Undrafted 4th year defenseman Hayden Shaw(82) takes 3 AHL contracts for Manitoba Moose and solid play in the ECHL for Trois-Riveries Lions last season, scoring 6 goals and 17 assists with a +5 in 33 games, then added another 5 points in 7 playoff contests to a 1-year deal with Nurnberg Ice Tigers of DEL for 2022/2023.
The 5’11” 194 lbs. blue liner is an accountable force, maintaining a +33 rating through 4 years at University Of North Dakota Fighting Hawks.
A Woodbury, MN native, the26-year old should do well in Germany’s top league.
In 46 games, he puts in 7 goals and 11 assists, which is good enough to secure him another year for the Ice Tigers.
He is liked in the town of Germany and signs up to stay through 2024/2025 and be an Ice Tigers.
2nd year left wing Stevie O’Connor(17) switches up teams, going over and maybe up slightly, signing with Kalix HC of Hockeyettan after starting a 2nd season for JHT Kalajoki in Suomi-sarja, the 3rd tier league in Finland.
He heads to Sweden’s similar level league.
The 6′ 190 lbs. forward from Marshfield, MA did 4 years at Wesleyan University Cardinals, only scoring decently as a senior assistant captain.
He did 1 season juniors with Boston Jr. Bruins USPHL/NCDC after graduating high school at Milton Academy.
The 25-year old is out there exploring pro hockey options quite nicely.
3rd year center Nolan Vesey(11) is off to his best start with a pair of goals and an assist in 5 ECHL games with new contract club, Worcester Railers.
The North Reading, MA native sort came home to a degree, signing with the close to home team for 2021/2022.
A one-time Toronto Maple Leafs‘ 6th round pick in the 2014 draft (#158 overall), he was chosen after an exceptional one year of junior hockey for South Shore Kings USPHL Premiere team, and then went on to attend University Of Maine Black Bears for 4 seasons, but never signed.
He was three times a 10+ goals and 10+ assists player in Hockey East.
The 6′ 185 lbs., 26-year old forward seems to be a bit of an underachiever, considering his brother Jimmy is a full-time NHL skater.
After throwing in a career high by a long shot 12 goals and 28 assists with a +13 rating in 62 games as assistant captain last season and a 3-game loan up to Springfield Thunderbirds, he decides to stick around in central MA for a 2nd run.
He posts a career best 13 goals last season in the lower league, but his eyes are open for opportunities leading in his next stage and he maybe a tiny bit oddly late signs with DVTK Jegesmedvek of Erste Liga for the remainder of the frame.
Mercyhurst University Lakers‘ graduate, senior captain center Geoff Kitt(10) signs a 1st pro deal with Kansas City Mavericks for 2022/2023.
In his last year, he scored a college career best 9 assists and 12 points, which isn’t a lot, but we think the 6’3″ 198 lbs. forward will open up some space to score in the ECHL.
He was an almost point-per-game scorer in his 2nd and 3rd year of CCHL juniors for Carleton Place Canadians.
The 25-year old from Sioux Lookout, ON will be an interesting watch.
He did try something new signing with EV Duisburg of Germany3 and scored decently, but was hampered by an horrendous +/-.
So, the player who skated exactly 1 SPHL game on reassignment before agreeing with a couple Austrian leagues returns.
Tulsa Oilers think they can turn the big man into a scorer.
Western New England University Golden Bears‘ senior goalie transferred from 2 years at Riviers University Raiders, which followed a single frame at Becker College Hawks before that school went belly-up.
The 6′ 181 lbs. net minder has definitely played on some teams that have struggled to win on the college level.
He did 2 years with New Hampshire Avalanche, posting 15-6 record with a 2.00 GAA and .915 SV%, so the 24-year old can win games.
The Peabody, MA native graduated St. Mary’s High USHS-MA with impressive numbers.
New Jersey 87’s 2nd EHL year defenseman Cole Douglas(7) is putting up junior career best stats with 5 goals and 12 assists in 31 games after only scoring 4 points in 32 games last season.
The 6′ 185 lbs. blue liner commits to St. Michael’s College Purple Knights for 2024/2025.
He actually left for the NOJHL to start junior hockey, but that experiment for the Gibsonia, PA native lasted only 9 games.
East Coast Wizards‘ 2nd year center George Kolovos(8) commits to Wentworth Institute Of Technology Leopards for 2024/2025 after a 2nd great EHL season.
The 5’11” 179 lbs. forward scored 20 goals and 29 assists in 42 games last season and has 13, 12 in 19 this frame.
He is from Dollard-des-Ormeaux, QC, is 20-years old and will definitely be some scoring help for the CCC team.
Rookie center Hugo Reinhardt(13) heads home to Sweden signing for 2020/2021 with Timra IK of Allsvenskan after 4 years at American International College, which follow a single USHL campaign for Fargo Force after undergoing most of his earlier hockey with Frolunda HC.
The 5’11” 201 lbs. forward had 5 goals and 3 assists with a +3 rating in 51 games as a rookie, heading into the qualifiers.
We think it would be almost bizarre if the 24-year didn’t build his game and play himself into a contract in the upper SHL before too long.
For 2022/2023, he leaves Sweden for the EIHL and signs with Dundee Stars.
We think his game will find more success in this league.
He scores a bit of a disappointing 5 goals and 9 assists with a -23 on a team that struggled for wins and will next take his game to Ligue Magnus, agreeing to 2023/2024 with Anglet Hormadi.
After 24 games with only 3 goals and 3 assists and a dreadful -17 rating, he ups and leaves for the new BeNe Liga, joining Liege Bulldogs for the remainder of 2024 on the schedule.
Trois-Rivieres Lions‘ rookie left wing Maxim Trepanier(15) has 5 goals and 1 assist as 2023/2024 rolls in.
The 5’11” 190 lbs. forward took a bit of an interesting little journey before turning pro.
From St-Jean-sur-Richilieau, QC, he did 4 years in the QMJHL, leaving the Quebec development league in his 3rd season to start at the higher junior level.
He made the smart decision to continue his education as COVID was locking down society as we knew it and enrolled at Concordia University Stingers, where he stayed and score point-per-game stats for 3 years.
The 24-year old has hockey pro written all over him and we are sure he will gain scoring footing in the ECHL.
He actually decides to bolt and leaves for EliteHockey Ligaen signing with Storhamar for the remainder of the frame.
University Of New England Nor’easters‘ senior center Dawson Ellis(7) transferred in after his 1st 2 frames, playing few games at Adrian College Bulldogs.
The 5’8″ 150 lbs. forward has 2 goals and 2 assists in 14 games, while he had 3 goals and 5 assists through 24 games as a junior.
From Trent Hill, ON, he did 3 years of junior hockey for Wellington Dukes, taking his game up with each session, but winning a 2018 OJHL Championship in his first session.
The 24-year old plays hard and is a fun watch.
