Category: Juniors

25Jul

Ross Mitton (47)

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Colgate University Raiders‘ senior right wing Ross Mitton(47) will take on a year of eligibility in Hockey East, when he suits up for University Of Maine Black Bears for a graduate session, 2024/2025.

The 5’10” 190 lbs. forward was the school’s top scorer last season with his new college best 11 goals and 19 assists in 34 games.

From Manhasset, NY, he went from the Portledge School, scoring to Fargo Force and Lincoln Stars, but didn’t find USHL success until hooking up with Omaha Lancers.

The undrafted 23-year old will be an interesting watch.

In 32 games, he scores 4 goals and 7 assists, while raising his on-ice to a +10 rating.

He finishes up tournament play and signs with Bridgeport Islanders, where he will hopefully get himself into at least a couple AHL games to get his pro game started.

In 1 game, he scores a 1st goal in the league.

It’s an easy bet he is invited to return for his official rookie frame as an Islanders, 2025/2026.

25Jul

Justin Danforth (17)

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Undrafted fourth year right wing Justin Danforth(17) played with three teams after completing his studies at Sacred Heart University Pioneers on ato’s before signing his first contract with the last club he skated for, Rochester Americans.

The small-ish 5’9″ 185 lbs. forward played most of his rookie campaign for affiliate Cincinnati Cyclones putting up a pile of points (28-31-59 in 44 ECHL games) with a +26 rating and taking home 2017/2018 Rookie Of The Year honors.

He was smart to take these outstanding numbers overseas agreeing with Luuko of Finland’s Liiga for his first trip outside of North American hockey and was able to put up a best 34 assists in a season, then following it up with another campaign as assistant captain for a career and league high 60 points and another +26.

The Oshawa, ON native took that experience to a new venture, heading to the KHL to skate for Vityaz Podolsk and he would go on to score a blazing 23 goals and 32 assists with a +3 rating, which has caught the attention of Columbus Blue Jackets.

They sign the 28-year old to his first NHL deal, a one-way contract for 2021/2022 and he is fully expected to make the opening night roster.

He was actually sent to affiliate Cleveland Monsters to open 2021/2022 and has gone right to work, grabbing 2 goals and 3 assists in 8 AHL games, earning him a first recall from the parent club.

In his debut, he skated a conservative 11 shifts for 7:23 ice time with 2 shots on net in a 5-3 win.

He has found himself some space and is scoring decently for 5 goals and 2 assists in 22 games and a +2 rating to earn himself a nice two-year extension to continue.

In the 1st year of his new deal, he tears his labrum and is reduced to just 6 games in the frame, but he did manage 2 goals and 1 assists with a +4 rating.

His tenacity earns him another year for 2024/2025 in a Blue Jackets‘ sweater worth a tidy $1.1M AAV to add to the kitty.

After 2 seasons of 20+ points scoring, the unrestricted free agent gets a 2-year add at $1.8M AAV with Buffalo Sabres and his head must be spinning a little.

25Jul

Zack Nazzarett (11)

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Long Island University Sharks‘ senior transfer from his freshman year at University Of Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves , left wing Zack Nazzarett(11) turns pro after graduating the independent college schedule the team plays with Fayetteville Marksmen.

The small 5’8″ 165 lbs. forward had a new college best 9 assists and tied his freshman points mark at 11.

In 2 SPHL games, he has his 1st assist.

The Cheektowaga, NY 23-year old native will likely do well in this league and could very well play himself up, if he sticks with it.

He is on a bit of a scoring tear with his rookie season club, Peoria Rivermen and is signed by Worcester Railers for the remainder of 2024/2025 to an spc.

With no points in 3 ECHL games, he is on the hunt for his next pro stop and eyes Germany3, signing with EHF Passau BlackHawks for 2025/2026.

25Jul

Jeremie Bucheler (4)

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Northeastern University Huskies‘ senior defenseman Jeremie Bucheler(4) will head north to Hockey East rival, University Of Vermont Catamounts to start a graduate year.

The impressively big, undrafted 6’4″ 200 lbs. blue liner had solid junior and senior campaigns with a goal and 10 then 9 assists, but a combined +28 rating.

With a good graduate frame, the 23-year old, Montreal, QC native could easily jump on an NHL teams radar.

He takes a fully breakout season, scoring new bests 6 goals, 12 assists and 18 points in 33 games to signing a 1st pro deal, an ato to join San Jose Barracuda.

In 52 ECHL games on reassignment to Wichita Thunder, he pots 6 goals and 26 assists in 52 games with a +7 rating.

He almost magically takes that to a new deal with Rockford Icehogs, who must have been eyeing him as he was playing close by.

25Jul

Colby Enns (55)

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Merrimack College Warriors‘ graduate defenseman Colby Enns(55) already has 1 assist in 1 game with his new team.

