Category: Minor League Deal

Nashville Predators sign their 2017, 3rd round pick (#92 overall) Boston University graduate, defenseman David Farrance(9) to a 2-year entry level contract as he finishes up his 4 session at school scoring another more than point per game performance (5-11 in 11 games).

He had his best season as a junior in ’19/20, when he rocked 14 goals from the “point” to go along with 29 helpers through 34 games.

After a pair of campaigns with USNTDP, in the 2nd he amassed 30 assists to likely get him fully on the NHL club’s radar as well as his future college.

The 6′ 190 lbs. blue liner may report first to affiliate Milwaukee Admirals, but you can beat he will be fighting for a roster spot with the big club as soon as he arrives.

He would play 50 AHL games as a rookie, scoring 1 goal and 13 assists, but would not be given a qualifying offer to stay.

For 2022/2023, he signs a 1-year minor league contract with last year’s champs, Chicago Wolves.

After 14 games, scoring a goal and 4 assists, the d-man finds himself on the move, as Colorado Eagles see something they can use in his game and trade for him.

2 goals and 17 assists in 31 games and he is on the move, signing a 1-year deal with Toronto Marlies for 2023/2024.

He has mostly been loaned to affiliate Newfoundland Growlers, scoring 2 assists, but searching for something better finds it, signing with ERC Ingolstadt of DEL for the remainder of the session.

Coming away with 2 assists in 7 playoff games, he moves on to sign with KooKoo of Liiga for 2024/2025.

After exceeding his 29 assist junior year with a new high 35 in 53 games and a +26 rating, he will move his game up to the KHL, signing with HC Sibir Novosibirsk.

He takes maybe a bit of a slow start in Russia to a new contract back in DEL with Augsburger Panther in hopes of upping his game.

Curry College Colonels‘ graduate defenseman Billy Roche(18) signed upon graduation with Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs, scoring a 1st SPHL goal for himself in 3 games with a +1 rating.

This has earned the 6’2″ 205 lbs. blue liner a 1-year 2-way ECHL deal with Rapid City Rush for 2023/2024.

He played his 1st 4 college hockey years at Suffolk University Rams and had his best scoring season as a senior captain with 3 goals and 13 assists in 20 games.

A Braintree, MA native, he played at BC High USHS-Prep before heading to a year of tier 3 juniors, then up to USPHL/NCDC with South Shore Kings before heading to school.

The 26-year old is likely very ready for his rookie season of pro hockey.

In 53 games, he scores 7 goals and 10 assists with a +9 rating to earn another look in a Yard Dawgs‘ jersey for 2024/2025.

As the new season approaches, he is traded before a 3rd year with the same team to rivals Knoxville Ice Bears.

He is actually loaned up after a good performance to Greensboro Gargoyles, but is traded after 6 games with no points to South Carolina Stingrays, 2025/2026.

2nd year center Chris Mott(10) has played his way up into the SPHL quite nicely for himself after 1st spending time in the FPHL.

The 5’10” 165 lbs. forward signed with Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs.

In 14 games, he has 2 goals and 1 assist.

The former Morrisville State College Mustangs did 2 years of juniors before school.

From Nesconset, NY, the 26-year old played the PAL Jr. Islanders‘ system through youth hockey.

2nd year defenseman Garrett Pyke(20) may have been tiring of playing time in the lower league, so breaks his contract and decides to head for some better hockey in Liiga, signing with HPK for the rest of 2025/2026.

The 6’1″ 201 lbs. blue liner did a successful graduate frame at University Of North Dakota Fighting Hawks, recording 3 goals, college best 22 assists and 25 points.

He came over from 4 years at University Of Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks, where he served as senior captain.

From Etobicoke, ON, the 26-year old has no points in 2 games overseas.

Quinnipiac University Bobcats graduate right wing T.J. Friedmann(19) signs a 1st pro deal, an ato for the remainder of 2023 with Utica Comets.

In 2 AHL games, he has no points, as they head into the 1st round of the Calder Cup playoffs.

He scored a college career best 11 goals last season and twice had 20+ points.

