UMass-Lowell Riverhawks‘ 2022/2023 commit, center Jak Vaarwerk(29) is decently frequent on the stat sheet with 3 goals and 13 assists in 20 NAHL games for Jamestown Rebels.
It will be the 18-year old’s only run in junior hockey and he’s making it a memorable one.
The 5’11” 174 lbs from Amherst, NY did his entire youth hockey in Buffalo Jr. Sabres‘ system.
He could be a frequent freshman introduced into the Hockey East lineup.
12th year veteran defenseman Jared Nightingale(3) retired after 1 game for Quad City Mallards and went on to take the assistant coach reins at Omaha Lancers of the USHL.
The big 6’3″ 205 lbs. blue liner has skated 472 AHL games, 202 ECHL after 4 years at Michigan State University Spartans.
He sort of followed a bit of a pattern coaching, two years in US juniors, two OHL and then adopted to coach a team he’d played 67 games for as team captain, Rockford Icehogs.
The 39-year old from Jackson, MI has to have a little smile on his face.
Holy Cross College Crusaders‘ 2022/2023 commit, small center Joe Solimine(9) is cutting it up in his 2nd season for Junior Bruins, capturing a new high 8 goals and 18 assists for 26 points in 20 USPHL/NCDC games.
The 5’8″ 181 lbs. pivot looked is an aggressive skater and will likely play into Atlantic Hockey style play well, when he arrives.
Washington Capitals‘ 8th year defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk(57) re-upped on a new 2-year deal through 2023, as last season’s weirdo run was wrapping up.
He’s out of the gate strong in his 2nd season, notching 6 assists in 17 NHL games with a +6 rating.
The 6’3″ 191 lbs. blue liner scored very decently through 3 years at University Of New Hampshire Wildcats, averaging 5 goals and 15 assists a frame.
At 30-years old, he just may be arriving into his best game a little late.
Arizona Coyotes‘ 6th year right wing Hudson Fasching(24) took a strong start with affiliate Tucson Roadrunners, scoring 4 goals and 6 assists in 10 AHL games to a first recall and NHL appearance.
The 6’3″ 204 lbs. forward skated a very conservative 12 shifts for 5:44 ice time with 2 hits thrown.
He played his first big league games with Buffalo Sabres, right after completing a third season at University Of Minnesota Golden Gophers, scoring highs of 20 goals and 18 assists in 37 games to an entry level deal and his first 7 games, getting a goal and an assist.
The 26-year old has been with his current club for the past four years and seems relatively content.
Colorado College Tigers‘ 2022/2023 commit, right wing Bret Link(10) is spending his 3rd and final frame at junior hockey with Fargo Force, scoring 2 goals and 3 assists in 13 USHL games.
The 6’2″ 185 lbs. Anchorage, AK forward finished up a pair of successful seasons with Fairbanks Ice Dogs, amassing 55 points in 95 NAHL games with a +22 rating.
As a 20-year old, he should be able to step right into NCHC play, when he arrives.
Lake Superior State University Lakers‘ commit, 2nd year NAHL center Branden Piku(18) is putting up junior hockey, career best numbers, 8 goals and 12 assists in 22 games for Maryland Black Bears, like he’s getting ready to contribute from the get-go 2022/2023, if given the opportunity.
The small 5’8″ 154 lbs. pivot has definitely displayed that he can pocket points.
We’re sure that as he finishes up the current frame, the 19-year old from Harrison Township, MI has his eyes on some CCHA hockey.
Mercyhurst University Lakers‘ portal transfer, graduate captain Pierce Crawford(26) gets it going with a 1st Atlantic Hockey goal to go along with a pair of assists in 10 games to start the 2021/2022 session.
In 4 years at University Of Notre Dame Fighting Irish, his best was 5 points (2 goals, 3 assists) as a sophomore.
The 5’9″ wide 190 lbs. forward connected for almost equal points, including 18 goals in a pair of junior seasons, first NAHL and later USHL before college.
It will be interesting to see where the 24-year old will take his game next.
Boston Bruins‘ 3rd year center (10th overall), Charlie Coyle(13) taking some practice tips and plays in front of net minder Linus Ullmark at practice this morning after scoring a pair of goals in the team’s last home game.
He skated a year and a half at Boston University Terriers, but the San Jose Sharks‘ 1st round 2010 draft pick (#28 overall) decided to split for junior hockey in Canada.
The 6’3″ 214 lbs. forward joined Saint Johns Sea Dogs and ended up winning the 2012 QMJHL Championship with playoff scoring totals that equaled 2-points per game for the Winthrop, MA native.
Canisius College Golden Griffins‘ junior portal transfer Danny DiGrande(14) is already sort of doing better than any of his previous two sessions with RPI Engineers.
They didn’t play in 2020/2021.
The 5’10” 181 lbs. forward has two goals to start 2021/2022, and only ever scored 3 goals as a sophomore at his former school.
They did not play last season due to COVID restrictions.
The hard-skating, Macomb, MI native had three decent numbered USHL junior campaigns with 4 different teams, mostly through trades and finally with Green Bay Gamblers, before agreeing to school.
He still has an year to continue improving those stats and it will be interesting to see if Atlantic Hockey was the trick to turn that corner.
