Category: Juniors

6th year net minder Eamon McAdam(37) finds a good deal to split for Metal Ligaen, joining Esbjerg Energy in 2021/2022.

Originally a New York Islanders‘ 3rd round pick in the 2013 draft (#70 overall), he signed a three-year entry level deal after completing his 3rd year at Penn State University Nittany Lions and mostly languished through equal time between affiliates Bridgeport Sound Tigers and their ECHL partner putting together ok numbers.

He was traded to Toronto Maple Leafs in the final campaign of his contract and once again did equal time in the pair of minor leagues.

The sturdy 6’3″ 198 lbs. goalie was left unqualified and signed an AHL deal with Binghamton Devils, but was sent for the duration of the session to Adirondack Thunder, starting a career high 40 games.

He almost seemed to come to life more last season with Jacksonville Icemen, going 4-2-2 with a best 2.53 GAA and .915 SV%.

The 27-year old should find more new life in Denmark’s top hockey.

He takes some conservatively good numbers to his next opportunity, signing for 2022/2023 with Guilford Flames of the EIHL.

After 3 seasons with one team in the league, he branches out to join rivals Sheffield Steelers for 2025/2026.

University Of Guelph Gryphons‘ senior defenseman, captain Tristan De Jong(5) scored a college tying 3 goals and by far best 14 assists for 17 points last season and signs a 1st pro contract with Greenville Swamp Rabbits.

In 7 ECHL games, he has 1 assist.

The 6’2″ 201 lbs. blue liner did 3 years QMJHL and 2 GOJHL before heading to school.

From Breslau, ON, the 24-year old is looking .

He plays 18 games with 2 assists and is liked by what they see to sign him up for his rookie frame, 2025/2026 as a Swamp Rabbits.

3rd year center J.D. Dudek(18) returned to these shores after spending 2020/2021 overseas with Bodens HF doing quite well with 7 goals and 4 assists in 16 HockeyEttan games with a +7 rating and re-signed to Worcester Railers, who he spent 27 ECHL games with as a rookie (2-10-12).

Originally a New Jersey Devils‘ 6th round pick in the 2014 draft (#152 overall), he signed an ato with affiliate Binghamton Devils upon graduating 4 years at Boston College Eagles, but that’s about how far it went.

The Auburn, NH native was quickly dished to Allen Americans after 1 game back in central MA.

Soon to be turning 26, he has to have his eye on what might be more possible for his playing career overseas.

He would get 6 goals and 10 assists with a +4 rating in 62 games last season and decides maybe return as thought, signing for 2022/2023 with Tranas AIF, where once again he should put up strong numbers in Sweden’s tier 3 league.

After 14 games, scoring 4 goals and 4 assists with a +2 rating, he decides to head elsewhere, joining Coventry Blaze for the remainder of 2022/2023.

He walks away from last season with 9 goals and 8 assists in 29 games with a +5, which is favorable enough to score 2023/2024 to once again play in the EIHL.

After almost 2 seasons with the English team, he decides to head back home and signs with the Railers once again for a hopeful improved outcome.

He does decently in his time back close to home, but maybe misses the overseas action more and is a better payday for him to join Manchester Storm for 2025/2026.

Quinnipiac University Bobcats‘ senior transfer from 3 years at Boston University Terriers‘ goaltender Vinny Duplessis(37) may have made the right decision, as he’s already started more games at 11 than he’s played in a single frame previous and has maybe equaled his other stats with 2.15 GAA and .910 SV%.

The 6’1″ 170 lbs. net minder from Quebec, QC had his best junior year in the AJHL for Whitecourt Wolverines, right before committing to college.

We think the 24-year old will have some eyes on him as an unrestricted free agent, if he decides to turn pro next.

After a huge overtime playoff loss for his new team in which he was spectacular, he maybe a bit oddly signs with Utah Grizzlies, who are fighting for a playoff spot and have only 2 ECHL games remaining.

He plays the pair of games, with a 0-1-1 count and 3.07 GAA and .905 SV% to secure him a contract for his rookie season, 2024/2025, guarding in a Grizzlies‘ jersey.

After an uneven season with a struggling team, he finds an amazing path, as Trois Rivieres Lions look to add him after winning the 2025 Kelly Cup, so he joins a strong club.

