Western Michigan University Broncos‘ junior right wing Owen Michaels(34) oddly signs a 1-year NHL entry level deal for 2025/2026 as an unrestricted free agent with Edmonton Oilers, yet doesn’t play a game.
So the 6′ 179 lbs. forward, who won the 2025 NCAA Division 1 title last year is a restricted free agent.
From Detroit, MI, the 24-year old did 4 USHL sessions before school.
We are guessing.
After attending Northeastern University Huskies for a graduate season after 4 at the closer to home Michigan State University Spartans, defenseman Tommy Miller(8) signs a 1st pro contract for his rookie season with Toronto Marlies 2022/2023, but will likely start the season with affiliate Newfoundland Growlers.
The 6’2″ 196 lbs. had 8 assists and 9 points in tough Hockey East play last session with a +5 rating.
He mostly played 2 campaigns of USNTDP before committing to school.
The 23-year old from West Blomfield, MI will likely find room to assist goals and keep opponents from scoring in the ECHL.
He splits time between the 2 teams in his rookie season, but does well enough to earn an AHL spot for last season and answers with 1 goal and 4 assists in 44 games with a +2 rating, then had 2 assists with a +2 in a pair of playoff matchups, which easily has him returning to the Marlies.
For 2025/2026, he signs a 1-year deal with Syracuse Crunch.
In 55 games, he scores 3 goals and 7 assists with a +8 rating, then adds another 3 points in the playoffs to easily want to get a return look in a Crunch jersey.
4th year center Marly Quince(11) will take his game up heading from last season with Coventry Blaze, scoring 15 goals and 30 assists with a +17 rating in 53 EIHL games to signing a 1-year deal with HK 32 Liptovsky Mikulas of Slovak Extraliga for 2023/2024.
After graduating from 4 years at Clarkson University Golden Knights with a new college best 7 assists, he signed 1st in the SPHL with Fayettesville Markmen, but blew up scoring with 9 goals and 4 assists in 9 games to get permanently loaned up to the ECHL to maybe best skate for Reading Royals.
He started the next season down too, but was up quickly again and stuck for 40 games with Norfolk Admirals, scoring 12 goals and 12 assists with a +2 rating on a non-playoff team before heading overseas for the next frame.
The 29-year old from Sioux Lookout, ON should prove to do well in this league and may just play himself up yet again.
He performs really well through 2 seasons, serving as assistant captain in the current frame, but will head off to DEL, signing with Fischtown Pinguins, who he will help.
Scoring no goals in Germany, he is next headed to IceHL to sign with HK Olimpija Ljubljana Dragon for 2025/2026.
He is strong in 48 games with 13 goals, 23 assists and a +3 rating to re-up and stay a Dragon for 2026/2027.
Utica Jr. Comets‘ only 1/2 season center Greyson Settipane(2) played 18 USPHL/NCDC games, scoring 3 goals and 10 assists, then added 4 points in the playoffs before conceding.
The 5’10” 170 lbs. forward commits to St. Olaf University Oles for 2026/2027.
From Silver Spring, MD, the 21-year old should do ok here.
University Of Connecticut Huskies‘ senior defenseman Thomas Messineo(47) signs a 1st pro deal with Kansas City Mavericks, as tournament play winds down.
The 6′ 190 lbs. blue liner played 3 ECHL before being loaned up to San Jose Barracuda on a pto.
He played 3 AHL games and 1 in the playoffs.
From Westwood, MA, the 24-year old will still need to be signed for 2026/2027.
Rochester Jr. Americans‘ 3rd year defenseman, captain Dexter Kichline(6) was able to get into less games at 31, scoring 1 goal and 12 assists that he takes to a 2026/2027 commit at Amherst College Mammoths.
The 6′ 185 lbs. blue liner came to juniors from youth hockey.
He had 19 assists last season and is a +30 rating.
Sheffield Steelers‘ 2nd. year defenseman Brien Diffley(65) re-signs to stay for 2024/2025 after a very decent 52 game frame, scoring 2 goals and 14 assists with a +17 rating.
He has been very good, accountable in 5 years playing overseas hockey.
The 4-year Boston University Terriers‘ blue liner did 2 ECHL seasons before looking for something a bit different.
From Burlington, MA, the 6’2″ 185 lbs., 29-year old d-man is really settling into his game.
His game is going well where he is and he signs on for a 3rd season in a Steelers‘ jersey.
After scoring a new best 4 goals and 23 assists, then adding 3 more points in the playoffs, he signs for a 4th year in Sheffield.
University Of Connecticut Huskies‘ senior left wing Ryan Tattle(14) signs with Providence Bruins to a 1-year AHL contract, beginning 2026/2027, but joins the team on an ato to start.
He scored a college high 19 assists last season and tied his 32 point output from his junior frame.
The 5’11” 196 lbs. forward had no points in 5 games and did not appear on the playoff roster.
From Port Moody, BC, we look to see the 24-year old shine as a rookie.
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.
In his 6th season wearing the same jersey, he gets a trade to Colorado Avalanche to help a playoff push and does.
As a free agent, he signs a 1-year deal to join Columbus Blue Jackets and blows up scoring to the tune of 20 goals and 38 assists in a full slate of 82 NHL games with a +3 rating.
Heading into the offseason, the would be unrestricted free agent gets re-upped for 6 years at $36M AAV to stay a Blue Jackets.
Wheeling Nailers‘ rookie defenseman Louie Roehl(4) skates a full slate of 60 ECHL games, scoring 4 goals and 20 assists with a +4 rating, but with no playoffs, he lucks out and gets loaned up to Hartford Wolf Pack, who are chasing their own Calder Cup trophy.
The 5’11” 185 lbs. blue liner did 5 years at University Of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs, maybe not connecting as well as he has in his 1st frame.
He had a very solid 30 assists in his 1 NAHL session for Minnesota Wilderness.
The 25-year old from Eden Prairie, MN likely just wants to get some AHL under his belt.
He actually figures into no games in the upper ranks, but is signed for a 2nd season that doesn’t quite go as good as his 1st, but he is still wanted to return for a 3rd frame in a Nailers‘ jersey.
In his 3rd year with his new club, he scores a new best 5 goals and ties his 20 assists from his 1st season in a full slate of 72 games, but will take it overseas, signing with Pioneers Vorarlberg of IceHL for 2025/2026.
He comes away with 1 goal and 23 assists in 47 games, but decides to head off to Metal Ligaen and will play in 2026/2027 for Frederikshavn White Hawks.
