American International College Yellowjackets‘ portal transfer, graduate center Brian Rigali(10) is sure glad he added a season and made the switch from four years at University Of Connecticut Huskies, as his scoring has reached new levels with 9 goals and 9 assists with a +2 rating in just 19 NCAA Division 1 games.
The small 5’9″ but stocky 185 lbs. forward had a solid 3rd year of junior hockey with Sioux City Musketeers, which led him to his college commitment.
In 59 USHL games, he scored 10 goals and 20 assists with a +23 rating, then hit for another 3 goals in the playoffs.
The 24-year old, Green Oaks, IL native will be interesting to continue to watch.
Undrafted 7th year center Evan Rodrigues(9) grabs a 1st career NHL hat trick, pushing his totals for 2021/2022 to a new high of 15 goals with a +8 rating for his team of the last few seasons, Pittsburgh Penguins.
He has worked very hard for any advantages he’s enjoyed after scoring big in his senior year at Boston University Terriers with 21 goals and 41 assists in 41 NCAA Division 1 games with a +30 rating.
The 5’11” 185 lbs. forward was given a two-year entry level deal by Buffalo Sabres, but not called up until the last couple games of his rookie season and scored a goal and an assist with a +2 to say hello.
He would almost evenly split his time between leagues in his sophomore run to earn another two years with the 2nd of the two as a one-way contract, but didn’t matter as he made the team out of training camp in his 3rd run.
In the 2nd year, he would be traded to Pens and finished with a goal in 7 games.
Almost oddly, he was made to wait and didn’t sign until just before 6th season, but would come together decently for 7 goals and 7 assists in 35 games.
The 27-year old is quite possibly just getting started despite earning well for his 265 games played.
Anaheim Ducks‘ 10th year defenseman Greg Pateryn(2) keeps his streak of NHL games alive, appearing in 2 already this season.
He’s only not appeared in the upper league once on reassignment to affiliate as assistant captain for Hamilton Bulldogs from parent club Montreal Canadiens.
He was with them for his first 5 seasons after a trade sent him from draft club Toronto Maple Leafs, 5th round 2008, #128 overall.
The very sizable 6’2″ 224 lbs. d-man was dealt to Dallas Stars, where he produced his best (1 goal, 12 assists) in the 2nd year of his contract with the Habs.
He would next sign a three year deal with Minnesota Wild that had him mostly up in the big league but then was traded and kept bouncing in the pandemic year.
The 31-year old has to have a smile on his face and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him take off for some different kind of hockey to end his career.
6th year defenseman Ian McCoshen(22) signed his 1-year AHL deal to stick with Henderson Silver Knights after scoring 5 assists with a +3 in 24 games.
The big 6’3″ 218 lbs. Florida Panthers‘ 2nd round pick in 2013 (#31 overall) spent the 1st three years of his pro career in their system and played all of his NHL games, 60, 4 goals, 3 assists with the team before being traded to Chicago Blackhawks very early in his 4th year.
He was next signed late, just before the start of the 2020/2021 season to a new deal with Minnesota Wild and looks to have split time between the taxi squad and affiliate Iowa Wild.
This is the 26-year old from Anaheim, CA, former 3-year Boston College Eagles first minor league contract, but we don’t doubt he plays himself back up or take off for some overseas hockey.
Detroit Red Wings‘ re-signed big defenseman Luke Witkowski(28) to a new 2-year deal through 2023, as some back-up insurance.
The 6’2″ 210 lbs. blue liner has mostly been re-assigned to help affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins, but is easily on a short list for a big league game.
He was twice recently listed as captain of draft club, Tampa Bay Lightning (6th round, 2008, #160 overall) farm team, Syracuse Crunch and last played in the NHL, early 2019.
The former 4-year, senior captain at Western Michigan University Broncos d-man has skated 280 AHL games with a total +31 rating.
At 31-years old, he’s definitely always been in line for big contracts, but has always worked hard to maintain the level.
Junior Bruins host tournament visiting Utica Jr. Comets to their home rink and a pair of fairly evenly matched teams from different divisions played to a visiting team USPHL/NCDC 3-2 overtime win.
2023/2024 Army West Point Black Knights‘ commit center Owen Carlile(21) scored the game-winner.
He has a junior career high 11 goals and 23 assists in 33 games this season. .
9th year defenseman Jon Merrill(4) signed just about one month into unrestricted free agency by Minnesota Wild after coming off a late trade that sent him to Montreal Canadiens, which resulted in an unexpected extended Cup run.
The New Jersey Devils‘ 2nd round pick in 2010 (#34 overall) spent 4 years until he was picked up by Vegas Golden Knights in their 1st season 2017 expansion draft.
He signed a 2-year deal to stay and wound up with his best overall stats in his 2nd season in Nevada, scoring highs of 3 goals, tying 12 assists and 15 points with a +16 rating.
The sizable 6’3″ 204 lbs. former 3-year University Of Michigan Wolverines‘ blue liner next signed, as 2020/2021 was starting, a 1-year deal with Detroit Red Wings.
He’s notched 3 goals and 8 assists in 33 NHL games this season with a +8 rating, so the 29-year old is off to a good run with his new club and maybe not easily, but he could reach new heights in all categories and was rewarded for his play with a new 3-year deal worth $1.2M AAV.
The Oklahoma City native must have a huge smile on his face.
Undrafted 3rd year left wing Ara Nazarian(22) has been lighting up the ECHL since arriving at Adirondack Thunder as a rookie after graduating 4 years at University Of New Hampshire Wildcats.
The small 5’9″ but stocky 185 lbs. forward has 6 goals and 12 assists in 27 games this season, which are consistent with career highs set in 2020/2021 with 2nd year club, Jacksonville Icemen (25-26-51 in 70 games).
His consistent play at the lower level has earned him a loan up to Rochester Americans, and in a few AHL games he has a 1st goal in the league.
The 25-year old from Boxford, MA is doing well playing himself up.
Chicago Blackhawks rewards 2nd year goaltender Cale Morris(32) with a 1-year deal for 2021/2022 after his impressive performance for affiliates Rockford IceHogs and Indy Fuel.
In a pair of AHL appearances this season, he’s 1-0 with a 1.64 GAA and 9.19 SV%.
The 6’1″ 190 lbs. net minder also has decent stats on a struggling ECHL team, with a 6-5-2 record, 2.82 GAA, .898 SV%.
He played 4 years at University Of Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 3 as starter, always posting decent numbers.
The 25-year old from Larkspur, CO has been assigned to the parent club’s taxi squad and is probably just enjoying the ride at this point.
RPI Engineers‘ transfer portal, sophomore defenseman Jack Agnew(5) is definitely happy to have made the decision to move to ECAC play, as he has already elevated his game from one season at Boston College Eagles, with 4 assists and a +5 rating in 18 NCAA Division 1 games.
He won a pair of back-to-back 2016 & 2017 CISAA Championships at St. Andrew’s College before heading to skate for Chiliwack Chiefs, doing well potting 3 goals and 19 assists in 52 BCHL games.
The 20-year old from Oakville, ON plays with a lot of pop and is good at keeping offense clear of the zone.
