CollegeHockeyPlayers

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.

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.