9th year right wing Josh Archibald(15) circles back to the team that drafted him in the 6th round of 2011 (#174 overall), Pittsburgh Penguins to sign a 1-year NHL deal for 2022/2023.
The 5’10” 176 lbs. oddly played his fewest games with the team he 1st skated for before being traded to Arizona Coyotes, where he finished playing 39 games, his rookie season 4 years into his playing career.
He would next sign a 1-year deal with Edmonton Oilers, where he was decent enough with 12 goals to keep on board for another two years, but in the 2nd year of that contract came down with a weird heart condition that sidelined him until the playoffs, where he returned for 13 games, recording an assist.
The 29-year old, former University Of Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks from Regina, SK will likely find some room to possible put up some career numbers.
Through 62 games, he scores 6 goals and 6 assists with a +6 rating, but as an unrestricted free agent looks around to find a 2-year deal with Tampa Bay Lightning to hopefully increase those numbers.
Harvard University Crimson senior center Austin Wong(27) signs a 1st pro deal to head to Russia’s only China-based team, Kunlun Red Star for his rookie season, 2023/2024.
The 5’11” 190 lbs. Winnipeg Jets’ 7th round pick in the 2018 draft (#has not been the most prolific of scorers in college, having his best frame as a junior with 2 goals and 6 assists in 32 games.
He did score well in his last session of AJHL junior hockey for Okotoks Oilers and the COVID season the ECAC took off and he went to play most of a season for Fargo Force.
It would be no surprise to see the 22-year old from Cochrane, AB, a decent banger around the net score some in the KHL.
USNTDP 2nd year defenseman Zach Schulz(8) commits to play sort of close to his South Lyon, MI home at University Of Wisconsin Badgers for 2023/2024.
The 6’1″ 191 lbs. 18-year old not on many folks radar for a draft selection gets pulled by New York Islanders in the 6th round of 2023 (#177 overall).
He did show good accountability last season, so I’m sure the hopes is to be steady on college ice as a freshman.
USNTDP 2nd year defenseman Paul Fischer(7) commits University Of Notre Dame Fighting Irish for 2023/2024.
NHL draft eligible, but not really on any of the oddsmakers radar, the 6’1″ 201 lbs. blue liner gets scooped by St. Louis Blues in the 5th round of 2023 (#138 overall).
The 18-year old Rain Forest, IL native may have to change up his favorite big league club, but is fairly accountable and easily happy to be selected where he is going.
RPI Engineers‘ sophomore left wing 6’6″ 240 lbs. tower Sutter Muzzati(19) gets maybe the ultimate surprise, as he is selected off the radar by Nashville Predators at the 2023 draft, round 5 (#143 overall).
Almost maybe oddly he was actually in Nashville with the other prospects, so could have had an inside word.
The Okemos, MI native played his youth hockey close, but took to the roads to sign with Austin Bruins for 2 NAHL seasons, his 2nd with a dangerously good 34 assists.
He just turned 20 years old and is set to head back for his sophomore year, which should be better than the last.
Quinnipiac University Bobcats‘ sophomore defenseman Charles Alexis Legault(6) maybe scored himself a nice little surprise, being selected in the 5th round of the 2023 draft (#139 overall) by Carolina Hurricanes, when only one indicator had him being chosen.
The fairly sizable 6’3″ 216 lbs. blue liner notched 2 goals and 7 assists in 40 games, en route to a nice surprise 2023 NCAA Division 1 Championship.
From Laval, QC, the 19-year old was a hit and miss scorer through school and juniors, but really popped during BCHL playoffs, grabbing 11 points in 11 games for West Kelowna Warriors.
Fitchburg State University Falcons‘ junior center Hunter Fortin(26) leaves a year on the table to turn pro, signing a 1-year deal with EG Diez-Limburg of BeNe Liga.
The 6′ 174 lbs. forward leaves on basically 2 equal seasons of 26 and 27 points in D3 college hockey.
Westerville, OH native, he came east to play most of his youth and junior hockey.
The 24-year should find more space to score in this Belgium/Netherlands’ based league.
Unrestricted 4th year, free agent center Ryan Donato(9) picks up a 1-way NHL at the league minimum to start skating with Seattle Kracken 2021/2022.
The 6′ 192 lbs. forward had a career high 14 assists in 2020/2021 for San Jose Sharks, but was not given a qualifying offer to stay.
Originally a Boston Bruins‘ 2nd round draft pick in the 2014 draft (#56 overall), he left Harvard University Crimson after 3 years to sign his entry level contract.
He played only a short time in junior hockey after graduating Dexter Southfield School, originally joining USPHL Premiere South Shore Kings before moving along to 4 games with the US National U18 Team and finally 8 contests in the USHL for Omaha Lancers, scoring 5 goals and 5 assists, then adding another tally in 3 playoff games.
The Scituate, MA native was traded during his rookie season to Minnesota Wild, where he really seemed to gel, but was traded as the new season approached.
Old enough to know the league pretty well at this point, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the 25-year old connects in a new environment.
After playing a career high 74 games, he scores a new best 16 goals and 15 assists, but is left unsigned at the beginning of free agency to negotiate his comeback: 1-year, $1.2M AAV for 2022/2023 and he will try to add to his totals on what’s definitely going to be a better 2nd year team.
He finds success in his 2nd frame in the Pacific Northwest, but is a free agent and heads off to the big rebuilding rink in the sky, signing through 2024/2025 for $2M AAV with Chicago Blackhawks.
Union College Bobcats‘ 2023/2024 commit, left wing Ben Muthersbaugh(27) posted a 2nd 21-goal junior frame, but did it in a higher league.
The fairly big 6’2″ 195 lbs. forward from Gilford, NH played his youth hockey close to home and his 1st junior team was New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs before getting drafted to the NAHL with New Jersey Jr. Titans.
There’s little doubt the 19-year old will look to be an impact freshman player.
University Of Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves‘ graduate left wing Jamie Collins(15) turns pro, accepting terms on a 1-year deal with Meudon of France2.
The small 5’7″ 160 lbs. forward had a college career best 3 goals and 4 assists in 27 games last season.
A Fergus, ON native, he came down to attend high school, but returned for a pair of BCHL campaigns for Nanaimo Clippers before committing to school.
We think the 25-year old finds room in this lower league to score points.
