CollegeHockeyPlayers

Wheeling Nailers‘ rookie defenseman Shane Kuzmeski(14) wasn’t exactly the biggest scorer through 4 years at Clarkson University.

He left school with a peak performance of one goal and 5 assists.

In 17 ECHL games, he a new goals scored in a season record with 2 and added 4 assists, which makes it look like turning pro was good for the blue liner to connect on the scoresheet.

He was able to put up a healthy amount of helpers through two years in the NAHL (18, 24) though, so maybe it’s an environment thing.

The Grayslake, IL native played limited games in 2021/2022 for Iowa Heartlanders, then had more luck with Utah Grizzlies, striking for 5 assists in 14 games last season.

For 2022/2023, he signs a new deal with Norfolk Admirals and may just be able to find some better footing.

He actually spends zero time where he signs and instead splits time with Indy Fuel, doing remarkably well before a trade sends him to Trois-Rivieres Lions for the remainder of the session.

Looks like he will lace up the skates for a 6th league team in 2023/2024, as he signs with Fort Wayne Komets, as place he likely hopes he can stick around for awhile.

And before he can even throw on the skates for a home game, he gets dealt to Florida Everblades, where he should be super happy.

He is doing pretty well with 1 goal and 4 assists with a +6 rating, but Wichita Thunder want him for their blue line and trade to get him.

And lookie there, in 3 games he has 2 assists and a +3 rating.

Through 35 games, he scores 1 goal and 7 assists with a +14 rating and is invited to return for the Thunder.

Toledo Walleye rookie left wing Ryan Cox(41) scored his 1st ECHL goal, the game winner for his new club.

The 5’11” 181 lbs. forward has a very impressive 5 goals and 4 assists in 5 games.

He comes in from 5 seasons at Niagara University Purple Eagles, where he left as a graduate student with a new college best 14 goal and 14 assists in 40 games.

The 24-year old from St. Albert, AB with 3 multi-point games already should be in line to get a new deal to stay fairly quickly.

On his ato he comes away with a tidy 5 goals and 6 assists in 12 games, but somehow doesn’t sign and moves on to a agree to terms with Orlando Solar Bears for 2023/2024.

After 35 games, recording 7 goals and 6 assists, he is traded to Reading Royals.

To complete an earlier trade, he goes to Kalamazoo Wings for 2024/2025.

Undrafted defenseman Chris Harpur(96) stuck at Niagara University for a year of eligibility and in his 5th year put up new college bests in assists (14) and points (17) before deciding to turn pro, signing for the remainder of the season with Orlando Solar Bears.

The massively solid 6’3″ 201 lbs. blue liner from Niagara-On-The-Lake, ON played all his junior hockey up north and had an outstanding final year with Cowichan Valley Capitals, putting up 7 goals and 32 assists in 54 BCHL games.

Well, the 25-year old is off to a good start, because he netted his 1st pro point, an assist in his ECHL debut.

He came away from his 1st stint with 2 helpers and a +1 rating to be offered a new contract for 2022/2023 to stay.

Playing a full tilt of 72 games, getting 2 goals and 9 assists for the d-man isn’t so bad, although he could clean up his -8 rating.

His efforts for the big d-man are seen and he’s offered to return to put on that Solar Bears‘ sweater once again for 2023/2024.

Loaned up to Syracuse Crunch, through 17 games he records 4 assists with a +2 rating and the big d-man is fitting right in, so is re-upped for a 2nd AHL season.

2nd year defenseman Owen Headrick(7) gets traded from Chicago Wolves to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

He had 1 assist in 5 games before being dealt.

The 6′ 194 lbs. blue liner really made a name for himself last season on reassignment to Idaho Steelheads, scoring 15 goals and 39 assists in 61 ECHL games with a +35 rating, then added another 19 points in 20 playoff matchups to be named Defenseman Of The Year.

He’s taken probably the oddest path to get to where he is and it’s almost odd his still only 26-years old.

The Garden River, ON native did 2 years and an NOJHL Championship before going to Lake Superior State University Lakers for almost a full 2 before deciding to sign with Erie Otters.

He did that striking fairly big in his 2nd frame for 33 assists and turned pro for 4 games with Wheeling Nailers.

His next decision is a bit of a thinker, but he had 4 really successful years at University Of Prince Edward Island Panthers before once again turning pro, but had elevated his game to the AHL.

We thinking he settles and gains footing in the league with his new club.

He almost fails to find any footing with 3 different clubs, so is looking elsewhere to sign with Nurnberg Ice Tigers and will play 2024/2025 in DEL.

Harvard University Crimson graduate left wing Wyllum Deveaux(4) always looks like he should be putting up points, when he’s on the ice, but somehow through 26 games, this season has recorded but 1 assist.

Last year, as a senior was a breakout season for the fairly big 6’2″ 205 lbs. forward, as he got 1 goal and 1 assist, his college best.

What’s the likely irony is the 22-year old, Sackville, NS native will turn pro and start scoring.

You watch.

For 2023/2024, he picks up his 1st deal and signs for 1-year ECHL with Maine Mariners, who must have seen him play at school.

You watch, goals and assists will come.

Just as predicted, his rookie totals were 13 goals and 11 assists in 46 games with a +6 rating, earning him another season in a Mariners‘ uniform.

The captain will return for a 3rd season in a Maine uniform, 2025/2026 after playing a new high 66 games, scoring bests 19 goals and 12 assists.