Category: Minor League Deal

Washington Capitals 2nd round pick in the 2022 draft (#37 overall), 2 season USNTDP defenseman Ryan Chesley(13) is an incoming freshman at University Of Minnesota Golden Gophers and already has 2 assists in 4 games with a +3 rating.

The 6’2″ 205 lbs. skater was a decent scorer in the junior program following up good totals he posted at Shattuck St. Mary’s 14U & 16U AAA.

So, that he comes out hot in his college career is maybe not to surprising for the only 18-year old.

After his 3rd year at school, he decides to sign a 3-year NHL entry level deal and is sent to affiliate Hershey Bears on an ato to start his pro career.

In 4 games, he grabs a 1st AHL goal and 2 assists, but figures in no playoff matchups.

St. Anselm College Hawks‘ senior defenseman Mark Blaney(96) had a college best 17 assists and 19 points in 29 games with a +8 rating.

The 5’11” 170 lbs. blue liner signs a 1st pro contract with Port Huron Prowlers as his tournament play finishes up.

From Braintree, MA, the 24-year old did only 1 year of EHL juniors with New Hampshire Avalanche.

We believe he gets a contract for his rookie season, 2025/2026, if he wants one.

Holy Cross College Crusaders‘ senior right wing Matt Guerra(20) has a college career best 8 goals, ties his 16 assists set as a junior and has a new high 24 points in a season.

The Orlando, FL native came up to these parts early to attend Cushing Academy before heading to 2 40+ assists NAHL seasons with Lone Star Brahmas.

He did his freshman year at Robert Morris University Colonials, but left when they suspended hockey.

A 5’10” 181 lbs. forward, he is definitely helping lead his Atlantic Hockey college team.

Undrafted, he will do a year of eligibility, heads into the transfer portal to attend rivals Sacred Heart University Pioneers for 2024/2025.

In 39 games for his new college team, he pots 7 goals and 12 assists with a +8 rating, which turns into one of his more productive campaigns.

Upon finishing up tournament play, he signs a 1st pro deal with Wichita Thunder, where in 2 ECHL games he doesn’t record a point.

He will need a contract for 2025/2026.

New York Rangers signed undrafted, unrestricted free agent center Justin Richards(14) to a two-year entry level deal after he completed his third season at University Of Minnesota-Duluth, where he helped the team win consecutive NCAA Championships in 2018 and 2019.

He scored a career high 14 goals in 24 games in 2020/2021.

The 5’10” 188 lbs. forward was originally reassigned to affiliate Hartford Wolf Pack.

In his AHL debut, he introduced himself to his new club with a pair of assists and went on to grab 4 goals and 7 assists in 24 appearances with a +3 rating before his recall.

He was little different in his first game up posting a 1st NHL point, an assist after winning a face-off, through 18 shifts for 10:11 total ice time in a 5-4 win to close out the season with no playoff push.

For his rookie season, he would spent it entirely in the minors.

Left without a qualifying offer, he next signs with Cleveland Monsters on a minor league deal that gets boosted by agreeing to terms with parent club, Columbus Blue Jackets.

He appears in a pair of games and grabs a 2nd assist.

Next up, he would head to Rochester Americans for 2023/2024.

For 2024/2025, he’s made probably one of his best decisions, moving forward, signing a 1-year deal with Dusseldorfer EG of DEL.

He’s maybe a little light on the scoresheet through 44 games, but has a terrible minus rating that has him looking elsewhere for his next pro hockey and he signs Fehervar AV19 of IceHL, which is a great landing spot.

Niagara University Purple Eagles‘ Norwegian-born senior left wing Lars Rodne(10) signed with Adirondack Thunder, scoring 1 goal and 1 assist in 4 games, but is released as they have no playoffs.

The 6′ 181 lbs. forward gets signed to an ato with Wheeling Nailers to help their playoff push.

He did most of his youth hockey and some juniors back home, but came across for 2 NAHL sessions, scoring well.

We look for the 24-year old to do decently.

In 2 regular season games, he records 1 assist, but has no points in 2 playoff matchups.

For his rookie season 2025/2026, he actually returns to Stavenger Oilers, a team he played 19 games for before coming over for juniors.

American International College Yellowjackets‘ Swedish-born, senior defenseman Evan Stella(7) signed with Bloomington Bison for 4 ECHL games, no points to end 2024/2025.

For his official rookie season he decides to head to Czech Extraliga, inking with HC Olomouc for 2025/2026.

He did his youth hockey back home and started junior before transferring to the USHL for 2 frames with Dubuque Fighting Saints.

We think the 24-year old does well in this tough to play in league.

Long Island University Sharks‘ senior captain, defenseman John Gormley(92) signs a 1st pro contract with San Jose Barracuda, a 2-year, 2-way deal.

The big 6’4″ 225 blue liner played 7 AHL games with 1 assist, but was also reassigned to Wichita Thunder for 6 ECHL games, no points before being recalled.

From the Bronx, NY, the 24-year old did 2 NAHL junior years before college.

We look for his size to help him establish zone and do well.

LIU Sharks‘ graduate center, captain Billy Jerry(26) is definitely putting himself on NHL scouts’ radar with his play for his new club this season after transferring from 4-years at RPI Engineers.

The 6’4″ 190 lbs. forward has a college career high 11 goals and 14 assists with a +3 rating.

His numbers this season put all of his previous school years to shame.

He was a pretty prolific scorer at St. Thomas Academy and did ok in one year of USHL juniors with Madison Capitals before committing to further education.

The 24-year old is definitely playing hockey like he is one to watch.

In maybe a bit of a surprising move, the Rivers Falls, WI native signs his first pro deal with Adirondack Thunder, and in his 2nd ECHL game connects for a 1st goal, then adds an assist the next night, appearing in 6 games.

He got 4 goals and 2 assists in 15 games and will return to Glens Falls, NY for his rookie season in 2022/2023.

Well, he was traded to Florida Everblades, but doesn’t sign with them, instead opting for a deal with Fayettesville Marksmen, where he hopes his scoring fortunes in the SPHL will look pretty good.

He would actually mostly end up with Macon Mayhem and scored well for them, but eyes a new opportunity in Germany3, where he signs with EV Fussen for 2024/2025.

In 48 games, he blows up to 24 goals and 25 assists, but has a poor -24 rating and looks to rivals Hannover Indians for his next contract, 2025/2026, where he should do equally as well, if not better.

University Of Notre Dame Fighting Irish left wing senior, captain Justin Janicke(68) takes a college career best scoring 15 goals and 19 assists in 38 games last season to a 1st pro contract for 2025/2026 with Coachella Valley Firebirds, where he grabs a 1st AHL assist in his debut on an ato and only appearance.

He did 2 seasons of USNTDP juniors with good results before school.

The 6′ 187 lbs. forward is a Seattle Kracken 7th round pick in the 2021 draft (#195 overall).

From Maple Grove, MN, we expect the super-young college graduate, 21-year old to pick up the pace.

Canisius College Golden Griffins‘ graduate right wing Alec Cicero(23) takes some decent numbers to a 1st pro contract with Worcester Railers, where he recorded 1 assist in 4 ECHL games before getting ousted from the playoffs.

The 5’10” 181 lbs. forward skated 4 years at Holy Cross College Crusaders with his best totals of 11 goals as a senior and 14 assists in his junior campaign.

From Williamsville, NY, the 24-year old did his youth hockey, as captain in the Buffalo Jr. Sabres‘ system.