Category: Minor League Deal

24Jun

Derek Nesbitt (17)

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16th year veteran left wing Derek Nesbitt(17) will have his career culminate with his 1000th pro game played for 9th ECHL season club, Atlanta Gladiators, 5th as captain.

He has skated games in 4 different leagues, including 7 playoff matchups for Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs of the CHL (Central Hockey League) and one season overseas for HC Bolzano in EBEL.

The 6′ 195 lbs. forward has 372 AHL games to his credit, appearing in 4 full frames in the league, but also a pair of years, where he was playing more games closer to the NHL than not.

He has played for 5 teams that don’t exist anymore and the native of Egmondville, ON won a 2007 Kelly Cup in his one season with Idaho Steelheads.

The 39-year old, former graduate, almost point-per-game player at Ferris State University Bulldogs has to have a little smile on his face for the achievement, but also taking in as much of the game as he’s been able to in his time on ice.

At the conclusion of 2021/2022, he closes the door on 615 games played, 538 points scored in the E, 372, 225 points in the A and 154 games, 142 points NCAA.

His no. 17 is retired to the rafters and he assumes duties as the team’s assistant coach.

1 year later and he is named the 6th Head Coach in the team’s history and everyone in Gladiatortown is completely happy.

22Jun

Nick Hutchison (37)

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Undrafted 3rd year center Nick Hutchison(37) circles back to Adirondack Thunder, the team he started his pro career with 1 ECHL game after finishing up 4 years at Canisius College Golden Griffins.

In his debut he scored a first goal, got an assist too and left the game a +3 rating.

The 6’3″ 201 lbs. forward would have circled back sooner but the team decided to suspend 2020/2021 due to COVID restrictions, so he branched out, inked a deal with Indy Fuel, scored 6 goals and 13 assists in 47 games.

He was a strong scorer in college, amassing 60 goals and 53 assists in 140 Atlantic Hockey games with a +16 rating for on-ice accountability.

The 26-year old, Hicksville, NY native will likely light it up big in 2021/2022 is what we’re thinking.

Needing more help on the back end, the former Salmon Arms Silverbacks pivot gets traded for a defenseman to Wheeling Nailers just before the new session is readying.

The far above a point-per-game guy in the league, he gets loaned up with no success through 5 AHL games to upper affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, but a month later heads off to Manitoba Moose, where in his 8th game he gets his 1st and a night later follows it up with a 2nd to go along with an assist.

It’s likely he stays in this uniform for as long as possible on a pto.

He would finish up 2021/2022 scoring 3 goals and 4 assists in 27 games with a -3 rating and also appeared in 4 playoff games.

For 2022/2023, he gets a bit of a change of scenery and signs a 1-year deal with Utica Comets.

After 31 games, good for 4 goals and 5 assists, he gets acquire by the team he played only 1 game for Adirondack Thunder and is right to business, getting 3 goals and 2 assists in 3 games.

It’s doubtful he stays.

For 2023/2024, he’s off and signs with Vasteras IK of HockeyAllsvenskan and should do well in Sweden’s tier 2 hockey league.

19Jun

Michael Huntebrinker (37)

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5th year center Michael Huntebrinker(37) takes his point-per-game numbers for HC Innsbruck through 45 IceHL games with a +6 rating to a new adventure midseason to Switzerland tier 2 SL, joining HC La Chaux-de-Fonds for the remainder of 2021/2022.

The 5’11” 194 lbs. forward is a 4-time 40+ point scorer in the ECHL, ascending to a high last season with Florida Everblades to 46.

He spent four years at Minnesota State University (Mankato) Mavericks, leaving them with a college career high 18 assists and 22 points.

The 29-year old may just play himself up the ladder overseas.

His 34 assists were a league most last season and he helped his 2nd team to a deep playoff run, and for it decides to head to the competitive SlovakExtraliga, signing with HKM Zvolen for 2022/2023.

After a point-per-game season, getting 13 goals and a league high 37 assists in 50 games, he is quickly thought to re-up for 2023/2024 and continue with that scoring putting up career best numbers.

Apparently, the now 30-year is rethinking his path forward and has decided to retire.

18Jun

Cory Conacher (10)

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13th year center Cory Conacher(10) initially played a couple of games for Belleville Senators, but that was short lived and is likely going to be more comfortable joining Charlotte Checkers for the remainder of 2023.

Undrafted, he was initially signed to a minor league deal and won the fantasy run 2012 Calder Cup for Norfolk Admirals.

The 5’8″ 185 lbs. forward was next signed for a pair of seasons on a 2-way deal with Tampa Bay Lightning, but traded midway through his debut campaign to Ottawa Senators.

They lost him in the 2nd year of his term to Buffalo Sabres, who claimed him off waivers.

He would next sign the 1st of 4 1-way NHL contracts with New York Islanders, but toiled more time in the minors.

The Burlington, ON native would leave for the NL, hooking up with SC Bern, striking for more than point-per-game numbers en route to a 2016 Championship.

He would return on nice deals for the next few runs with the Lightning before again returning to Switzerland to win more titles.

The 33-year old former Canisius College Golden Griffins standout is likely just smiling, still playing hockey.

In 15 games he grabs 4 goals and 5 assists with a +3 rating, then adds another 3 points in 7 playoff matchups.

For 2023/2024, he moves on in the league to sign with Chicago Wolves.

15Jun

Brodie Reid (21)

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11th year right wing Brodie Reid(21) spent last season closer to home pumping the scoresheet for Kansas City Mavericks, scoring 25 goals and 35 assists in 60 ECHL games, returning from 5 years in Austria’s EBEL, skating 2 campaigns with HC Bolzano, then 2 for Dornbirner EC and 1 at Villacher SV.

