Category: Minor League Deal

26Aug

Robbie Payne (23)

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3rd year center Robbie Payne(23) took 2020/2021 off due to COVID protocols, just like his team did, but he circles back to re-sign Adirondack Thunder for 2021/2022.

The 5’11” 194 lbs. former Northern Michigan University Wildcats‘ senior captain scored 24 goals that season to put him on Dallas Stars‘ radar.

For his rookie campaign, he would sign with affiliate Texas Stars and split time with their ECHL club Idaho Steelheads, where he was a point-per-game player.

The 28-year old last ignited the scoresheet in his 1st two years of juniors with Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings, running 119 points in 116 NAHL games.

It’s easily possible the Gaylord, MI native finds the route to the net on a more often basis.

He took another season off last year after 2 good sessions for Cleveland Monsters.

Next he will take his game to Erste Liga and signs with Ferencvarosi TC for 2024/2025.

24Aug

Kevin Lombardi (12)

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Sacred Heart University Pioneers‘ graduate right wing, assistant captain Kevin Lombardi(12) signed with Orlando Solar Bears upon finishing up and came mostly to life in 6 playoff games, with 1 goal and 1 assist and a +1 rating.

Rockford Icehogs are watching and sign the 6’5″ 229 lbs. forward to an AHL contract for 2024/2025.

Maybe not a huge scorer through college or junior hockey, we think as a pro the 25-year old finds the room he did in high school and youth hockey.

24Aug

Blake Thompson (8)

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5th year defenseman Blake Thompson(8) is taking his game overseas for 2022/2023, signing with Cardiff Devils.

The 6’1″ 205 lbs. blue liner is coming off a career year, scoring a new best 20 assists and 25 points.

He even scored a 1 AHL game loan up to Hartford Wolf Pack.

The former St. Norbert College Green Knights‘ d-man twice had close to 20 assists in a frame.

We think the 29-year old is going to find good room in the EIHL to continue to elevate his game.

He returns home from a pair of decent frames overseas and signs a 1-year ECHL deal with South Carolina Stingrays for 2024/2025.

22Aug

Jack Quinlivan (4)

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University Of Maine Black Bears‘ 5th year graduate student, right wing Jack Quinlivan(4) signs his 1st contract for 2022/2023 with close to home, Worcester Railers.

His home base is the town next door, Shrewsbury.

The 6′ 194 lbs. forward has struggled some scoring, grabbing only 6 assists as 2nd year captain last season, but we feel he could come alive as a pro in a different environment.

At 26-years old, he should step right in.

Through 10 ECHL games, he got 2 goals and 1 assist, but was sidelined with injuries and they discovered papillary thyroid cancers to exit him.

He will return for his next official rookie season 2023/2024.

In 32 games, he comes away with 6 goals and 6 assists, but he is completely injury plagued, so enough is enough, he decides to call it quits and will become an amazing coach, if he decides on that route for himself.

22Aug

Connor Murphy (1)

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Union College Bobcats‘ senior goaltender Connor Murphy(1) came over after 2 seasons at Northeastern University Huskies finished up 31 games and signs a first pro deal, an ato with Calgary Wranglers, which puts him with a top-rated AHL team to start things up with.

The 6’4″ 200 lbs. net minder has never exactly produced outstanding stats, but I think to just look at him and how centered he is to the frame makes him a natural to give a shot to.

He had one year of super-strong junior hockey performance in the CCHL with Carleton Place Canadians before committing to school.

The 24-year old from Hudson Falls, NY may just shine if given the chance.

He signs on to stay for his rookie season in Alberta with the minor league club.

In a split schedule with ECHL affiliate Rapid City Rush, he does decently enough with both for another look and is signed to wear a Wranglers‘ sweater for 2024/2025.

22Aug

Philippe Maillet (61)

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8th year center Philippe Maillet(61) returned last season to Laval Rocket under a 1-year NHL deal with Montreal Canadiens and scored quite well with a new AHL best 21 goals.

The 5’10” 185 lbs. forward is leaving again, this time he joins NL and signs with HC Ambri-Piotta for 2024/2025.

