2nd year left wing Gianluca Esteves(28) had a decent enough rookie campaign for Cincinnati Cyclones, scoring 9 goals and 15 assists with a +2 rating, but decided to shop around for his next contract and agrees to 2022/2023 with non-divisional rivals Wichita Thunder.
He somehow never really struck for points in his four years at Michigan State University Spartans like he did in his 1 season of NAHL juniors for Aston Rebels.
The small 5’9″ 181 lbs. forward from Winnipeg, MB should find a little more room to put up points with his new club.
10th year defenseman Cameron Schilling(5) opts out of his minor league deal with Abbotsford Canucks to sign with Djurgardens IF of SHL for the remainder of 2021/2022.
Undrafted, the big 6’3″ 190 lbs. blue liner has always been able to play himself into NHL contracts, despite only officially playing 10 games with 1 assist to his credit in the league.
He had three seasons of 10+ assists through 4 years at Miami University-Ohio Redhawks with a +58 rating but somehow wasn’t able to get himself into a situation, where a strong stay-at-home style defenseman was needed.
The 33-year old from Carmel, IN has done well for himself and is probably just happy to be pulling down good contracts is worth smiling about.
After playing in the higher league last season, doing pretty darn well, he will take his game to Allsvenskan for 2022/2023, signing with the same club.
3rd year left wing Cam Morrison(45) is left unqualified by Chicago Blackhawks after a pair of seasons in their system.
In his only active season, he scored 5 goals and 9 assists in 43 AHL games for affiliate Rockford IceHogs with a +1 rating.
For 2022/2023, the big 6’3″ 209 lbs. forward signs a minor league deal to join Charlotte Checkers.
Originally a Colorado Avalanche 2nd round pick in the 2016 draft (#40 overall), but never signed leaving him an unrestricted free agent upon graduating University Of Notre Dame Fighting Irish, where he was always a 10+ assist player.
He was drafted after his only USHL session, where he blew up scoring with 34 goals, 32 assists and a +38 rating.
The Aurora, ON native is actually signed by Florida Panthers to his contract, who have him no their radar.
Worcester Railers‘ top scoring rookie center Brent Beaudoin(12) gets an invite up on loan to join Providence Bruins for at least the final few games of the 2021/2022 season after his team was eliminated from ECHL playoff contention.
The very hard working 5’11” 181 lbs. forward scored 14 goals and 26 assists for 40 points with a +2 rating on a team that wasn’t always winning games.
He spent 4 years at Brown University Bears putting up points at a decent rate and when he finished up college hockey he joined his current team for one game, getting a goal and an assist to let them know.
The 26-year old from Londonderry, NH, who played his junior hockey in a pair of pay-to-play leagues, may just be getting started and most definitely will put up a fight.
It seemed like almost a sure bet, but we waited a bit and yup, he re-signs to return for 2022/2023 and we expect him to put up more points and maybe even score more loans up to the higher league.
Undrafted 6th year center Tanner Sorenson(9) didn’t skate last season, as the team he has spent most of his pro career with also took it off due to COVID restrictions.
Kalamazoo Wings are back and quickly signed up the 5’9″ 179 lbs. forward with 67 goals and 95 assists in 217 ECHL games.
The former Michigan State University Spartans‘ pivot only had one good scoring season at school as a sophomore, but seemed to struggle with injuries later.
We’re not sure what it is but the 28-year old, Anchorage, AL native seems to love his hockey home in WI.
After putting up solid numbers, 20 goals and 36 assists last season, he signs with Nottingham Panthers for 2022/2023 and will likely do really well in the EIHL.
Minnesota Wild 8th year defenseman Kevin Czuczman(7) is spending most of his time thus far in 2021/2022 with affiliate Iowa Wild, but has been on the short list for recalls.
He has only skated 15 NHL games with 13 of those after his 3rd year at Lake Superior State University Lakers for entry level contract club, New York Islanders.
