Category: Juniors

12Aug

Porter Schachle (79)

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After three seasons with close to home Kenai River Brown Bears, Alaska-native, big 6’4″ 205 lbs. forward Porter Schachle(79) commits to University Of Vermont but was recently traded closer to his future college home going to Danbury Hat Tricks, where in 6 games he has a goal and two assists.

He’s currently just about a point per game performer with 12 goals and 11 assists in 29 NAHL appearances this season, which goes along with career high marks set in 2019/2020, when he popped 15 goals and 22 assists in 46 games with a +14 and 127 penalty minutes, including more than a few fighting majors.

That number has been taken to a new level in the current calendar with 169 minutes spent in the box already and the season still has a bit of a ways to go.

The 20-year old should fit nicely into Hockey East style of play.

After 61 games in the division, the always tough to play against, undrafted Wasilla resident has decided to head home and skate for University Of Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves for 2023/2024.

He plays 2 seasons and decides to turn pro, signing a 1-year ECHL deal with Worcester Railers, where he will join his brother Tanner.

12Aug

Trey Taylor (2)

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Clarkson University Golden Knights‘ junior defenseman Trey Taylor(2) finishes up last season with a college best 9 goals and 20 assists in 39 games with a +2 rating that catches the attention of Dallas Stars, who sign the unrestricted free agent to a 2-year NHL entry level deal.

The 6’2″ 190 lbs. blue liner did 1 outstanding USHL session before school.

From Richmond, BC, the 24-year old scored

12Aug

Jake Schmaltz (9)

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University Of North Dakota Fighting Hawks‘ senior assistant captain, center Jake Schmaltz(9) finished up with 6 goals and 10 assists in 38 games with a +2 rating that he took to a 1st contract with Providence Bruins after tournament play concluded.

A Boston Bruins‘ 7th round pick in the 2019 draft (#192 overall), he signed a 1-year 2025/2026 AHL deal with the affiliate for his rookie season, 2025/2026.

He scored a 1st pro goal in his 2nd appearance.

From McFarland, WI, the 6’2″ 185 lbs. forward, 24-year old should catch on.

11Aug

Reid Irwin (43)

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Colgate University Raiders‘ graduate, captain defenseman Reid Irwin(43) scored a new college best 6 goals and 17 points in 32 games last season, which he took to a 1st pro contract with Wichita Thunder and scored a 1st ECHL goal and assist in 9 games.

The 6’1″ 198 lbs. blue liner decides to sign with Belfast Giants of the EIHL for his official rookie year, 2025/2026.

From Victoria, BC, the 25-year old transferred from 2-years at University Of Denver Pioneers.

He did 3 years of junior hockey.

11Aug

Ethan Leyh (19)

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Bentley University Falcons‘ senior Ethan Leyh(19) scored a new college best (by a long shot) 13 goals and 16 assists in 35 games last season with a +11 rating.

The 6′ 195 lbs. forward played 3 full slates at Quinnipiac University Bobcats‘ scoring exactly 10 points in each of the sessions.

From Anmore, BC, he did 2 years of BCHL with Langley Rivermen before heading to school.

Having not played in the 2022/2023 campaign, it will be interesting to see what the 22-year old decides next.

As graduate captain a 2nd season, he scores a new college best 17 goals and 25 assists in 37 games to sign a 1st pro deal with the new Greensboro Gargoyles for his rookie frame, 2025/2026.

11Aug

Evan Werner (91)

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Colorado College Tigers 2022/2023 commit, right wing Evan Werner(91) is playing his 2nd and final season of juniors with Youngstown Phantoms and in 15 USHL games has no goals yet but 4 assists.

He came over in an effort to take up his play after basically exploding the NAHL stat sheet with New Jersey Titans, scoring 21 goals and 15 assists in 40 games.

The small 5’7″ 164 lbs. forward is likely hoping to step right in and score some NCHC time.

He would do he 2nd college season at University Of Michigan Wolverines, scoring new best 11 goals and 22 points.

For his junior year, he picks up yet again and will skate for University Of Notre Dame Fighting Irish in 2025/2026.

 

11Aug

Kenny Connors (17)

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UMASS Minutemen sophomore center Kenny Connors(17) is flirting with marks that will best his freshman numbers, 9 goals and 17 assists with 5 goals and 8 assists in 21 games.

He had an outstanding 2nd USHL session with Dubuque Fighting Saints.

The 6’1″ 190 lbs. forward is a Los Angeles Kings‘ 4th round pick in the 2022 draft (#103 overall).

From Glen Mills, PA, the 20-year old should continue at college unless he can further breakout as a junior.

He does, scoring 10 goals and 19 assists in 40 games with a +4 rating and will leave a year at school on the table to sign a 2-year NHL entry level deal.

10Aug

Vinni Lettieri (10)

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Undrafted 5th year right wing Vinni Lettieri(10) re-ups for a 2nd season in Anaheim Ducks‘ organization.

He only played 5 NHL games in 2020/2021, but lit up the scoresheet with affiliate San Diego Gulls, scoring 14 goals and 12 assists in 22 AHL games, adding another 3 points in 3 playoff contests.

The 5’11” 185 lbs. forward was originally signed to a 2-year entry level deal by New York Rangers after graduating from University Of Minnesota Golden Gophers, where he was a point-per-game player as a senior.

He was also a solid goal scorer in high school and one year of juniors for Lincoln Stars of the USHL.

The 26-year old has played 52 games in the big league, scoring 2 goals and 6 assists with a dismal -21 rating, but we think he’s one solid scoring line away from being an impact player.

In 2021/2022, he was given his best chance yet to become a permanent member at the higher level, appearing in a career best 31 games, scoring 5 goals and 5 assists.

Boston Bruins lean in on the opening day of free agency offering a 1-year, 2-way deal at almost a 1-way rate and he’s on board and will likely compete for any open roster spots available.

He scores a career best 26 assists and 49 points last season to earn himself a nice 2-year deal with Minnesota Wild, worth just below the average of a 1-way deal.

There’s little doubt he’ll be seeing a lot of playing time for Iowa Wild, but could score a recall as he did once last season.

He actually spends 46 games with contract club, scoring 5 goals and 4 assists and actually finds himself traded back to Boston, where he will compete for a spot once again.

An unrestricted free agent, who saw some good usefulness and an ability to connect, he is signed by Toronto Maple Leafs, who eye him for a possible spot in their lineup or he continues to score big in the minors.