Category: Minor League Deal

University Of Lowell Riverhawks‘ undrafted junior center Reid Stefanson(14) catches maximum air in their first of two vs. Northeastern University Huskies.

The Winnipeg-born 6′ 185 lbs. forward was not able to connect with the scoresheet in the game but was a full part of a sound 4-1 win.

He did two years of junior hockey starting with a season in the NAHL but finished up skating for Sioux Falls Stampede of the USHL.

The senior graduated with exact totals of 8 goals and 12 assists he posted as a rookie, but always skated hard and was tough to play against.

Upon getting beaten in Hockey East tournament play, he signs a 1st pro contract with somewhat local Maine Mariners.

He didn’t connect in his debut, but got on the score sheet in game 2 and followed it up with another and a two-game point streak.

The 25-year old is finding his footing quickly in the ECHL.

He will return to Maine for his rookie season after scoring a pair of goals and assists in 9 games on an ato, and another 2 points in 6 playoff appearances.

The power forward should be able to take his game up nicely in his first official season and could even score a loan up.

After a 22 goal and 25 assist performance with a +22 rating in 69 games, he is an easy re-sign to stay in a Mariners‘ jersey for 2023/2024.

He’s an easy point-per-game player as a full 2nd year player in the league and looks elsewhere to find a nice deal with Vienna Capitals to continue in IceHL, where he will likely do very well for himself and become something of a star on skates.

In 13 games, he comes away with 2 goals and 6 assists and maybe doesn’t feel like he is quite catching on, so heads to the EIHL, where he signs with Nottingham Panthers for 2024/2025.

He does pretty well scoring here, but may likes hockey a little better in Central Europe and signs Meran/Merano of AlpsHL, where he should do exceedingly well.

Northern Michigan University Wildcats‘ graduate defenseman Bo Hanson(3) is set to turn pro and signs a 1-year 2022/2023 ECHL deal to skate for Jacksonville Icemen.

He played 9 games on an ato for Wheeling Nailers after graduating last season, scoring 2 assists with a +3 rating.

The 6’2″ 205 lbs. blue liner has hit 10+ assists three times, twice while at St. Lawrence University Saints.

He also did his senior year on the interim at University Of Denver Pioneers.

The 24-year old from Boise, ID will likely have a fantastic rookie season.

After a decent enough 1st year playing pro hockey, he’s off and gone to Metal Ligaen, signing up with Aalborg Pirates to play Danish-style in 2023/2024.

He has an outstanding season in Denmark, scoring 7 goals and 20 assists in 45 games with a +26 rating, then adds another 5 assists in 14 playoff matchups.

For 2024/2025, it looks like he wants to go with a championship, as he signs with Belfast Giants of the EIHL.

After 51 games, he scores 2 goals and 28 assists with a +35 rating and goes on to help the team win the 2025 Championship, so he is an easy ask to return to be a Giants for 2025/2026.

8th year goaltender Michael Garteig(34) signs on for a 2nd DEL season with ERC Ingolstadt after appearing in 42 games, posting a 25-15 record with a 2.22 GAA and .914 SV%.

A bit oddly, it’s the 1st time he has signed twice with a team.

The undrafted 6’1″ 190 lbs. net minder originally signed a 1-year NHL entry level deal with Vancouver Canucks after an outstanding 4-year run at Quinnipiac University Bobcats.

For his 3rd season he signed an ECHL contract to tend net for Newfoundland Growlers, a team on the other end of Canada from where he was born, Prince George, BC.

With a 23-14-6 record in the regular frame, then 16-6-1 in the playoffs, he backstopped the team to the 2019 Kelly Cup Championship.

He left a storybook career at BCHL juniors with awards in his name, so it’s almost mystical to see the 31-year old settle down for a 1st time.

After spending a 4th season with the same club, he moves on to rivals, Augsburger Panther in 2025/2026.

Curry College Colonels‘ senior defenseman Jacob Crespo(5) signs a 1st pro deal with Twin City Thunderbirds after he was traded for his rookie run, 2025/2026.

The 5’8″ 165 lbs. blue liner from Red Bank, NJ cycled decently through a couple of junior leagues before college.

He had his best season as a junior with 1 goal and 4 assists in 24 games.

