Category: Minor League Deal

13Sep

Ara Nazarian (22)

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4th year left wing Ara Nazarian(22) re-signs for a 3rd season with Jacksonville Icemen for 2022/2023.

The 5’9″ 185 lbs. forward is a pretty big scorer, last year hitting for 13 goals and 18 assists in 40 ECHL games with a +12 rating.

He was also loaned up to Rochester Americans, appearing in 14 AHL games for 2 goals and 1 assist.

The Boxford, MA native scored decently through 4 years at University Of New Hampshire Wildcats, striking best as a senior for 12 goals and 11 assists in 33 NCAA Division 1 games.

He was also a strong scorer at Malden Catholic USHS-Prep.

The 26-year old will very likely continue to take his game up.

He left for a year to join Belfast Giants and knocked scoring out of the park in the EIHL, but will return home under a deal to Syracuse Crunch for 2024/2025.

11Sep

Garrett Metcalf (39)

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Undrafted rookie net minder Garrett Metcalf(39) originally signed on with Knoxville Ice Bears to start his pro career in the SPHL, but within a week off that occurring his home town Utah Grizzlies had a better offer ready.

After graduating from his third school on record, Long Island University Sharks, he would go 4-4 in his first ECHL stint with a 2.33 GAA and .915 SV%.

These stats proved good enough for them to offer the 6’4″ 195 lbs., former Anaheim Ducks‘ 6th round pick in the 2015 draft (#179 overall), now unrestricted free agent a 1-year deal to return to the crease.

The 25-year old 1st commit to UMASS-Lowell Riverhawks for only 1 year of little usage before pushing off to Mercyhurst University Lakers for 2 for the Salt Lake City, NV native, who will definitely help his team win games.

After going 2-2-1 for his new club with an outstanding 1.84 GAA and .932 SV%, he gets the nod from Lehigh Valley Phantoms and in his AHL debut gets a 2-1 win in overtime with 25 saves, posting a 0.99 GAA and .962 SV%.

He will return to Maverik Center his home state again for 2022/2023, the team he’s spent most of his time with since graduating college.

It will be little surprise to see him compete for the starter’s job.

For 2023/2024, the parent club of the team he spent most of last session with Colorado Eagles sign him to a contract.

He would head back to Utah to start the current frame, but through 4 games it is determined he should have dual hip replacement surgery (we can’t even imagine), so that will wrap up a very short-lived career, but what he turns it into next will be something to watch.

Looks like he is heading back to LIU Sharks and will jump behind the bench as an assistant coach, starting 2024/2025.

10Sep

Cole Gallant (9)

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Western Michigan University Broncos‘ graduate right wing Cole Gallant(8) takes a college best 18 assists in 39 games to a 1st pro deal with Trois-Rivieres Lions.

In 7 ECHL games, he has 2 goals and 2 assists on a non-playoff team.

The 5’10” 190 lbs. forward scored lots of assists (37) in his 2nd season of USHL juniors for Omaha Lancers and twice popped 15 goals.

From Surrey, BC, the 25-year old appears ready to go.

For 2023/2024, he is actually moved in a trade that sees him heading to Utah Grizzlies, which should turn out just about perfectly for him is how we’re seeing it.

He scores 12 goals and 35 assists in 68 games, but needs to clean up that +/- and will get another chance with a 2nd season for the Grizzlies agreed upon for 2024/2025.

10Sep

Braeden Tuck (23)

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Sacred Heart University Pioneers‘ 3-time captain, graduate right wing Braeden Tuck(23) signs with Norfolk Admirals for his rookie frame, 2024/2025.

He scored best as a junior with 12 goals and 15 assists in 28 games.

The 6’1″ 170 lbs. forward played 3 seasons of BCHL junior hockey, all with Trail Smoke Eaters and scored very well in his final 2 sessions.

From Osoyoos, BC, we expect the 26-year old to connect in the ECHL.

09Sep

Sebastian Vidmar (8)

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5th year Swedish-born left wing Sebastian Vidmar(8) finds himself traded after 50 ECHL games for Savannah Ghost Pirates to a new start and hopeful playoff berth with Maine Mariners.

