Category: Juniors

Kansas City Mavericks‘ rookie defenseman Noah Delmas(24) is having a season that maybe exists a little below the radar as he’s on a team that’s still in the hunt but currently at the bottom of their division and he has only tallied a goal and 3 assists through 26 ECHL games.

The 6′ 195 lbs. blue liner was named team captain for Niagara University Purple Eagles, but failed to connect as he did as a sophomore and junior, when he scored 25 assists in both frames and even potted 15 goals in his third year.

He was a 2018 invite to Toronto Maple Leafs‘ development camp.

Playing most of his junior hockey with close to home club Aurora Tigers of the OJHL, the Newmarket, ON native did come down for 17 USHL games with Bloomington Thunder after committing to college, it didn’t last and he headed back for a bit of a playoff push with his former team.

It’s likely the 25-year old will continue in the league he accepted but also wouldn’t be out of the question for him to get a few nods at AHL life.

He signed on for another tour with his 1st pro club and in 32 games, had new best marks of 2 goals and 7 assists with a +2 rating, but he decided to head off to the EIHL, signing for the remainder of 2021/2022 with Manchester Storm.

In 18 games over in England, he grabbed 2 goals and 2 assists, but was a bit of a lowly -8 rating.

He is welcome “home” though, signing a 1-year deal with Worcester Railers for 2022/2023 that will likely see him achieve his best results.

After a decent enough 3rd frame in central MA, scoring 2 goals and 16 assists, but with a horrible plus/minus signs for 2023/2024 with GKS Katowice of Polska Hokej Liga.

In 40 games, he scores 3 goals and 10 assists and will next take that to the EIHL and signs with Fife Flyers for 2024/2025.

He returns “home” after a couple seasons away to sign with the new league team Greensboro Gargoyles and we feel like that will settle his game nicely.

6th year center Drew Wallin(77) signs on for a 4th straight season with Springfield Thunderbirds, 2024/2025 mostly because he really seems to fit with team mentality well.

His 6’3″ 203 lbs. size definitely has some AHL bearing.

He had 2 20+ assist seasons at Bentley University Falcons.

In 2 junior NAHL sessions with Janesville Jets, he was a 30+ point scorer.

From Madison, WI, we think the 29-year old smiles as he goes.

He has been 3 years with the same team, scoring ok, but will return to Worcester Railers, where he played as a rookie and for a couple seasons and will be back for scoring in 2025/2026.

 

University Of Wisconsin-Superior Yellowjackets‘ senior left wing Reed Stark(29) signs a 1st pro deal with Utah Grizzlies.

The fairly big 6’2″ 180 lbs. forward scored a college best 14 goals last season and tied his assists from freshman year at 9.

From Suffern, NY, the 25-year old will likely do well in the ECHL once he gets his footing.

For his rookie season, he decides to sign with Dusseldorfer EG of DEL2, where he will definitely be challenged.

American International College Yellowjackets‘ junior center Joshua Barnes(27) is in the uneviable position of his college team taking a year off to switch divisions for 2026.

The 5’10” 185 lbs. forward takes with him a college best scoring 14 goals an 10 assists into the transfer portal to next skate with former Atlantic Hockey foes Sacred Heart University Pioneers, 2025/2026

From Cornwall, ON, the 23-year old always did well in junior hockey before school.

RPI Engineers‘ junior defenseman Max Smolinski(21) enters the transfer portal after a college high 5 goals and 10 assists in 35 games to next skate at St. Cloud State University Huskies as a senior, 2025/2026.

The 6′ 185 lbs. blue liner from Broomfield Hills, MI did 2 good years of juniors before school.

His heading closer to home for the “final” year for the 23-year old son of former NHL-er Bryan Smolinski.

 

American International College Yellowjackets freshman left wing Justin Mexico(11) enters the transfer portal as his team takes a season off to switch to a different division, so he heads to Stonehill College Skyhawks for his sophomore frame in 2025/2026.

The 5’10” 180 lbs. forward had 3 goals and 12 assists in 32 games last year.

He spent 3 seasons in juniors mostly with North Iowa Bulls of the NAHL.

From Madison Heights, MI, the 21-year old will likely do well playing the independent schedule.

University Of Connecticut Huskies‘ graduate captain defenseman Roman Kinal(41) signs an ato to start his pro career with San Jose Barracuda.

In 5 AHL games, he has no points.

The 6’2″ 198 lbs. blue liner has never really put up points, three times hitting 7 in a frame.

From Waterford, MI, the 24-year old may just need a little more time to grow into his pro game.

He signs for 2023/2024, but is dispelled to affiliate Wichita Thunder for a good deal of the session.

For 2024/2025, San Diego Gulls are in search of some assistance and agree with him for a look.

He is up for 36 games and reassigned to affiliate Tulsa Oilers for 17 and does well, help guiding both.

It’s an easy call for him to re-sign to stay a Gulls for 2025/2026.

Utica College Pioneers senior left wing Shane Murphy(29) signs a 1st pro contract with Birmingham Bulls and in 2 regular season SPHL games scores 1 goal and 1 assist to get started.

The 5’11” 181 lbs. forward has his best college scoring year as a junior with 13 goals and 15 assists in 30 games with a +27 rating.

He also scored pretty well as a senior.

From Oriskany, NY, the 25-year old played 2 years of NAHL juniors before school.

On their protected list, he will need a new contract for 2025/2026.

He’s an easy sign to return for his rookie season, 2025/2026 to be a Bulls.