Category: Minor League Deal

Lindenwood University Lions‘ graduate defenseman Brenden Rons(5) hasn’t ever been exactly known for points and this season evened his 3 assist mark he set as a junior at Ferris State University Bulldogs.

The XL 6’5″ 220 lbs. blue liner did 3 years of mostly NAHL junior hockey, in his last season as captain for Topeka Pilots grabbing 17 assists.

From Farmington Hills, MI, the 25-year old will be an interesting watch to see what might develop next.

In 27 games, he gets 3 assists and takes that to a 1st pro contract with Rapid City Rush for his rookie season, 2024/2025.

He skates a total of 1 game with his new team and is traded to Worcester Railers for future considerations.

In 15 games, he grabs a 1st ECHL goal and 1 assist, then returns to Peoria Rivermen for the SPHL playoffs.

For 2025/2026, he re-signs to return, but we feel will easily be loaned back up.

Philadelphia Flyers undrafted free agent signing, center Jackson Cates(63) signed a two-year entry level contract after completing his third season at University Of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs, where he scored a college career high 11 goals and 16 assists for 27 points in 28 games with a +8 rating.

He was a freshman when the college team won their 2nd straight NCAA Championship in 2019.

The 6′ 190 lbs. forward played a pair of junior hockey seasons with the famed Waterloo Blackhawks and his 33 goals and 30 assists in year 2 got him voted USHL Forward Of The Year award.

He’s skated roughly 15 shifts for roughly 10 minutes of ice time a night, grabbing a first assist but is a -3 rating with 7 shots on net.

The 23-year old may be just getting started with his big league debut.

He would appear in 11 games, getting his first NHL goal and as a restricted free agent, finally gets his 1-year extension to continue to build.

A group 6 UFA upon exiting last season, he signs a pto with New York Islanders that we feel if doesn’t turn into a deal with the big club, will get him under terms with affiliate Bridgeport Islanders upon reporting to their camp.

He was actually never signed and then released after only 1 goal in 12 games to be offered the same look from Rockford IceHogs, where he scored 2 goals and 3 assists in 6 AHL games to earn a full contract for 2023/2024.

11 goals and 14 assists through 50 games with a -1 rating, gets him another look for 2024/2025 in an Icehogs‘ uni.

After a 64 game season, scoring decently, then contributing a little for the playoffs, he is retained on a new 1-year minor league deal to stay in Rockford.

Trois Rivieres Lions‘ rookie defenseman Kirby Proctor(3) was ready to go for a 2nd ECHL season, but he is traded on the cusp of the start of 2025/2026 to Wichita Thunder.

The 6’3″ 207 lbs. blue liner was a graduate at University Of Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks, who left with a college best 7 goals and 8 assists in a high 40 games.

From Lloydminster, AB, the 24-year old did 2 years of juniors before school.

Miami University (Ohi0) Redhawks‘ senior defenseman Conner Hutchinson(20) signs a 1st pro contract with Greenville Swamp Rabbits and he comes away with 3 assists in 11 ECHL games with a 0 rating.

The 5’11” 170 lbs. blue liner did 3 years at Sacred Heart University Pioneers before transferring.

His best college scoring year was as a sophomore with 3 goals and 17 assists in 34 games.

From Hicksville, NY, he did 2 BCHL frames before heading to University Of Vermont Catamounts.

That lasted 6 games before he signed with Tri-City Storm of the USHL and did very well.

The 24-year old is likely in line for a contract 2025/2026.

Adirondack Thunder step in to offer a 1-year deal.

RIT Engineers‘ graduate defenseman Nicholas Cafarelli(72) signed with Reading Royals to an at0 when tournament play finished up.

The 5’10” 185 lbs. blue liner did 4 years at University Of New Hampshire Wildcats, where he scored a college best as a junior with 6 goals and 5 assists in 28 games with a +2 rating.

From Middleton, MA, the 24-year old signs with Kalamazoo Wings on a pto.

University Of Denver Pioneers‘ graduate portal transfer, left wing Cameron Wright(16) comes in from 4 strong years at Bowling Green State University Falcons and pulls off a rare college hockey feat, scoring a hat trick in a recent blowout.

The 6’1″ 190 lbs. forward currently has 10 goals and 6 assists, which is basically in line how he’s scored the previous four campaigns.

He’s once had 20 goals and twice 16 assists.

The Richmond Hill, ON native rattled off big numbers in his 2nd and 3rd sessions with St. Michael’s Buzzers amassing 130 points in 136 OJHL games.

At 23-years old, he will definitely be an interesting undrafted watch heading into unrestricted free agency upon finishing up 2021/2022.

He would score a new college best 23 goals and 34 points last season with the team that won the 2022 NCAA Division 1 Championship.

For 2022/2023, he signs a 1st pro AHL deal he stays close by with Colorado Eagles and will likely blow up scoring as a rookie to potentially get someone’s attention.

Mostly just skating for Utah Grizzlies, he scored a mammoth 29 goals and 34 assists in 64 games, then added another 7 points in 6 playoff matchups.

For 2023/2024, he’s looking for more playing time up, so signs with Bakersfield Condors to help give them more scoring punch.

After 48 games, scoring a rookie team best 12 goals and 9 assists with a +9 rating, he is a no brainer to bring back to try to help this struggling Condors‘ team move further.

In 60 games, he scores 13 goals and 11 assists, but we believe he isn’t receiving the looks he wants, so ups and leaves for Liiga to sign with HPK for 2025/2026.

3rd year right wing Ryan Nolan(24) was loaned up last season to the ECHL and made it work to score a new contract for 2025/2026 with Atlanta Gladiators.

The 6’1″ 198 lbs. forward scored only 1 goal and 2 assists in 17 games last season with a 0 rating.

He left the SPHL as a point-per-game scorer.

From Winnetka, IL, the former Michigan State University Spartans‘ seniors and 3 years at Merrimack College Warriors should play well enough to stick at the higher level.

University Of Connecticut Huskies‘ graduate, 2-time captain center Hudson Schandor(22) scores a new college best 31 assists and 41 points last season.

The 5’9″ 174 lbs. forward is a combined +46 rating after 5 seasons of college hockey.

He played 3 years of BCHL before heading to school.

From North Vancouver, BC, the 24-year old signs a 1-year deal with Ontario Reign and should produce well in the AHL.

UMASS-Lowell Riverhawks‘ Swedish-born senior defenseman Isac Jonsson(32) takes with him 138 games played, 10 goals and 41 assists with a +6 rating to a 1st deal with Kansas City Mavericks after tournament play concluded, scoring 1 goal and 1 assist in 3 ECHL games with a +1 rating.

The 5’10” 183 lbs. blue liner did 1 USHL junior season after coming across from 6 SHL games and 3 Hockeyettan.

He will return on a 1-year deal with IK Oskarshamn of HockeyAllsvenskan for 2025/2026, as a rookie.