Atlanta Gladiators‘ 2nd season, 5th year net minder Chris Nell(30) recently appeared in his 100th ECHL game.
Undrafted, he signed a 2-year NHL entry level deal with New York Rangers, fresh off 3 years at Bowling Green State University Falcons.
He spent most of his rookie season with affiliate Hartford Wolf Pack, but was also lent to 3 lower league teams.
The 6’2″ 187 lbs. goalie played 39 games in the follow-up season in the E and even posted some outstanding stats over two appearances in the AHL with a .084 GAA and .973 SV%, but had maybe been already passed over at that point.
It would be little surprise to see the 27-year old, Green Bay, WI native to look outside the box next season for different hockey logistics.
University Of Vermont Catamounts‘ portal transfer from 3 years at Cornell University Big Red, senior defenseman Joe Leahy(5) has put up a career high 7 assists and 9 points in 24 NCAA Division 1 games.
The 6’4″ 198 lbs. blue liner has always been a plus performer through college hockey and is a +3 on a team that doesn’t find themselves on the winning side of the tape as much as it wants to.
He played 4 seasons in junior hockey, going from a pair of strong showings in the GOJHL to 2 good runs in the BCHL before heading to school.
The 24-year old, Waterloo, ON native is definitely a good player to watch as he pushing towards graduation.
Yale University Bulldogs‘ portal transfer junior Ryan Carmichael(13) played only 8 NCAA Division 1 games for Notre Dame University Fighting Saints, as a freshman and didn’t skate in his sophomore season, so is putting together modest career best at his new school with a goal and two assists in 26 appearances.
The 6’2″ 201 lbs. definitely plays a power forward style.
He only spent one campaign in USHL juniors for a pair of teams after graduating Brunswick School USHS-Prep.
We only expect the 23-year old (happy birthday!) future senior to have a good final college frame.
12th year undrafted, goaltender Carter Hutton(40) wasn’t exactly starting a lot of games this season under contract with Arizona Coyotes, so that he was dealt to Toronto Maple Leafs wasn’t exactly surprising.
The veteran of 235 NHL games and 9 full seasons in the league, tending the cage for teams like Buffalo Sabres, Nashville Predators and St. Louis Blues is somehow heading to a team that has a glut in net and oddly leaves one that really could use a little help.
He has twice started 30+ games in a frame, once 40 and once 50, just a few years ago.
The 36-year old from Thunder Bay, ON, former outstanding UMass-Lowell Riverhawks, one that helped anchor their program, may still see some games, but there’s a lot of bodies where he’s headed.
Union College Dutchmen 2022/2023 commit, 2nd year Janesville Jets‘ defenseman Cal Mell(65) is having a career junior season with 2 goals, 28 assists and a +18 rating to his credit.
The 5’10” 190 lbs. blue liner was signed into the NAHL after his 2nd successful stint for Walpole Express of the EHL, where he arrived from his Cumming, GA base.
The 21-year old has put in the work and is gaining notice for his good play.
12th year defenseman Cody Goloubef(29) decides for the 1st time in his pro career life to reach out across the seas for some new kind of hockey, signing for the remainder of 2021/2022 with SC Bern.
He only ever played one full season, 2015-2016, the 6th and final season with draft club (round 2, 2008, #37 overall) Columbus Blue Jackets, when he skated 43 NHL games, scoring a goal and best 7 assists and 8 points.
The 6’1″ 195 lbs. blue liner has spent 3 full campaigns in the AHL, including most recently signed to Belleville Senators.
He is credited for appearing in 353 games with 39 goals and 90 assists with a +7 rating and a very decent 160 in the big league, scoring 3 goals and 22 assists with a -7.
The 32-year old, former 3-year University Of Wisconsin Badgers‘ d-man has basically worked pretty hard at his craft to earn what he’s earned, should do well and have fun playing in the NL, Switzerland’s top hockey.
Mercyhurst University Lakers‘ freshman defenseman Jake Beaune(3) got himself a 1st NCAA Division 1 college hockey goal recently.
He puts it alongside 4 assists he’s managed in 28 games.
The kinda sizable 6’3″ 187 lbs. blue liner did it once before in his 1st season with Aberdeen Wings, he got a goal and 9 assists in 39 NAHL games with a +10 rating enroute to a 2019 Robertson Cup.
It’s not like he can’t connect with goals.
He potted 12 in his 2nd campaign with the team and had 17 as a senior for local Livonia Stevenson High in 25 USHS-MI games.
The undrafted 21-year old, who initially committed to Robert Morris University Colonials until they pulled hockey, still has time to prove he can pot some (more) in Atlantic Hockey.
American International College Yellowjackets‘ Austrian-born, freshman defenseman Luis Lindner(8) is having an impressive 1st Atlantic Hockey season.
In just 20 NCAA Division 1 games, he has 3 goals and 10 assists with a +18 rating.
The 5’11” 170 lbs. blue liner spent one campaign for Junior Bruins, scoring 8 goals and 34 assists in 39 USPHL/NCDC games before committing to college.
He played all of his youth hockey back home, including WJC appearances.
The undrafted 20-year old is easily one to keep an eye on.
Army West Point Black Knights‘ 2022/2023 commit, Northeast Generals‘ assistant captain, 2nd year defenseman Brent Keefer(5) is putting up career junior numbers as he prepares to enter a freshman campaign at school.
The 6′ 170 lbs. blue liner has 15 goals and 22 assists with a +7 rating in his 3rd NAHL season.
From Colorado Springs, CO, the 20-year old will be a nice addition to Atlantic Hockey play.
10th year left wing Mike Hoeffel(11) decided to sit out last season, but returns for his 5th year in DEL, signing with his 3rd club, Krefeld Pinguine for the remainder of 2021/2022.
He originally came over and signed a deal with DEL2 club, Eispiraten Crimmitschau after a successful stint in Fjordkraftligaen for Stavenger Oilers, where the won the 2016 Norway Championship.
An undrafted free agent after completing four years at University Of Minnesota Golden Gophers, scoring quite well, he signed a 2-year entry level deal with New Jersey Devils, but skated only with their AHL affiliate Albany Devils.
The 32-year old probably is just happy folks want to pay him to lace up the skates.