San Jose Sharks‘ acquired defenseman Henry Thrun(3) from draft team Anaheim Ducks, where he was selected in the 4th round of 2019 (#101 overall) and after 3 years at Harvard University Crimson, putting up just about equal stats as a sophomore and junior with 7 goals and 25/24 assists, he has decided to sign a 2-year NHL entry level deal to turn pro.

The big 6’2″ 195 lbs. blue liner skated his 1st big league game with his new pro team, getting a tough 4-3 OT win and him picking up a pair of assists in the conquest, earning a 2nd star of the game.

He has always been a good assist guy, twice with 10+, almost 20 when with the USNTDP, when he got drafted.

The 22-year old from Southborough, MA plays to form and will likely do very well for himself.

In his 16th appearance, for the new year 2024, he steps up to score a first big league goal.

He is handily playing himself into a full-time role with the big club and it’s now extended for another 2-year to continue that growth in a Sharks‘ sweater for the big man on d.

In maybe an oddball move, he gets shipped to Toronto Maple Leafs with a year remaining on his low-pay contract and he should shine pretty bright on a team that could really use him to improve.

Yale University Bulldogs‘ senior left wing Cole Donhauser(23) takes a new, modest college best scoring 6 goals and 7 assists in 27 games with a +1 rating on a terrible team to a 1st pro contract with Coventry Blaze for 2023/2024.

The 6′ 195 lbs. forward should find room in the EIHL to score more than he has in school.

From Kenmore, NY, he played only 1 BCHL season for Chilliwack Chiefs.

The 23-year old is likely ready to get started.

Through 7 games, he nets 2 assists, but may be yearning for hockey a little closer to home, so signs for the remainder of 2024 with Idaho Steelheads.

He lasts just 2 games there and is traded to Greenville Swamp Rabbits.

After a not so amazing 2023/2024, he signs on for what he hopes is his rookie season with Worcester Railers, 2024/2025.

He does come to play with his new club, scoring 10 goals and 19 assists in 71 games and is easily invited to return a Railers for 2025/2026.

Northeastern University Huskies‘ senior transfer from Merrimack College Warriors, left wing Liam Walsh(27) is fitting right in with his new team.

The 6’1″ 194 lbs. forward may not have any points in 3 games, but has been a huge spark plug out there, helping his team score or stay even.

He is a 0 rating.

There’s little doubt he’s show ability to score through youth hockey, high school and his 3rd and final USHL season as captain with Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, and even posted 10 goals and 17 assists as a junior in the last frame.

The 23-year old from Bridgeville, IL is likely just getting started in continued Hockey East play.

After a graduate frame at NU, he turns pro, signing a 1-year ECHL deal with Savannah Ghost Pirates for his rookie year, 2024/2025.

13 goals and 14 assists through a full slate of 72 games last season and they want him to be a Ghost Pirates for 2025/2026.

University Of New Hampshire Wildcats‘ senior right wing Robert Cronin(13) had by far a best college scoring with 17 goals and 11 assists that he takes to a 1st pro contract with Maine Mariners.

In 13 ECHL games, the 5’10” 187 lbs. forward had 5 goals and 3 assists.

From Plymouth, MA, he did 2 USHL seasons with Dubuque Fighting Saints, scoring big in his 2nd frame.

The 24-year old will need a new contract moving forward.

For 2025/2026, he will return for his rookie season in an Mariners‘ jersey.

Merrimack College Warriors‘ graduate left wing, Ben Brar(18) takes a new college best 14 assists to a 1st pro deal with Florida Everblades.

In 3 ECHL games, he has 2 assists.

The 6’2″ 195 lbs. forward from Abbotsford, BC did 3 BCHL seasons, really connecting in his 3rd frame as assistant captain with Prince George Spruce Kings before heading to school.

There’s little doubt the 25-year old is ready to contribute a power game style.

He keeps those 2 helpers through 5 games, then adds another 1 in 7 en route to the 2024 Kelly Cup Championship and he will return for more in 2024/2025.

Signed as a rookie, he scores 9 goals and 5 assists with a +9 rating.

For 2025/2026, he re-signs for a 2nd year to stay an Everblades.