Nashville Predators‘ 5th round pick in the 2016 draft (#138 overall), former outstanding point-per-game Boston University Terriers graduate, Patrick Harper(15) signed his two-year entry level deal as the plug was being pulled on the playoffs for the college hockey season and upon starting up has been mostly playing for Chicago Wolves but did start the season in the ECHL on a complete tear with Florida Everblades scoring 5 goals and 4 assist in 5 games.
The small 5’7″ 160 lbs. forward obviously knows how to find his open space.
He only has a pair of assists in 12 AHL games with a -6 but our bet is even with the bigger bodies, the puck is going to start to find him and he will be putting up stats.
The only 22-year old was drafted straight out of high school prep, played a pair of the MHSL sessions, scoring huge numbers, then finally to the USHL with Omaha Lancers before arriving at college a super youngster.
9 games into the new season without striking for affiliate Milwaukee Admirals, he has decided to opt out of the final year of his deal and heads to Finland’s Liiga, signing with HPK for the remainder of 2021/2022.
He would connect for 2 goals and 6 assists in 22 games, and has decided to opt for a bit of a lower challenge, signing with Mora IK of Allsvenskan for 2022/2023.
He will likely do very well in tier 2 Sweden’s hockey and be moved up.
A trade would send him to Kristianstads IK for most of last season, putting up decent enough numbers.
The New York native has made a decision to return to the US for 2023/2024, signing a 1-year deal with South Carolina Stingrays, which should see good results for both team and player.
4th year right wing Alec Butcher(11) put up career ECHL numbers by a pretty large stretch last season for Rapid City Rush, scoring 23 goals and 30 assists before adding another 5 points in 11 playoff matchups.
For 2022/2023, he was traded and subsequently signed a 1-year deal with Reading Royals.
In 10 games, the 5’10” 183 lbs. forward has 2 goals and 2 assists.
He did have 10+ goals in each of his first 2 seasons and 18 assists in his 2nd run with Wheeling Nailers.
The Anchorage, AK native skated two campaigns in juniors NAHL for local Kenai Brown Bears , being named league MVP in his 2nd, before heading off to 3 years at Sacred Heart University, where as a sophomore he recorded 22 assists in 37 games, but left in his senior year to head home to University Of Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves.
At 28-years old, he could be getting a bit of a late jump on scoring.
In a full-slate of 72 games he busts out 21 goals and 28 assists with a +8 rating and he will be back in a Royals‘ uniform for 2023/2024.
Undrafted 2nd year defenseman Zach Giuttari(44) re-signs with Hartford Wolf Pack for a 2nd season.
He signed a 1-game ato after graduating as senior captain from Brown University Bears, where he put up three years of decent point production.
The very decently sized 6’2″ 190 lbs. blue liner spent only one season in juniors for Chilliwack Chiefs with good numbers (8-9) in 54 BCHL games.
His 3 goals and 3 assists as a rookie in a ridiculous season of 22 AHL games with a +4 are good stats to keep him on board.
The 25-year old, Warwick, R.I native will likely do much better this year as it will be more normal and he’ll have one run under his belt.
Turns out he’s a hell of a lacrosse player too.
After 120+ games in Connecticut, he gets shipped across the country for a new start with Abbotsford Canucks.
In 17 games, he gets 3 assists, then adds another 2 in 6 playoff matchups to somehow land an amazing deal to head to the SHL and play games for Vaxjo Lakers HC in 2023/2024.
11th year left wing Matt Nieto(83) signs a new 2-year NHL deal with Pittsburgh Penguins through 2024/2025 for $900,000 AAV.
He was originally a San Jose Sharks‘ 2nd round pick in the 2011 draft (#47 overall), he skated almost 4 years for them before getting traded to Colorado Avalanche, where he spent close to the next 4 and then would return to the Sharks.
The 5’11” 190 lbs. forward did 3 years at Boston University Terriers after 2 campaigns with the USNTDP.
From Long Beach, CA, at 30-years old, he’s still ticking and could still be worth 10+ goals, 20+ assists.
New York Islanders‘ 11th year defenseman Scott Mayfield(24) signs a new 7-year deal to stay with the only team he’s played 428 NHL and 223 AHL games with.
Originally a 2nd round pick in the 2011 draft (#34 overall), he’s huge at 6’5″ 220 lbs.
He did 2 years at University Of Denver Pioneers after 2 USHL stints with Youngstown Phantoms.
The 30-year old, St. Louis, MO native is set to make $3.5M AAV for each year of his deal.
7th year center Jeff Kubiak(36) re-signs with the only team his ever agreed to a pro contract with Bridgeport Islanders for 2023/2024.
For a 3rd AHL frame, he was able to record 20+ assists last season.
The 4-year Cornell University Big Red forward twice had 10+ assists in college play and was a +19 rating.
At 6’3″ 212 lbs., the 29-year old is certainly a good guy to have around.
Undrafted rookie right wing Todd Goehring(29) signs with Worcester Railers for 2023/2024 after graduating 5 years at Sacred Heart University Pioneers, then signing an ato to start his pro work at Atlanta Gladiators, but in 6 games got no points.
The 5’11” 175 lbs. forward split junior seasons in the USHL and NAHL with Chicago Steel and New Jersey Junior Titans before reporting to school.
From Wayside, NJ, he should fit in well with his new ECHL team.
Undrafted Pittsburgh Penguins‘ 8th year center Evan Rodrigues(53) had a career best 24 assists and 43 points last season, but was going to earn to much heading into the new frame to keep around, so the unrestricted agent was free to hunt for a new deal.
The 5’11” 180 lbs. forward signs with 2022 Stanley Cup Champions Colorado Avalanche for 2022/2023.
He has been a full-time NHL player for the last 4 seasons.
A bit of an inconsistent performer through 4 years at Boston University Terriers, he completely came alive as a senior assistant captain, striking for 21 goals and 40 assists in 41 NCAA Division 1 games with a +30 rating.
39 points in 69 games for his new club, then 5 points in 7 in the playoffs and this unrestricted free agent at 29-years of age is looking good for a long-term deal.
Florida Panthers waste little time, offering him $3M AAV through 2026/2027.
Holy Cross College Crusaders‘ 2024/2025 commit, right wing Will Reardon(24) will play his only year of junior hockey with Northeast Generals this season.
The extra large 6’7″ 205 lbs. forward completed his studies at Loomis Chaffee School USHS-Prep with decent point totals.
From Philadelphia, PA, the 19-year old, who was recently caught in late August preseason NAHL action is likely ready to get moving at the next level.
Wheeling Nailers re-sign Cornell University Big Red graduating senior defenseman Sebastian Dirven(6) after he joined the team on an ato after finishing up tournament play with 1 goal and 2 assists in 4 games.
The 6’3″ 205 lbs. forward is an easy re-sign for 2023/2024 to see what he has in a full 72 game frame.
From Bainsville, ON, he played 2 junior frames in the CCHL before heading to Central Illinois Flying Aces for 2 USHL seasons prior to college.
He should find the room he needs in the ECHL to be a big goal scorer as a rookie in 2023/2024.