He was mostly a 40-point player in that league.

The 6′ 187 lbs. forward has decided to switch things up, agreeing to terms for 2021/2022 with Cardiff Devils and he’s just exploded the stat sheet with 9 goals and 1 assists in 6 EIHL games.

After only a year at Northeastern University, he turned pro on a 2-year entry level deal with San Jose Sharks that was extended once, but he was never recalled from affiliate Worcester Sharks, where he was a 20-point performer.

He would next sign late to join Elmira Jackals, but lasted only 9 games before he was loaned up to the AHL for the remainder of the session.

It was after that season, when the now 32-year old left for overseas and has stuck nicely with good success.

He comes off a career year for goals, 31 and points, 59 with his new club and decides to stay put for in Cardiff for 2022/2023.

After 2 successful seasons, he will push off for a new adventure, joining Ducs D’Angers of Ligue Magnus for 2023/2024.

11Jun

Stephen MacAulay (81)

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8th year left wing Stephen MacAulay(81) will spend a 3rd & 4th season with Dusseldorfer EG after putting up a healthy 17 goals and 19 assists in 56 DEL games with a +17 rating.

He originally earned a promotion up from DEL2 after the 2020/2021 silly season with Loewen Frankfurt, but did manage 17 goals and 23 assists in 35  games with a +15, which earned him a look at the higher level.

The 6’2″ 187 lbs. forward originally skated 4 seasons in the QMJHL, mostly with Saint John Sea Dogs, where he won 2 Championships and Memorial Cups before heading to Halifax Mooseheads to win another pair of trophies.

He would next turn pro, but maybe wasn’t loving the results so enrolled in St. Marys University Huskies for the next 3 years.

Originally a St. Louis Blues‘ 6th round pick in the 2010 draft (#164 overall), he never signed, but did ink an AHL deal out of school with affiliate Springfield Thunderbirds.

Despite scoring some, he was sent down to affiliate Florida Everblades, where he would sign for the next frame and blow up scoring.

11Jun

Anthony Vincent (91)

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Long Island University Sharks‘ graduate right wing Anthony Vincent(91) signs an ato to join San Jose Barracuda, as they fight for an AHL playoff spot.

The 6′ 190 lbs. forward finished up his transfer season from 4 at Holy Cross College Crusaders with clear career bests, 17 goals and 20 assists in 36 games said it all.

From Wilton, CT, he did a couple of junior season in the BCHL before committing to college.

The 25-year old has played 2 games with no points, but it’s still early, especially in this league.

In 14 games, he may have only recorded 2 assists with a -5 rating, but they saw something they like and sign him to stay in Sharks‘ region for his rookie season, 2023/2024.

06Jun

Joey Martin (88)

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12th year center Joey Martin(88) gets back to his team of 6 seasons, Cardiff Devils after a couple COVID years away to play one successful Stavenger Oilers‘ Norway and one Austria’s IceHL Graz 99ers before returning for 2022/2023.

The 5’10” 185 lbs. forward played two seasons for Toledo Walleye, fresh out of 4 years at University Of Nebraska Huskers, where he served as senior captain and was always a solid performer.

He signed for his third season with Stockton Heat and took a ride to the Kelly Cup Finals before bowing out and was a point-per-game performer.

The Thorold, ON native has been loaned up to the AHL in each of his campaigns, probably doing best in his last, skating 9 games with Bridgeport Sound Tigers, tallying 2 goals an 2 assists.

He has always scored big in the league, 20+ goals and just under 40 assists a year and is a 4-time EIHL Champion with the team.

The 33-year is likely just glad to get back to where he knows playing pro hockey at a high level.

As assistant captain, he records yet again another amazing frame, scoring 22 goals and 34 assists, which is still good for only 5th overall points he has scored with the team.

Quite obviously he is offered an 8th year to return to the Devils core for 2023/2024.

26May

Joshua Lammon (40)

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After two very solid seasons with Allen Americans‘ 3rd year center Joshua Lammon(40) is moving on, signing with Cardiff Devils of the EIHL for 2021/2022.

The 6′ 190 lbs. forward scored 22 goals and 47 assists in 130 ECHL games with a +35 rating.

He was similar through 4 years at Mercyhurst University Lakers, serving as team captain as a senior, grabbing 35 goals and 39 assists with a +24 rating.

Even through a quick 9 games after graduation with Florida Everblades, he struck for a tidy 2 goals and 4 assists.

There’s little doubt the 25-year old from Jackson, MI will find his openings to score points.

In the new overseas league, he was able to essentially strike at the same rate as he did in the previous 2 seasons, getting 9 goals and 7 assists in 35 games with a +3 rating.

He takes that experience and brings his game back, signing with Kansas City Mavericks for 2022/2023.

We’ll see where his game goes.

He is impressive with 11 goals and 20 assists in 63 games with a +13 rating, that he will take with him in the offseason to a new experience, hooking up with the AIHL to suit up for Sydney Bears, which should prove to be a lot of fun.

17May

Brian Wilson (30)

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Danbury Hat Tricks‘ 2nd year goaltender Brian Wilson(30) backstopped 40 saves along the way to a 3-2 overtime win for the 2023 FPHL Commissioners Cup.

The big 6’4″ 185 lbs. net minder appeared in 41 regular season games, posting a phenomenal 31-5 record with a 2.68 GAA and .919 SV%, then won 7 in the playoffs.

He bounced around a bit as a rookie, but eventually the former 4-year Niagara University Purple Eagles‘ backstop ended up in Connecticut, leading to what has occurred this season.

There must be a pretty big smile on the 26-year old from Mississauga, ON’s face right about now, who also happened to win the Goaltender Of The Year award.