He has 1 assist in 3 games.

The 6’3″ 203 lbs. forward came over for 2 years of mostly NAHL, doing extraordinary in his 2nd Lone Star Brahmas‘ season, scoring a most goals (35), points (80), forward and most valuable player awards before heading off to 4 years of Union College Dutchmen.

He had an ok rookie season with Norfolk Admirals, but decided to head home and played one full frame for Vimmerby HC in HockeyEttan, but left there to come back here and joined Adirondack Thunder for 20+ goals and assists.

Already 30-years old, I think he needs to figure out where he wants to wrap things up for his hockey career.

He gets to Maine and starts scoring 8 points in 12 games to work himself in and signs to stay in a Mariners‘ jersey for 2024/2025.

09Sep

Marshall Rifai (83)

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Toronto Marlies‘ rookie defenseman Marshall Rifai(83) has an assist in his first 2 AHL games with a +2 rating.

He scored a college career best 5 goals and 8 assists as a senior last season for Harvard University Crimson in 35 NCAA Division 1  games with a +23 rating.

The 6’1″ 190 lbs. blue liner came here fairly quickly from Beaconsfield, QC to attend Hotschkiss School USHS-Prep, then did 1 USHL season before heading to school.

At 24-years old, he’s definitely ready to get started.

He scores 4 goals and 12 assists in 69 games last season with a +3 rating to earn a 2-year deal with parent club Toronto Maple Leafs to continue under their watchful eye.

Through 34 games, he has 2 goals and 9 assists with a +15 rating to earn himself a recall and a 1st NHL game.

He skates 19 shifts for 11:33 ice time with 1 shot on net, 1 hit and 1 block in a big 4-2 win.

Appearing in 57 games last season, he scores 2 goals and a new best 17 assists with a +14 rating, then pops in 3 goals and 1 assist in 3 playoff games.

It’s easy to see him get a new 2-year deal to stick with the Leafs.

06Sep

Spencer Asuchak (26)

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Despite only appearing in 6 ECHL games last season, center Spencer Asuchak(26) will wear an Allen Americans‘ sweater for an 11th straight season, in one form or another.

The most games he’s ever dressed for is a full 72 schedule in 2018/2019.

He has amassed 465 games in the league.

The very big 6’6″ 230 lbs. forward has a career best 27 goals and 40 assists.

From Kamloops, BC, after 4 WHL frames, he went to a year of Mount Royal University Cougars before officially turning pro.

the 31-year old probably has roots in the Texas town now.

He left for a brief stint over in Erste Liga, playing for SC Csikszereda, but somehow didn’t have much luck and will return for 10th season with the now hometown boys, Allen Americans.

06Sep

Harrison Rees (27)

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University Of Connecticut Huskies‘ graduate defenseman Harrison Rees(27) signs a 1st pro contract with Fort Wayne Komets and nets a 1st ECHL goal in his debut and has a +1 rating.

The 6’2″ 175 lbs. blue liner from Mississauga, ON wasn’t a huge scorer in college hockey, but was a reliable +23 player.

He took 2 successful OJHL campaigns with North York Rangers to his college commit.

The undrafted 24-year old was likely looking forward to the moment he could lace up a pair of pro game skates for awhile.

In 8 games, he scores 2 goals and 2 assists with a +2 rating to gain a 1 AHL game loan up to Hartford Wolf Pack.

He will return to the Komets for his official rookie season, 2024/2025.

05Sep

Trevor Mingoia (11)

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8th year right wing Trevor Mingoia(11) has bounced through a pair of leagues he’d previously skated, but arrives in a new place for the remainder of 2023/2024 with Valerenga of EliteHockey Ligaen.

Judging by some off ice going ons, he may have been wooed by a good deal, but looks a bit settled back at his 1st team overseas Vasteras IK HockeyAllsvenskan.

The 5’11” 185 lbs. forward played only 2 years ECHL and AHL before leaving.

From Fairport, NY, the 32-year old started at Union College, but left for Providence College Friars as a sophomore.

He may be settling in Sweden quite nicely.

After 6 seasons lighting up the scoreboard overseas, he has decided to return and sign with South Carolina Stingrays for 2024/2025.