CollegeHockeyPlayers

Cornell University Big Red senior captain, defenseman Sam Walinski(70) signs an pto with Colorado Eagles and in 2 games already has a 1st AHL goal and an assist with a +3 rating on a playoff bound club.

Undrafted, parent club Colorado Avalanche inked him to a 2-year NHL deal after he posted a college career best 8 goals, junior season tying 18 assists and new high 26 points with a +10 rating, which was a +20 in his junior session.

The 5’11” 190 lbs. blue liner put up some magical points in his 2nd NAHL junior frame with Bismarck Bobcats, striking for 14 goals and 31 assists in 59 games with another +20 rating.

From Lakeville, MN, the 24-year old gets lucky, but could just be the right unrestricted pick up.

He will remember November 13 going forward, as that is the date of his NHL debut.

In a 5-1 win, he skated 17 shifts for 12:02 worth of ice time, had 1 shot, 1 hit and was a +1, when it was all done.

Last season he appears in 76 games, scoring 5 goals and 10 assists with a +8 rating and earns another season as an unrestricted free agent, keeping him an Avalanche.

Providence Bruins‘ 2nd year AHL left wing Joey Abate(47) signs a 1-year 2-way deal with parent club Boston Bruins for the current season 2023/2024, maybe to give them a little insurance as they head to the postseason.

The 6’2″ 187 lbs. forward is tied at his rookie season 3 goal mark, but 9 assists is greatly improved.

He spent 3 years at University Of Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks before deciding to turn pro.

From Bloomingdale, IL, he spent 3 campaigns of junior hockey, probably most notably late for Youngstown Phantoms.

The 25-year old may be getting a good indicator of what’s in his future with the organization, as he was on a 2-year minor league deal through 2024/2025.

Last year, he scores a new best 8 goals and his consistent play earns him a 4th look in a Bruins‘ jersey for 2025/2026.

Undrafted 3rd year, former Boston University Terriers senior captain defenseman, Brandon Hickey(44) signs for 2021/2022 with Florida Everblades after spending the first three years of his pro career in the AHL.

The 6’2″ 200 lbs. blue liner signed a 2-year entry level deal with Buffalo Sabres upon completing college and spent two campaigns with affiliate Rochester Americans, but was left unqualified when it expired.

He agreed to terms with Chicago Wolves last season, although skated only 15 games in an almost completely blown 2020/2021.

The Leduc, AB native stayed close for all his youth hockey before joining Spruce Grove Saints, taking it up a notch in his 2nd frame with 4 goals and 19 assists, then another 5 helpers in 13 playoff contests on the way to the 2014 AJHL Championship.

He has great on-ice accountability with a +18 rating as a pro and +21 through college.

We think the 25-year old will continue find better success in the lower league.

He actually spent all of last season loaned up to Henderson Silver Knights, then Abbotsford Canucks, but will try to return to the sunny state for 2022/2023.

With the Everblades for 22 regular season matchups, good for 3 goals and 4 assists with a +9 rating, then added 3 assists in 22 playoff games on the way to a 2023 Kelly Cup Championship.

He was also back up in Nevada, getting 1 goal and 1 assist with a +3 rating through 17 games.

His efforts pay off and he gets a 1-year deal to play up.

For 2023/2024, he gets a new deal in a Silver Knights‘ sweater to continue.

In 35 games, he raises his point total slightly and is invited to work further and likely increase his load for another contract to stay in Henderson.

He still seems to be playing a bit of a reduced role with the team, but they seem to like having him around, so he is signed up for a 5th season in a Silver Knights‘ jersey.