined 69 assists last season.

From Hermanntown, MN, the 18-year old is likely ready to get to some college hockey at his commit, University Of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs for 2024/2025.

31Jul

Alex Kile (23)

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Undrafted 5th year left wing Alex Kile(23) circles back to re-sign with Maine Mariners after a year away, when they had to make the decision not to play hockey for 2020/2021.

He signed with Florida Everblades and matched his ECHL career high from 2019/2020 with 31 points, but also managed to score a new best 25 goals.

The 6′ 201 lbs. forward’s best season was likely his 2nd, as he managed three loans to the AHL, including an extended 33 game look from Laval Rocket, scoring 5 goals and 2 assists.

He was a solid skater through 4 years at University Of Michigan Wolverines, where he served as team captain as a senior.

The Troy, MI native played a pair of seasons in juniors and won the 2012 Clark Cup in his first USHL year with Green Bay Gamblers.

At 27-years old, it would be little surprise to see him leave for better opportunities overseas, unless he’s already lining up things post-playing career closer to home.

He was loaned up to Lehigh Valley Phantoms mid-season and would skate 27 games, getting 4 goals and 3 assists and be called up and returned on a couple of occasions.

For 2022/2023, he’s played his way up and scores himself an AHL contract to continue in PA.

He plays more games with affiliate Maine Mariners, putting up point-per-game numbest in the ECHL and when recalled for 19 games he scored 2 goals and 2 assists.

The now 29-year old is still impressive enough and a heck of a great teammate in the room to score a new 1-year deal to stay.

For 2024/2025, he decides to head back to the Everblades, where certainly he was able to score quite nicely and maybe concedes a little to play his hockey at a lower level, for now.

29Jul

Troy Grosenick (31)

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9th year net minder Troy Grosenick(31) signs a 1-year, 2-way contract early in unrestricted free agency with Boston Bruins.

The 6’1″ 195 lbs. goalie has been under contract with 7 NHL teams, but oddly is only credited with 4 big league games, 2 with first club deal, San Jose Sharks and 2 last season under contract with Los Angeles Kings.

His numbers going back to a pair of years at junior hockey through 3 being ultra stingy at Union College Dutchmen and 258 AHL starts have been solidly good.

The crease where he’s heading is maybe a big crowded but he could potentially see another game in the show 2021/2022.

After limited use last frame in Philadelphia Flyers‘ system with Lehigh Valley Phantoms, he finds a really good one for himself moving forward, a 1-year deal with a team he’s familiar with Nashville Predators that looks to have him train the youngsters with affiliate Milwaukee Admirals in 2023/2024, only 4 years removed from the last time here.

Next, he heads to Minnesota Wild for a 1st time and is already said to report to affiliate Iowa Wild, where he will be a valuable help.

29Jul

Cameron Crotty (95)

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Big 6’3″ 183 lbs. defenseman Cameron Crotty(95) was an Arizona Coyotes‘ 3rd round pick in the 2017 draft (#82 overall), originally reassigned to start his pro career of Norway for Sparta Sarpsborg, scoring 3 assists in 7 Eliteserian games.

He returned at the beginning of the AHL season in February and has been skating games with affiliate Tuscon Roadrunners scoring, well, 3 assists in 25 games with a handy +5 rating.

What he may not score, he totally makes up for in the punishing accountability for opposing players.

After a disappointing suspension of the 2020 NCAA playoffs, the almost 22-year old would have headed into his senior year at Boston University but instead signed a three-year entry level deal to turn pro.

It may not take him too long in the minors to get a look from the big club.

He would take up his game, skating 2 seasons with the affiliate and this season has a very respectable 3 goals and 9 assists in 45 games with a +5 rating.

His play earns him an NHL look and he is recalled to play his debut, going 16 shifts for 10:03 ice time with 2 block shots, 4 hits and left the game with a -1 rating in a 4-2 loss.

At the end of his entry level deal, he is not retained and quickly signed by Minnesota Wild for 2024/2025.