Category: Juniors

06Aug

Joey Larson (17)

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Michigan State University Spartans‘ junior right wing Joey Larson(17) leaves a year on the table to as an unrestricted free agent signs a 1-year NHL entry level deal with New York Islanders and went to affiliate Bridgeport Islanders on an ato to score 2 AHL goals and 1 assist in 6 games.

The 6’1″ 196 lbs. forward had 3 seasons of 10+ goals and assists scoring, including as a freshman at Northern Michigan University Wildcats.

From Brighton, MI, he was a point-per-game player in his final USHL campaign before college.

In 63 games, he scores 17 goals and 11 assists on a bit of a tough luck team, but he is signed to return for the next 2 years to stay an Islanders.

06Aug

Colin Tracy (27)

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Plymouth State University Panthers‘ graduate defenseman Colin Tracy(27) signs a 1st pro contract with Evansville Thunderbolts for his rookie frame, 2025/2026.

The 6’3″ 190 lbs. blue liner scored a new college best 2 goals and 9 assists last season in 21 games with a +8 rating.

From Manchester, NH, the 25-year old should score more in the FPHL.

He actually has shown up on Pee Dee Pride roster; we think on a trade, but are still looking into it.

Turns out, he was with the club for 2 games with 1 assist, but moved on to Indiana Sentinels, where he had 3 assists in 10 games to get loaned up to Knoxville Ice Bears for 3 appearances before being SPHL traded to Birmingham Bulls for the rest of 2025/2026.

In 29 games, he scores 4 goals and 5 assists with a +11 rating to sign on for an extension 2026/2027 to stay a Bulls.

05Aug

Danton Heinen (43)

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6th year left wing Danton Heinen(43) doesn’t find the right fit with Anaheim Ducks, who he was traded to late in 2019/2020 to by long time club Boston Bruins and signed for another year after producing 3 goals and an assist in 9 NHL games to start.

He seemed to mostly struggle on a non-winning team and wasn’t qualified to receive another deal.

Last year was easily an anomaly for the 6’1″ 188 lbs. forward, who signed a 1-year deal for $1.1 AAV a little late into free agency with Pittsburgh Penguins for 2021/2022.

The still only 26-year old, 2-year University Of Denver standout should be able to excel with the talent around him in PA.

For 2023/2024, as an unrestricted free agent looking for a new home, he accepts a training camp invite from his old haunt in Boston.

He comes into town, takes nothing for granted, works hard to gain notice and nets himself a 1-year contract worth $775 AAV.

Coming away with 36 points in 72 games with a +16 rating is all good and Vancouver Canucks swoop in, offering a 2-year deal at $2.25 AAV to move coasts.

After 51 games, he is traded back to Pittsburgh Penguins.

In the new season, he is reassigned to affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins for some games in the current frame, but is recalled to trade to Columbus Blue Jackets.

After 33 games with 5 goals, 5 assists and a +6 rating, he gets an invite back to stay a Blue Jackets for 2026/2027.

05Aug

Hunter Shepard (30)

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Hershey Bears jumped fairly quickly to sign undrafted, former University Of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs‘ 2-time NCAA Champion, captain, goaltender Hunter Shepard(30) to a deal for 2020/2021.

The fairly large 6’1″ 210 lbs. net minder was reassigned to affiliate South Carolina Stingrays, where he has played 14 ECHL games, recording a 6’5-2 record with a 2.84 GAA and .915 SV% on a club headed to the postseason, as there was little room in the crease above for the young goalie.

He has gotten his opportunity to shine though in 2 AHL appearances delivering a pair of wins, including a debut shut out for a .50 GAA and .983 SV%.

The one-time NAHL Goaltender Of The Year in 2016, right before committing to college, the 25-year old has always seemed to work hard for any credit but has to have Washington Capitals step in and offer him an NHL entry level deal, as he is firmly on their radar.

For his efforts backstopping the Bears to a 12th Calder Cup Championship, he is rewarded with a 2-year, 2-way deal that is worth some handsome money wherever he throws on those pads.

He gets to start a 1st game, as the big club is out to a bit of a wobbly start and gets the W in a 6-4 contest, stopping 18 of 22 shots to potentially get a 2nd nod in another night.

His 2-1-1 record wasn’t bad, although maybe his numbers could have improved, but for a 2nd straight season with the affiliate, he posts a 27-4-3 record with a 1.76 GAA and .929 SV% to earn himself the Baz Bastien Award as the AHL’s Most Outstanding Goaltender and will once again look to push his club deep in the playoffs.

He’s all set with a 2-year contract through 2024/2025, so can continue to concentrate on winning.

Very successful in his time, as an unrestricted free agent, he signs a 1-year, 2-way deal with Ottawa Senators.

He is mostly tending net for affiliate Belleville Senators, but does see action in 1 big league game and finds himself traded to Montreal Canadiens, where he will likely report to Laval Rocket.

For 2026/2027, he decides to leave for a 1st time and accepts a deal with Barys Astana of the KHL.

05Aug

Tyler Weiss (40)

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2nd year left wing Tyler Weiss(40) agrees to a 1-year AHL deal with Hershey Bears for 2024/2025 after scoring well last season in the ECHL with Newfoundland Growlers.

The 5’10” 154 lbs. forward was actually signed by Toronto Marlies after twice putting up 20+ assists’ campaigns at University Of Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks.

From Raleigh, NC, the 24-year old did 2 sessions with USNTDP before heading to school.

After scoring a handy 22 goals and 34 assists in 63 games last season with South Carolina Stingrays with a +20 mark, he gets himself a contract with Chicago Wolves for 2025/2026 in a nice job of playing yourself up.

He unfortunately got shipped back down to the affiliate and scored decently even after a trade, but for 2026/2027 he makes the smart move and returns to South Carolina.

05Aug

Jack Millar (5)

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Colorado College Tigers‘ big 6’5″ 220 lbs. assistant captain, senior defenseman Jack Millar(5) signs an pto with Ontario Reign, but appears in only 1 game.

He had a college best 4 goals and 8 assists in 37 last frame.

From Westminster, CO, he stayed close to home for college, but played 2 USHL seasons with Cedar Rapids Roughriders before school.

The 23-year old also did all his youth hockey near home.

He will need a new deal for 2024/2025.

In 62 games under a new deal, he scores 12 assists with a +19 rating, then re-signs for 2 goals and 7 assists in 2025/2026 with another +18 rating.

For 2026/2027, he signs a 2-year deal to stay with the Reign.

05Aug

Ralfs Bergmanis (39)

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Minnesota State University (Mankato) Mavericks‘ Latvian-born senior defenseman Ralfs Bergmanis(39) scored 2 goals and new college hockey best 14 assists and 16 points with a +12 rating in 40 games last season.

The 5’11” 179 lbs. blue liner signs a 1st pro contract in Czechia2 for his rookie season with HC Dukla Jihlava in 2026/2027.

He did most of his youth hockey in Finland, but played 1 season pro back home, then 1 more junior where he did his youth before coming to the USHL.

From there, he 1st committed to University Of Vermont Catamounts for 2 seasons.

He will do well and play up the ladder, if that’s what he’s looking to do.