Providence College Friars‘ graduate center Kohen Oleschefski(51) signs a 1st pro deal with Rochester Americans for the remainder of 2021/2022.
He’s coming off a solid session, where his totals were just a goal and an assist off his college career highs and was a +7 skater.
The 6’1″ 187 lbs. forward came to his new school on a year of eligibility through the transfer portal upon completing 4 seasons at University Of Denver Pioneers.
A native of Abbotsford, BC, he played a couple of BCHL frames, with his 2nd going off the hook for 52 assists in 58 games for Chilliwack Chiefs.
No points in his first 2 AHL games, but the 24-year old can’t be too far off.
University Of Connecticut Huskies‘ junior left wing, Russian-born Vladislav Firstov(8) will leave a year of school on the table, as the Minnesota Wild 2nd round pick in the 2019 draft (#42 overall) is going to sign a 3-year entry level deal and get things started with affiliate Iowa Wild.
He put up almost identical numbers this past season as he did in his freshman year and was a point-per-game guy in a limited schedule as a sophomore.
The 6’1 181 lbs. forward had a similar run in one year of USHL for Waterloo Blackhawks.
His college team was able to make a deep run in Hockey East playoffs for a 1st time ever, and at only 20-years old he will likely be banging on the door for his shot at the NHL.
Canisius College Golden Griffins‘ graduate student, defenseman Joey Matthews(4) came over from 4 years at Dartmouth College Big Green and leaves with a new best 2 goals and college career tying 9 points from 2021/2022.
The 5’10” 190 lbs. blue liner has signed his 1st pro contract with Greenville Swamp Rabbits.
He played a pair of seasons in USHL juniors before committing to school.
The 24-year old from Columbia, IL should be able to impress quickly in the ECHL.
3rd year defenseman John Furgele(21) has figured into 4 ECHL games with new team, Worcester Railers and already has a goal to his credit.
He, like a good many other players took 2020/2021 off due to COVID restrictions.
The year previous though, he bounced around amongst 4 different teams.
He was more settled as a rookie, spending 51 games with Maine Mariners, reaching career high 8 goals and 13 assists.
In 2 years at University Of New Hampshire Wildcats before entering the transfer portal and finishing up as assistant captain for Quinnipiac University Bobcats, he averaged 10 helpers.
The 5’10” 181 lbs. d-man had an interesting juniors’ route through a pair of NAHL campaigns with Bismarck Bobcats before ending up back closer to home in the EHL, where he won the 2013 Championship and then stayed as they switched to the USPHL before heading to school.
It would be little suprise to see the 28-year old breakout with some numbers this season.
And indeed that sort of happened as he has equaled his high 13 assists, set as a rookie, and has a new best +12 rating.
Almost oddly he gets dealt from one team fighting to retain playoff berth to another in roughly the same position, Tulsa Oilers.
Chicago Blackhawks‘ 2nd round pick in the 2019 draft, Boston University Terriers‘ junior defenseman Alex Vlasic(43) signs a 3-year NHL entry level deal and foregoes his final year at college.
The very big 6’6″ 211 lbs. blue liner could potentially join them immediately.
He had a college career best 7 assists and tying 8 points in 2021/2022.
The sort of close to home Wilmette, IL native spent two years in the USNTDP program and twice had 20+ helpers.
At just 20-years old, he still could be ready to start shining in the show.
Tampa Bay Lightning were rumored to have interest in Merrimack College Warriors‘ junior defenseman Declan Carlile(3) and they confirm the news, signing him to a 2-year NHL entry level deal that will see him report to affiliate Syracuse Crunch to start.
The 6’2″ 192 lbs. blue liner had a college career year with a best 7 goals, 24 points and +14 rating in 35 NCAA Division 1 games.
For juniors, he first headed north and won a 2018 OJHL Championship with Wellington Dukes, passing ahead an impressive 33 helpers, then added 5 goals and 8 assists in 25 playoff games before committing to school and likely agreeing to a year in the USHL before school.
He split time between a couple of different clubs, but was able to access 15 assists.
The Flint, MI native got to school and as a freshman ran up 18 assists as a freshman, so that had to get the now still young 21-year old on the radar screen.
Pittsburgh Penguins jump quickly to sign Princeton University Tigers‘ graduating senior right wing Corey Andonovski(27) to a 2-year NHL entry level contract.
The 6’1″ 195 lbs. had solid scoring as a senior and sophomore, but didn’t play as a junior due to COVID.
An Uxbridge, ON native, he played one BCHL season for Chilliwack Chiefs with 16 goals and 22 assists.
He was very strong at school attending St. Andrew’s College.
The 22-year old will report to affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins to start his pro career.
Undrafted 2nd year defenseman Billy Sweezey(6) takes a decent first year playing through a pandemic mess for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, scoring no goals but 4 assists in 22 AHL games with a +2 rating to a new league deal with rival Cleveland Monsters.
The sturdy 6’2″ 205 lbs. blue liner has never been much of a point-getter, except as a junior and senior at Noble & Greenough School USHS-Prep, when he walked away with 20 & 18 assists.
He had an almost opposite one year in USHL juniors with Chicago Steel, scoring 3 goals but only getting one assist.
The Hanson, MA native only scored 3 goals through 4 years at Yale University Bulldogs and on a couple of occasions flirted with 10 assists (9 as a sophomore and 8 senior).
A more stay-at-home style d-man, the 25-year old could become a valuable + player on his new club.
His 4 goals and 6 assists with a +6 rating in 45 games has earned the sturdy d-man a 2-year NHL entry level deal with parent club, Columbus Blue Jackets through 2024.
RPI Engineers‘ graduate defenseman Anthony Baxter(5) is definitely glad he added a year of eligibility to his schedule.
He posted a career high 10 assists and 12 points in a best 38 NCAA Division 1 games, en route to an ECAC Quarterfinal play.
The solid 6′ 185 lbs. blue liner came over after 4 years, 116 games for UMass-Lowell Riverhawks with a +21 rating.
He spent 3 years of juniors in the close to his home in Oakville, ON, OJHL, twice amassing 20+ assists.
The 24-year old would easily get some looks if he decides to go pro.
Buffalo Sabres‘ 4th round pick in the 2017 draft (#99 overall) defenseman Jacob Bryson(18) is making himself at home in his career high 48th NHL game, scoring an exact from his rookie campaign, one goal and 8 assists.
The small 5’9″ 179 lbs. blue liner is set to become a restricted free agent and should likely settle on a multi-year deal to stay.
He put up solid numbers as a rookie with affiliate Rochester Americans, scoring 4 goals and 23 assists in 61 AHL games with a +8 rating.
The former 3-year Providence College Friars was twice a 20+ assist guy.
From London, ON, he is listed as having done one year in the USHS-Prep before heading to a season of USHL.
There’s little doubt the 24-year old has a lot to smile about.
