3rd year net minder Dryden McKay(45) had his ECHL team of last season implode, cease to exist in Newfoundland Growlers, but signs with Ontario Reign for 2024/2025.
The 6′ 181 lbs. goalie was completely outstanding through 4 years at Minnesota State University-Mankato Mavericks and won basically any award he could, including the 2022 Hobey Baker.
We think he still needs clearance to come back into his game, but feel it is right there waiting.
Undrafted defenseman Greg Moro(3) takes a pair of seasons under AHL contract with Stockton Heat, but spending the majority of his time, 44 ECHL games with affiliate Kansas City Mavericks to a new adventure overseas, signing with SaiPa of Liiga for 2022/2023.
The 6’4″ 205 lbs. blue liner did get a goal in each of his years up with the contract club and even connected with 6 assists in 13 games last frame to likely get him the look in Finland’s top league.
He spent a very productive and highly accountable four seasons at Clarkson University Golden Knights, leaving a +28 rating.
The 26-year old from Edmonton, AB will definitely need to continue to elevate his game in this tough hockey, but could easily blend in nicely as well.
He actually spends the better part of two seasons in Finland’s highest hockey before switching to Czech Extraliga late last season with HC Kometa Brno.
For 2024/2025, he spots probably the best decision for him moving forward and signs with Steinbach Black Wings Linz of IceHL.
Undrafted, graduate goaltender Brad Arvanitis(32) takes a hot finish with D3 Babson College Beavers to a 1st pro contract with the very playoff ready Rapid City Rush.
In his ECHL debut, he scored a 5-1 victory.
The 6’2″ 180 lbs. net minder posted an 11-4-2 record with a 2.52 GA and .918 SV% in his final frame.
He’s definitely had an interesting little journey, first tending cage for EHLP team, Walpole Express before moving up to an NAHL season for Coulee Region Chill before heading to 2 seasons of limited use with UMass Minutemen.
The 24-year old will probably be able to excel in the league if he looks to stick around.
He only started one game his rookie frame before being dealt to Tulsa Oilers, where he played in 2 before being released and picked up by Pensacola Ice Flyers, which he stitched together an admirable 9-6-2 mark with a 2.71 GAA and .919 SV% in 20 SPHL games.
For 2023/2024, he picks up a deal with Maine Mariners, who likely saw him play in college some.
He runs an impressive regular season record of 20-10-1, but in the playoffs was stellar with a 1.69 GAA and .939 SV% to earn himself another contract to return to Maine.
Swedish-born, rookie center Filip Engaras(16) was recently flipped in a trade from 1st contract club, Bakersfield Condors to out of conference team, Utica Comets for the remainder of 2023.
The 6’1″ 201 lbs. forward actually spent more time with affiliate Fort Wayne Komets, appearing in 23 ECHL games with good scoring clips and on ice accountability, but does look to be headed towards the AHL to start with his new squad.
Originally an Edmonton Oilers‘ 6th round pick in the 2020 draft (#169 overall), but only signed a minor league contract to start his pro career.
A graduate of 4 years at University Of New Hampshire Wildcats, he definitely was able to connect for points as a junior and senior.
After 53 games last season, scoring 6 goals and 6 assists with a +2 rating, he is signed for a 1-year contract extension to stay a Comets.
University Of North Dakota Fighting Hawks‘ Swedish-born senior goaltender Ludvig Persson(32) signs with Wheeling Nailers and we will see if he figures in any ECHL playoff action.
The 6′ 181 lbs. net minder transferred from 3 years at Miami University (Ohio) Redhawks, where it couldn’t have been too easy.
He actually played 11 pro games in HockeyEttan before committing to the NAHL for a season of junior hockey that was stellar with Lone Star Brahmas before hitting college.
It will be interesting to see where the 24-year old decides to go.
He plays no games and signs for 2024/2025 with Brynas IF of the SHL.
8th year net minder Matt O’Connor(29) gets a new, 3rd deal to stay with HK Nitra for 2022/2023.
In 32 games, the massive 6’6″ 205 lbs. goalie has a 2.35 GAA and .928 SV%.
He signed his 1st pro contract after an explosive junior year at Boston University Terriers, posting a 25-4-4 record in 35 NCAA Division 1 games with Ottawa Senators, but only stuck with them for 2 sessions.
