Category: Minor League Deal

Pensacola Ice Flyers‘ rookie right wing Zach Walker(18) has a couple of goals and an assist in 21 SPHL contests.

The 6′ 200 lbs. forward was never much of a scorer during four seasons at Boston College.

He posted his highest totals as a freshman with 2 goals and 5 assists.

The still young 22-year old started with a couple of campaigns in the USNTDP.

It will be interesting to see if he plays himself up to another level or heads overseas for different gold.

He finished his first session, scoring 4 goals and 6 assists in 36 games, then went on to light it up for a goal and 3 assists with a +5 in 4 playoff contests, which easily put him back on the radar.

The Boise, ID native gets the call from his local team and signs a 1-year ECHL deal with Idaho Steelheads for 2021/2022.

He was originally going to sign with them for last season, but they decided to sit out the pandemic run and he becomes the first born in the state capital to play for the team.

After 10 goals and 13 assists in 63 games with a +6 rating, he’s definitely feeling right at home, and stays for a 2nd session.

He’s basically fairly steady in his 2nd session, getting 6 goals and 12 assists in 56 games with a +12 rating.

For 2023/2024, he leaves home and signs a 1-year deal with Adirondack Thunder that should makes sense for his scoring to continue.

He is limited to only 27 games last season and is involved in some incidents that get him suspended for long stretches, but the wear and tear on him is enough as he leans into what to do for 2024/2025 and will stay in a Thunder “jersey” joining their front office to handle the team’s community relations and also take part in some sales.

Hobart College Statesmen senior defenseman Kevin Lassman(55) has not been known to score a lot, but last season got 1 goal with 7 assists in only 24 games with a nice +18 rating.

From Parkland, FL, the 24-year came in from 2 USPHL/NCDC frames, where in 47 games in his 2nd year he had 15 assists.

The 5’8″ 165 lbs. blue liner, who won consecutive NCAA D3 Championships signs a 1st pro deal with Knoxville Ice Bears and will skate SPHL as a rookie 2024/2025.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.