The 6’2″ 205 lbs. 4-year Northern Michigan University Wildcats also did 1 year at University Of Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks after a single season each in the NAHL and USHL for junior hockey.

He left his 1st school after 1 game to skate for Lincoln Stars.

From Minot, ND, he played the local USHS-ND high school.

The 25-year old is in a good position as he continues to play.

In his transfer to Hockey East, he picks up 4 assists in scoring.

Upon completion of tournament play, he signs a 1st pro deal with Iowa Heartlanders.

He plays 1 ECHL game to get his feet wet, but decides to sign with Utah Grizzlies for his rookie frame, 2025/2026.

25Jul

Conrad Fondrk (16)

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USNTDP 2nd year center Conrad Fondrk(16) didn’t seem to skate quite as full a clip as he did his 1st season, but was still quite adept at scoring.

The 6′ 203 lbs. forward is a 2025/2026 commit to Boston University Terriers.

He also happened to be about a month ago New Jersey Devils‘ 2nd round pick in the 2025 draft (#50 overall).

From St. Paul, MN, the still young 18-year old has a lot to look forward to.

24Jul

Marc McLaughlin (28)

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Undrafted center Marc McLaughlin(28) makes his big league debut just a couple weeks after signing his Boston Bruins‘ 2-year entry level deal.

In his 1st outing he scores a 1st NHL goal in an 8-1 rout.

The 6′ 210 lbs. forward skated 20 shifts for 13:01 ice time, 3 shots, 1 hit, 1 takeaway and left the game with a +1 rating.

He finished up 4 years as 2-time captain of Boston College Eagles, scoring a college career high 21 goals and 31 points as a senior.

The 22-year old from North Billerica, MA is playing hockey in his backyard and likely has a huge guest list every game.

In an easy no-brainer move, he is signed to a 1-year 2-way deal as a 1st time restricted free agent and we expect him to elevate his AHL game with Providence Bruins, but also compete for open spots with the big club.

Almost a tiny bit surprisingly, he doesn’t do as good with a 2nd full season, but does earn himself a recall and gets himself a 1st NHL goal.

For 2024/2025, he is re-signed on another 1-year, 2-way deal to stick in a Bruins‘ sweater.

He grabs 2 goals in the big league and is a pivotal player with the affiliate, but will need a new deal as an unrestricted free agent in the new year and is sought by the rebuilding New Jersey Devils.

And unrestricted free agent, he signs a new 1-year deal to remain a Devils for 2025/20226.

24Jul

Ryan Lindgren (55)

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New York Rangers‘ 7th year defenseman, Ryan Lindgren(55) gets a late season trade to a playoff team, Colorado Avalanche.

For 6 years, the 6′ 194 lbs. blue liner has recorded 10+ assists.

He had 3 assists with a +5 rating in 7 playoff games before bowing out.

Originally a Boston Bruins‘ 2nd round pick in the 2016 draft (#49 overall), he was traded before ever suiting up for them officially.

He did 2 years of USNTDP before heading to University Of Minnesota Golden Gophers, where he left after his sophomore frame.

An unrestricted free agent, he signs quickly for 4 years at $4.5M AAV with Seattle Kracken.

24Jul

Chase Yoder (17)

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Providence College Friars‘ senior center Chase Yoder(17) scored what turned out to be the game-winner for the 2023 Mayor’s Cup, Battle of Providence vs. Brown University Bears, 3-0.

The 5’10” 176 lbs. forward is easily threatening college bests with 6 goals and 6 assists in 17 games.

A Pittsburg Penguins‘ 6th round pick in the 2020 draft (#170 overall), the Fairview, TX native did 2 years in the USNTDP system before school.

We think this is the season to see an uptick in the 21 year old’s game, getting him ready to sign an NHL entry level deal.

He goes unsigned by his draft club, but somehow picks up the radar of Winnipeg Jets, who get him signed to an AHL contract with affiliate Manitoba Moose for 2025/2026.

24Jul

Scott Morrow (23)

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UMASS Minutemen junior defenseman Scott Morrow(23) is looking to put up more career high college stats this season with 5 goals and 15 assists in just 16 games with a +7, looking to best 13 and 22, but looking good.

The 6’2″ 192 lbs. blue liner played exactly 2 USHL games of junior hockey with Youngstown Phantoms, grabbing an assist after finishing up at Shattuck St. Mary’s USHS-Prep.

From Darien, CT, the 21-year old is a Carolina Hurricanes‘ 2nd round pick in the 2021 draft (#40 overall).

He looks like an easy 2-year entry level contract, but that just means they will have to work with him through restricted free agent contracts.

After recording a college best 24 assists and a 3rd 30+ point season, he leaves a year on the table to sign a 3-year NHL entry level deal.

He is traded to New York Rangers, who hopefully becomes part of their new d corp.