The 6’3″ 195 lbs. blu liner spent his first couple with their affiliate Bridgeport Sound Tigers, but when his contract expired was left unqualified as a group 6 free agent.
He couldn’t have landed at a better spot and signed for one year with Manitoba Moose, producing career high 9 goals and 23 assists to gain the attention of Pittsburgh Penguins, who signed him to a two-way for a year.
In his first frame for his new club, he once again reached a new best on assists, striking for 31 with a +15 rating.
He would make not equal this output in his 2nd year under contract, but did well enough to earn another two to stay.
The 30-year old from London, ON has definitely worked hard for what he has earned and mostly seemed to smile about it.
In likely the most no brainer of free agency, he signs for 2022/2023 with Ilves of Liiga and will likely perform really well in Finland’s top league.
5th year defenseman Jeff Taylor(3) signs to return to Hartford Wolf Pack after a year away, in which he was loaned up from contract club Jacksonville Icemen for 6 AHL games.
The 6′ 185 lbs. blue liner is still working his way into a full slate of appearances.
Originally a Pittsburgh Penguins‘ 7th round pick in the 2014 draft (#203 overall), his high is 43 contests as a sophomore skater mostly for affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
The 4-year Union College graduate definitely can put up numbers, as he did through college, scoring 18 goals and 74 assists with a +33 rating in 149 ECAC games.
It’s definitely possible the 27-year old from Clifton Park, NY plays more of a stay at home style to help accountability, which he is a +1 for 78 games in the league.
He maybe takes a little bit of a sure bet contract for 2022/2023, agreeing to terms with close to home Adirondack Thunder for 2022/2023.
It would be little surprise to see him have really good success with the local team.
11th year defenseman Nicholas Schaus(28) returns to Norfolk Admirals, where he spent 18 AHL games in his third pro season.
Now an ECHL team, in 5 games, he’s already posted a pair of assists.
The 5’11” 200 lbs. blue liner has always been known for dishing helpers in good amounts, reaching 20+ assists and 30+ points overseas on 3 occasions.
He had 10+ assists for 3 of 4 years at UMass-Lowell Riverhawks.
The 35-year old is a great team guy and maybe shows little signs of slowing down.
He likes where he is and decides to stay for 2022/2023 after putting in 4 goals and 11 assists.
This could be it, then he would be an amazing coach.
Undrafted rookie right wing Jack Billings(27) becomes one of the first player signings to the new ECHL team Iowa Heartlanders.
The Oak Lawn, IL native has already experienced an interesting run to ultimately turning pro.
He played his 1st junior season with Janesville Jets, scoring a modest 2 goals and 6 assists in 42 NAHL games as a youngster.
Also, drafted by Green Bay Gamblers, he skated 4 USHL games, grabbing an assist.
He would start the next season back in tier 2 junior hockey, but maybe almost oddly left to join a high performance skating league HPHL 18U for a spell before settling in with Brockville Braves to play out his 2nd frame.
Turns out he like the CCHL and settled in for the next couple years (41-77=118 in 130 games) before committing to Salve Regina University Seahawks DIII.
The 5’9″ 190 lbs. forward would have a decent rookie campaign, but really starting popping as a 2nd year skater for 19 goals and 26 assists in 40 games.
Just as he was readying for a third season at school, Niagara University Purple Eagles swoop in, he sits one season in the transfer portal and finishes up with two seasons on some very decent scoring ground.
The 25-year old is likely ready to transition his game to another level.
He scores 14 goals and 15 assists as a 1st year player and he’s off, signing a 1-year deal with Coventry Blaze of the EIHL for 2022/2023 and on a good team will likely light that league up big.
Colgate University Raiders‘ graduate right wing Griffin Lunn(16) signs a 1st pro contract for 2022/2023 with Wheeling Nailers.
The 5’10” 190 lbs. forward scored a college career best 12 goals and 19 points last season.
He played 2 USHL sessions before leaving for school with his 2nd one for a pair of teams showing good scoring signs.
The 24-year old, Buffalo, NY native will likely shine well in the ECHL.
