Category: Minor League Deal

University Of Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks‘ graduate left wing Jonny Sorenson(4) has 4 goals and 2 assists in 10 games so far this season, but still has a ways to go to equal his 10 goals and 18 assists he set as a senior.

The 6’1″ 185 lbs. plays a power forward style and transferred after 3 years at University Of Minnesota Golden Gophers.

He also did his only session of NAHL junior hockey with Fairbanks Ice Dogs, so is familiar where he was going.

From St. Louis Park, MN, the 24-year looks pretty comfortable with his college club.

He completes his 5th year at school as team captain and signs with Iowa Heartlanders, where he pocketed a 1st ECHL point, an assist in his debut.

Bentley University Falcons‘ graduate left wing Jonathan Bendorf(7) signs a 1st pro deal with Reading Royals of the ECHL.

He twice scored 20+ goals and 30+ assists in NAHL juniors for Aberdeen Wings and helped them to a 2019 Robertson Cup.

The 5’11” 187 lbs. forward was only twice decently prolific through college scoring 11 goals as a sophomore at 1st commit Mercyhurst University Lakers and had 14 assists in his junior frame.

 

7th year defenseman Dajon Mingo(6) was a waiver claim by Adirondack Thunder late last season from a team he was certainly decently familiar with spending the previous year and most of the current frame with, Cincinnati Cyclones.

The 5’8″ 174 lbs. blue liner would help his new team secure a spot to the Kelly Cup Playoffs, getting 1 goal and 2 assists in 6 games with a +2 rating.

He stayed only 8 games in his senior year at Bowling Green University Falcons before deciding to turn pro, signing with Toledo Walleye.

The 31-year old, Canton, MI native has 348 ECHL games to his credit with a +21 rating.

He waits a tiny bit to step back in, but eventually agrees to terms with Fort Wayne Komets, scoring a goal on his 1st night with the team.

Through 17 games, he isn’t scoring a ton, but is a steady +2, but Reading Royals want him heading into their playoff push and trade future considerations for him.

Long Island University Sharks‘ graduate left wing Remy Parker(27) has 5 goals and 2 assists in 7 games, which could put him on pace to eclipse marks set as a senior in his 2nd frame at Utica College Pioneers, 23 goals and 12 assists in D3 hockey.

The 6’3″ 184 lbs. forward was a more than point-per-game performer in his 2nd USPHL/NCDC frame with Jersey Hitmen before heading to his first school, University Of Maine Black Bears for 2 years, but only 3 appearances.

From Montclair, NJ, the 25-year old is keeping his game close to home.

He doesn’t come away with career bests, as he’s now skating a D1 schedule, but scores admirably with 13 goals in 36 games.

For his next step, he signs a 1st pro deal with Cincinnati Cyclones, but likely knows nothing will come easy.

Salve Regina University Seahawks‘ senior left wing Seth Benson(5) finishes up school and signs a 1st pro deal with Atlanta Gladiators.

The big 6’4″ 212 lbs. forward scored 11 goals a 2nd college season and could definitely pocket tallies in the ECHL.

A native of Moorhead, MN, he jumped around 2 years of juniors before committing.

The 25-year old is likely ready to see what he can do as a pro.

UMASS-Boston Beacons‘ graduate goaltender Sam Best(33) posted a 1-0 shutout against the #13 nationally ranked Norwich University Cadets in a major D3 upset for his 2nd blanking of the season.

Earlier in the year, they lost a 4-3 tilt in Northfield, VT to the team, so maybe this was them thinking we can beat this team and getting it done.

The 5’10” 161 lbs. net minder did 1 season at American International College Yellowjackets, but started no games and entered the transfer portal to come to his new school, where the 25-year old, Woburn, MA native has started 64 games with a winning record and 2.66 GAA and .904 SV%.

He finishes up what has been a stellar 4 years at school and signs a 1st pro deal with Macon Mayhem and should be tending his 1st SPHL imminently.

Alvernia University Golden Wolves‘ senior defenseman Logan vande Meerakker(15) scored a phenomenal 14 goals and 19 assists in 27 games with a +24 rating.

The 6′ big 214 lbs. forward transferred as a junior from 2 years at Norwich University Cadets.

He takes his size and D3 college experience to a 1st pro deal with Fayetteville Marksmen.

The 24-year old from Dieppe, NB did 3 years junior with Pictou County Crushers.

Boston College Eagles‘ 2nd year defenseman (transferred from St. Lawrence) Ben Finkelstein(28) is off to a hot start as a rookie with his new club, Greenville Swamp Rabbits.

In 18 ECHL games, he’s grabbed 4 goals from the point and 13 assists with a solid +4 rating on a team that has been somewhat of a discovery mode for this odd season.

The 5’9″ 181 lbs. blue liner could easily gain a look on loan to an AHL team.

Through 35 games as a rookie, he scored 11 goals and 21 assists with a +11 rating, and got signed up by Toronto Marlies, but played the entire 2021/2022 frame with Newfoundland Growlers, where he equaled his 11 goals, but exploded his assists to a league best 51.

His good play has given him a new AHL deal with Iowa Wild for 2022/2023, but we doubt he’ll be assigned lower for his sophomore effort.

After managing his way into only 6 games with his new team, recording 1 assist, he has decided to push off and join Vienna Capitals for the remainder of the season, and we think the d-man’s game will be well-suited for Austria’s top league, the IceHL.

He scores 10 goals and 14 assists in 23 games to earn a new deal with Eisbären Berlin and is heading to Germany to play in DEL.

After 15 assists in 37 games, the 26-year old decides to retire, based on personal reasons that we are sure will surface eventually, but it’s a sad day for the former Eagles.

Johnson & Wales University Wildcats 2nd year senior captain, center Brent Rickett(5) grabbed himself a 1st collegiate hat trick in a recent 6-4 non-conference win.

The 6′ 185 lbs. forward came over from playing few games at Norwich University Cadets.

He was a huge scorer his 2nd junior season, 1st with Boston Jr. Rangers for 30+ goals and assists in 45 EHL games.

From Portland, ME, he is a good leader with his college team.

Upon finishing up his college career, he signs a 1st pro contract with Ronoake Rail Yard Dawgs of the SPHL and will get started.

10th year defenseman Matt Tennyson(7) has appeared in NHL games now 9 of 10 years playing professional hockey, as he just gets his first summons from new 2-year contract club, Nashville Predators.

In his 2021/2022 debut, he skated 18 shifts for 12:50 of total ice time, with one assist, 2 penalty minutes, 2 hits, 1 giveaway and left a 5-2 win a +1 rating, which he followed up with a 2 assist appearance, giving him 3 helpers and a +2 since his return.

He has appeared in 168 games in the big league.

The 6’2″ 203 lbs. blue liner spent 3 years at Western Michigan University Broncos before signing his entry level deal with San Jose Sharks, where he stayed in the system for 4 campaigns.

He has also played 335 AHL games to his credit, and had a healthy 3 goals and 8 assists in 30 games prior to his recall.

The 31-year old probably has a little smile on his face that he still gets to do this.

For 2022/2023, he signs a minor league deal with Coachella Valley Firebirds, putting him pretty close to where he started his pro career in San Jose Sharks and close to home.

He will be an awesome leader here.

No doubt, he shines in his new role and scores a career high 18 assists, helping take his young squad all the way to the Calder Cup Finals.

He decides to wait a long while before making a new decision, where to turn next and at 33-years old he will test the waters overseas, signing with HC Lugano of NL for the remainder of the 2024.