Category: Minor League Deal

26Jul

Zach Vinnell (6)

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Undrafted defenseman Zach Vinnell(6) will take his game to Bowling Green University Falcons for his senior year, leaving behind 3 seasons and a college career junior season at Merrimack College Warriors, scoring 4 goals and 12 assists in 35 NCAA Division 1 games.

The 6’1″ 185 lbs. blue liner from Cochrane, AB played 3 years of junior hockey in the close by AJHL.

We think the 24-year old scored himself a nice invite to Edmonton Oilers‘ development camp and will likely see some mature ice time in the CCHA.

Although he only scored 1 goal with his new college team, he did manage a best 19 assists.

He will take his recent fortunes to a 1st pro deal with Indy Fuel to finish out the season.

In 16 games to debut his pro game, he scores 1 goal and 9 assists with a 0 rating, then added 1 assist in 2 playoff matchups.

He’s taking his game elsewhere for 2023/2024, as he signs on to strengthen the blue line for 1-year with Glasgow Clan of the EIHL.

After 15 games, 1 goal 4 assists, he seemingly leaves and signs with Sheffield Steelers, who seem very happy to have him in their lineup.

He would do pretty well with 1 goal and 4 assists through 15 games with a +12 rating.

Something isn’t gelling on ice though and the 26-year old decides to retire and as soon as 2024/2025 will take up ranks as an assistant coach with rivals, Coventry Blaze.

20Jul

Todd Burgess (48)

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Rookie center Todd Burgess(48) signs his first pro contract with Manitoba Moose for 2021/2022.

The big 6’2″ 195 lbs. power forward will likely step right into his game when he gets to the AHL.

He graduated from Minnesota State University (Mankato) Mavericks after doing 4 years at RPI Engineers, connecting for 27 goals and 35 assists in 127 NCAA Division 1 games.

That was nothing compared to what the 25-year old, Phoenix, AZ native did in his last season of juniors for Fairbanks Ice Dogs, wracking up 95 points (38-57) in 60 NAHL games with a +25 ratings, then added another 5 goals and 9 assists in 12 playoff contests.

This output got him on the radar of Ottawa Senators, who drafted him in the 4th round of 2016 (#103 overall) but failed to get him under contract.

We think this could just be the start.

He maybe rounded out last season with some games down with Newfoundland Growlers, where he was very close to being a point-per-game player, but did also nab 7 goals and 6 assists as a rookie.

The big man stays in the league, but moves to a divisional foe for 2022/2023, Milwaukee Admirals.

Mostly reassigned to play with the not so good ECHL affiliate Norfolk Admirals, he still busts out some numbers scoring.

He next looks at something a bit different to skate and signs in Slovak Extraliga with HK Spisska Nova Ves and ran up the scoresheet big with 19 goals and 18 assists in 45 games with a +13 rating.

Not sure why is not continuing, unless he eyes something better by heading to HockeyAllsvenskan for 2024/2025, agreeing to terms with Mora IK and we suspect he will do exceedingly well again.

19Jul

Joe Gatenby (4)

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2nd year defenseman Joe Gatenby(4) will somewhat oddly join his 4th ECHL team this season.

He started 2023/2024 skating 9 games for Fort Wayne Komets, but only 2 assists and a minus on-ice rating is traded Allen Americans.

The 6′ 190 lbs. blue liner stays with them for 23 games, but again scores no goals with 6 assists and a -6 and gets moved a 2nd time.

Newfoundland Growlers see something in his game they think will work for the Kelowna, BC native and sign him.

Unfortunately something happens with the team’s league standing and it disintegrates, leaving him to find another place to play yet again.

Idaho Steelheads step in fairly quickly and move him closer to home to play his next hockey.

He wouldn’t come away with any points in 3 regular season and 2 playoff games, but was a +2.

For 2024/2025, he looks to sign with Storhamar of EliteHockey Ligaen and should fit in nicely there.

18Jul

Cooper Zech (68)

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4th year defenseman Cooper Zech(68) gets a little bit of a new lease on hockey life with a trade that sends him from a very decent season with Lehigh Valley Phantoms, scoring a goal and 10 assists with a +3 rating and their parent club Philadelphia Flyers in an early season dish to Chicago Blackhawks, where he’s expected to report to Rockford Icehogs.

The 5’9″ 161 lbs. blue liner only spent 1 year at Ferris State University Bulldogs before turning pro on a 2-year entry level deal with Boston Bruins.

He put up a huge amount of assists in his one BCHL junior campaign for Wenatchee Wild, amassing 58 assists in 58 games.

The 23-year old from South Lyon, MI, who had a successful little swing on loan to Slovakia with HK Nitra during the pandemic, will likely always have to prove himself.

At the trade deadline, he finds himself moved as a pawn in the deal that sends Patrick Kane to New York Rangers.

He may was a bit under-utilized in suburban Chicago, but should get more efforts with Hartford Wolf Pack, if not reassigned further done for a bit.

Reassigned down to Indy Fuel, he played only 1 game with the team.

For 2023/2024, he returns for a full session, signing a 1-year deal with HC Kosice of Slovak Extraliga.

He does well here, scoring 3 goals and 15 assists in 32 games with a +13 rating in a very tough league, but has maybe been wooed to join the EIHL and signs with Nottingham Panthers for 2024/2025.

18Jul

Mathew Santos (16)

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Maine Mariners bring back last season’s leading scorer, 3rd year right wing Mathew Santos(16) after scoring a handy 26 goals and 33 assists with a +3 rating.

After 4 years in the OHL, the 6′ 183 lbs. forward played a single season for Toledo Walleye as a rookie, but then took a season off before departing for Ryerson University Rams, where he spent the next three years though only played his 1st two there and maybe got COVID knocked for his 3rd.

It will be zero surprise to see the 27-year old Etobicoke, ON native add to his ECHL totals.

For a 2nd straight season he blows the lid off scoring with 16 goals and 28 assists in 38 games, while getting loaned up to Milwaukee Admirals for 17 AHL games.

He will try to take his game up a notch, signing for 2023/2024 in Slovak Extraliga with HC Dukla Michalovce.

An amazing season, scoring 22 goals and 14 assists through 46 games, then adds another 8 points in 6 playoff matchups with a +7, but he oddly signs in DEL2 for 2024/2025 with Ravensburg Towerstars.

17Jul

Dryden McKay (45)

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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.

17Jul

Greg Moro (3)

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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.

16Jul

Filip Engaras (16)

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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.

16Jul

Ludvig Persson (32)

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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.

15Jul

Matt O’Connor (29)

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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.