The Toronto, ON native next signed with Nashville Predators, but struggled.
He was able to lift his performance in the next frame with Wheeling Nailers and would next jump and sign overseas with Rodovre Mighty Bulls, but still seemed to have troubles in Metal Ligaen.
The 3o-year old will likely stay put and continue to excel in Slovakia.
As is the case for a few players, who have been around for a little while, he signs on for 2023/2024 with SC Csikszereda of Erste Liga, so maybe their giving their international players some money.
He does very ok through 21 starts, but may yearns for the type of hockey he 1st came over for, so signs Ligue Magnus for 2024/2025 with Les Ducs d’Angers that should equal a strong signing for both parties.
RPI Engineers‘ graduate captain defenseman Kyle Hallbauer(26) signs a 1st pro contract with Adirondack Thunder after his team is eliminated from ECAC postseason action.
The 5’11” 190 lbs. blue liner put up a college best 11 assists and 13 points last season.
He twice had 20+ assists in the 2 different junior leagues he participated in before college.
In 4 games with his new team, he has a 1st ECHL goal in his 2nd game and is a +3 rating for the 26-year old from Howell, NJ to pin.
He finished up skating 17 games, scoring 1 goal and 2 assists with a +5 rating, then being steady through 4 playoff matchups with a +2.
For 2023/2024, he has decided to fly the coop and signs with Rodovre Mighty Bulls of Metal Ligaen, where he might have too much success.
He takes some ok numbers, but needs more accountability to a new contract with Rapaces de Gap of Ligue Magnus for 2024/2025.
Undrafted, big 6’4″ 215 lbs. left wing Kale Howarth(29) signs a 1-year AHL contract with Rockford Icehogs after spending the last three years at University Of Connecticut Huskies.
He wasn’t a huge scorer in college like he was in three seasons for Trail Smoke Eaters, where he got 66 goals and 80 assists in 148 BCHL games.
The Red Deer, AB native played all his youth hockey close to home.
Originally a Columbus Blue Jackets‘ 5th round pick in the 2017 draft (#148 overall), the 22-year old college graduate will look to play his way back onto another NHL club’s radar.
He scored 2 goals and 1 assist in 12 games in 2021/2022, but suffered a season ending injury to sideline his rookie campaign.
The forward will return for another run at it though, as he re-signs for 2022/2023.
And despite getting only a couple of assists in 31 games and 13 points reassigned to affiliate Indy Fuel, he is welcomed back on another 1-year minor league deal.
After 3 seasons with the same club, playing far too few games last season due to an injury, but is going to move on and signs with Milwaukee Admirals for 2024/2025.
Undrafted, 3rd year center Brent Beaudoin(12) not surprisingly jumps ship after 2 ECHL seasons with Worcester Railers to a great opportunity in Slovak Extraliga, signing to HK Poprad for 2023/2024.
The 5’11” 181 lbs. forward scored a career best 20 goals and 35 assists with a +5 rating in 71 games.
Where he is going will be tougher hockey for the Brown University Bears‘ senior, assistant captain.
From Londonderry, NH, the 27-year old played mostly tier 3 juniors to earn his way up.
After 7 games in Slovakia with only 1 assist, he has a change of heart and signs up with Dundee Stars to play in the EIHL for the remainder of the frame.
He takes some ok stats, 8 goals and 20 assists in 43 games, but decides to move on and signs with Anglet Hormadi Pays Basque of Ligue Magnus for 2024/2025, where we think he does very well.
RPI Engineers‘ graduate center Ryan Brushett(9) will definitely flirting with college career highs in all categories with 5 goals and 10 assists in 23 games, looking for 8 and 16 with 11 left.
The 6′ 185 lbs. forward has twice transferred, 1st appearing at University Of Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks for 2 frames, before heading to UMASS Lowell Riverhawks in 2 more successful sessions.
For juniors, he had 1 unsuccessful outing in the USHL before heading north closer to home to the BCHL, where in his final of 3 years had the most goals at 41 before heading to school.
The 25-year old from Verdun, QC plays super hard out there.
Finishing up, playing a college best 37 games, he signs a 1st pro contract for 2024/2025 with the not so distant from his house club, Trois-Rivieres Lions that should equal all kinds of good hockey things.