The 25-year old has played 1 FPHL game to start.

5th year, former Boston College Eagles‘ 2-time captain, center Christopher Brown(10) signs a 1-year AHL contract for 2023/2024 to Rochester Americans after posting ECHL career highs 24 goals and 40 assists for 64 points with Jacksonville Icemen.

Originally a Buffalo Sabres‘ 6th round pick in the 2014 draft (#151 overall), he never signed and his 1st deal was with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins as a rookie, so it’s interesting he’s come back around with their affiliate.

He was mostly reassigned and then signed in Florida with good results to start and then a 2nd season split time between on loan to Hershey Bears.

We believe the bet is the 27-year old from Bloomfield Hills, MI and son of former NHL veteran Doug Brown is set to sparking the higher level.

He actually continues as captain down in Florida and cobbles together a 2nd best point total (59), so for 2024/2025,  he is easily re-signed to continue in upper state with the Amerks, when needed.

For his 6th season, 5th as team captain, he returns to the Icemen for 2025/2026 and already has 6 goals and 4 assists in 12 games.

Arizona State University Sun Devils‘ senior captain defenseman Ethan Szmagaj(3) signs a pro deal for his rookie season, 2025/2026 with Reading Royals after being picked up on a trade.

The 6′ 194 lbs. blue liner had his best scoring season as a sophomore with 10 assists and then in his junior frame had 3 goals and was a +6 performer.

From Canton, MI, the 24-year has 2 assists in 2 ECHL games to start his pro career.

He plays 8 games and gets himself traded to Orlando Solar Bears.

10th year defenseman Luke Witkowski(4) returns to Springfield Thunderbirds, where he played 16 regular season games, then 17 in the playoffs after a trade from Detroit Red Wings sent him to St. Louis Blues‘ system.

The sizable 6’2″ 209 lbs. blue liner doesn’t exactly score a lot of points in his 324 AHL games, but does have a nice +38 rating for accountability.

In 132 NHL games, the former Tampa Bay Lightning 6th round pick in the 2008 draft (#160 overall) has 2 goals and 11 assists.

He was a senior captain at Western Michigan University Broncos and 3-time lead guy for Syracuse Crunch.

The 32-year old from Holland, MI is likely smiling with each big contracts he still gets.

For 2023/2024, he has made the decision to try something completely new and heads to Finland to join Tappara and will play his games in Liiga.

Switzerland was good enough fun for the now 34-year old, but will elevate his game a little by signing in the SHL with Skelleftea AIK for 2024/2025.

He waits a minute after skating 25 regular season, then 11 in the playoffs to sign with rivals, Brynas IF for 2025/2026.

13th year center Carter Camper(11) is heading to a new league, Finland’s Liiga for 2023/2024 after 8 games in the Swiss NL and almost 3 SHL seasons with Leksands IF.

He will next skate for Tappara.

The 5’9″ 176 lbs. forward 3 times had 10+ goals and twice 30+ assists in Sweden’s top league.

He was mostly a more than point-per-game scorer through 4 years at Miami University (Ohio) Redhawks before signing as an undrafted, unrestricted free agent with Boston Bruins.

The Rocky River, OH native played 3 NHL games as a rookie and score a 1st goal.

He is a veteran of 558 AHL games.

At 35-years old, it’s hard to believe it’s been that long.

He scores nicely with 17 goals and 31 assists in 60 games with a +19 rating, then adds 7 points on his way to a 2024 Liiga Championship.

For 2024/2025, he eyes another opportunity in HockeyAllsvenskan, signing for 1-year with IK Oskarshamn.

After a solid season in tier 2 Sweden hockey, at 37-years old he has decided to retire with 558 AHL games, 3 NHL appearances with 1 goal and 137 in the SHL to his credit.

Augsburger Panther‘ left wing TJ Trevelyan(24) signs on for what must be a record for one player, 15th season with the club.

He has 8 seasons of 10+ goals and 8 of 10+ assists and 7 worth 20+ points.

The 5’9″ 172 lbs. forward did 5 years of the AHL, scoring pretty big after graduating St. Lawrence University Skating Saints.

From Mississauga, ON, the 41-year old doesn’t want to quit.