The 6’2″ 180 lbs. forward from St. Louis, MO had a pair of solid junior campaigns in the BCHL for Victoria Grizzlies before committing to school.

He spent most of his rookie frame with affiliate Adirondack Thunder, scoring pretty well and signs with them for 2024/2025.

In his 2nd frame with the team, he scores 12 goals and 10 assists in 58 games, which is good enough to keep around and continue to develop as a Thunder.

After almost 3 years in the same jersey, he gets traded to Jacksonville Icemen, who apparently need him a bit more.

Salve Regina University Seahawks‘ senior left wing Damon Zimmer(17) scored 6 goals in 3 of his 4 college seasons and also recorded 11 assists in his 1st two frames.

The 6’2″ 196 lbs. forward started junior hockey in the AJHL, but moved down to the NAHL before heading to school.

He started the SPHL with Peoria Rivermen, but transferred to Birmingham Bulls, where he has skated 25 games for 3 assists.

From Heisler, AB, the 25-year old should hit the net for more points, as he goes.

Johnson & Wales University Wildcats‘ senior defenseman Kadyn Fennell(2) played a college high 25 games, scoring a new best 6 goals and 5 assists with a +2 rating.

The 6′ 181 lbs. blue liner signed a 1st pro deal with Danbury Hat Tricks and in 24 FPHL games has 3 goals and 11 assists.

He transferred from a freshman season at Rivier University Raiders.

From Evansville, IL, we look for the 25-year old to do well and maybe even play himself up a level.

 

Orlando Solar Bears‘ 2nd year left wing Tanner Schachle(17) will return for 2024/2025 after scoring 4 goals and 12 assists in 50 games with a +8 rating.

The 6’4″ 218 lbs. forward has still been looking for that spark to affect his ECHL scoring.

He was never much of a scorer with 7 goals and 7 assists as a sophomore at University Of Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves before transferring to Long Island University Sharks, where he wasn’t used much.

From Wasilla, AK, the 27-year old would love to see another breakout, like his 2nd NAHL frame with Fairbanks Ice Dogs.

After just 2 games into his 2nd season with 1 team, he traded to Worcester Railers, where he only figures into 11 games, but manages to score 1 goal and 4 assists with a +1 rating and signs for 2025/2026 with his brother Porter, giving his team a very menacing look.

He isn’t getting much use, through 10 games scores only 1 assist and is released, but Bloomington Bison are watching and invite him to a contract.

UMass Minutemen junior goaltender Henry Graham(30) enters the transfer portal after a college career high 8 appearances last season for a 1-2-1 record with 2.38 GAA and .912 SV%, but will take his game to Hockey East rival Boston University Terriers for 2023/2024, his senior frame.

The 6’1″ 181 lbs. net minder arrived at his 1st school after a decent USHPL/NCDC showing with P.A.L. Junior Islanders after playing the Honeybaked system.

From Manhattan, NY, the undrafted 22-year old should be offered opportunities to start.

He transfers to Lindenwood University Lions for a graduate frame 2024/2025, but appears in only 2 starts.

Fort Wayne Komets offer him a tryout to make their club  for 2025/2026.

He actually bounces down to the FPHL for a contract with Monroe Mocassins, but is struggling some to find consistency.

Notre Dame University Fighting Irish senior captain Nick Leivermann(4) was originally selected by Colorado Avalanche in the 7th round of the 2017 draft (#178 overall), but went unsigned upon completing his graduate frame with a 3rd 10+ assist season (21 as a senior).

He turns pro and signs a 1-year AHL deal with last year’s Calder Cup Champion, Hershey Bears for 2023/2024.

The 5’11” 185 lbs. blue liner from Eden Praire, MN did only 1 BCHL season with Penticton Vees before heading to school.

At 24-years old, he’s likely gunning to get going.

After a solid rookie frame, scoring 3 goals and 13 assists in 37 games with a +5 rating is an easy re-sign to stay a Bears for 2025/2026.

He wasn’t in many games, but put up points in any efforts he was a part of, but decides to leave for an option in the SHL with Farjestad BK that should work out well.