He came back from 2 very strong sessions in the KHL for Metallurg Magnitogorsk.

From Lachenaie, QC, the 31-year old played 4 years of QMJHL, then went to University Of New Brunswick Reds for another 4.

He will do really well in Switzerland.

22Aug

Jack Gorniak (20)

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University Of Wisconsin Badgers‘ graduate left wing Jack Gorniak(20) signs a 1st pro deal for 2023/2024 with Fort Wayne Komets.

The 5’11” 176 lbs. forward is like the complete Wisconsin story, played high school hockey at West Salem High, skated games for Team Wisconsin and only played 2 USHL games for Lincoln Stars as junior hockey.

Undrafted, the 23-year old will likely connect for a good amount of points in the ECHL is our bet.

9 goals and 16 assists takes his pro game up from college to earn himself another full season in a Komets‘ jersey.

21Aug

Jarod Hilderman (3)

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Four year and consecutive NCAA Champion defenseman with University Of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs‘ Jarod Hilderman(3) knew before the 2019/2020 season came to a crashing halt during the playoffs that he would be heading to Birmingham Bulls for 2020/2021 and spend his rookie season in the SPHL.

Well, a pandemic didn’t sideline those plans, as he reported and played basically a full slate of 36/42 game schedule, unable to grab a goal but he did produce 6 assists.

The 6’1″ 210 lbs. Calgary, AB native started his junior hockey closer to home with 2 seasons for Penticton Vees, where he won his first title, a 2015 BCHL Championship, which is when he committed to college, but then moved south to do a season with Fargo Force of the USHL before reporting to school.

At 24-years old and the leagues opening up to full service, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him elevate his game to the next level.https://www.sandiegogulls.com/players/detail/hilderman

He would spend his 2020/2021 under contract to Tulsa Oilers and ended a 48 ECHL game “rookie” season with a goal and 15 assists, then added 3 assists in 6 playoff matchups.

For 2022/2023, he will return, but we also feel may earn a 1st AHL loan to San Diego Gulls, who have him on their radar.

He puts up some decent enough numbers with a pair of visits up, but needs better on ice accountability.

Despite the parts of his game to work on he gets an invite to return for a 2nd chance in an Oilers‘ jersey.

He has a solid 3rd frame, scoring 35 assists to seemingly rebound hard and will take his game over to Ligue Magnus, signing with Les Bruleurs De Loups for 2024/2025.

 

21Aug

Griffin Loughran (13)

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Canisius College Golden Griffins‘ graduate center Griffin Loughran(13) finishes up at his 3rd school with a decent run of 6 goals and 9 assists in 21 games.

It’s nowhere near the 23 goals and 16 assists in 37 games set as a sophomore at Northern Michigan University Wildcats, but is within the range of regularly striking to connect.

The small 5’7″ 146 lbs. forward has 2 junior hockey frames, but really excelled in his 2nd term with Fargo Force, where he helped them win the 2018 USHL Clark Cup Championship.

From Orchard Park, NY, the 25-year also played his senior year at Michigan State University Spartans, signs a 1st pro deal with Savannah Ghost Pirates and pretty quickly has 2 assists in 5 Echl games with a +2 rating.

He signs with Worcester Railers for 2024/2025 and we think this is a good ECHL team for him to gain league footing.

21Aug

Zach Tyson (16)

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Hobart College Statesmen senior captain, center Zach Tyson(16) helped his team to the NCAA Division 3 Championship and will head to France2, signing a 1st pro deal with Mont Blanc for 2023/2024.

The 5’8″ 165 lbs. forward had a college high 11 goals last season with his 2 best frames coming as a freshman and junior, where he scored 27 points.

He played 3 sessions of juniors, winning the 2016 USPHL Premier and having his most productive run in his final campaign for South Shore Kings of the USPHL/NCDC.

We see the 25-year old from Dublin, OH playing his way up overseas.

After 18 games, worth 2 goals and 15 assists, he decides to return and signs with Huntsville Havoc of the SPHL for 2024/2025 and we expect him to see scoring success.