9th year defenseman Josiah Didier(44) was an unrestricted free agent after signing a 2-year AHL deal with 4 season team Providence Bruins, where he served as team captain in his last two.
For 2023/2024, he steps off on a new route and signs a 1-year deal with Grand Rapids Griffins to help them shore up their back end.
The rather big 6’3″ 223 lbs. blue liner played 4 years at University Of Denver Pioneers, leaving the program with a +20 rating before turning pro with the final frame of Hamilton Bulldogs‘ storied career in Burlington, ON.
The former Montreal Canadiens‘ 4th round pick in the 2011 draft (#97 overall) would start his pro career with 2 years skating for St. John’s Ice Caps before trading that in for 2 campaigns including a 2019 Calder Cup Championship with Charlotte Checkers, which definitely brought him some attention.
From Littleton, CO, the 30-year old has worked hard for every inch he’s earned.
In 61 games, he scores 4 goals and 4 assists with a +6 rating serving as the team captain and will return in a Griffins‘ jersey for 2024/2025.
He scores 2 goals and 6 assists in 58 games with a +10 rating, but is an unrestricted free agent, so signs with Laval Rocket for 2025/2026.
In 6 games, he already has 2 assists with a +2 rating.
Montreal Canadiens‘ 7th round pick in the 2018 draft (#190 overall), 2022 NCAA Division 1 University Of Denver Pioneers’ Champion center Brett Stapley(7) signs a 1-year AHL deal with affiliate Laval Rocket for 2022/2023.
The 5’10” 172 lbs. forward scored a college best 18 goals and tying 25 assists in 41 games with a +22 rating.
He was also a solid scorer in his 2nd and 3rd BCHL seasons with Vernon Vipers.
The 23-year old from Campbell River, BC may be an immediate impact player.
For his rookie season, he was shipped down to Trois-Rivieres Lions and has a tidy 9 goals and 36 assists in 49 ECHL games, playing a real energy role on the team.
He ends with 41 helpers, which gains the notice of Colorado Eagles, who sign him to bring him “home” to an AHL deal for 2023/2024.
For the entire season, he is sent to play for affiliate Utah Grizzlies and blows up scoring as a 2nd year league player with 24 goals and a monster 47 assists in 67 games.
He’s stretching and signs with HK Ducla Trencin of Slovak Extraliga to try his hand at a higher rung of hockey, just overseas.
In maybe a bit of a surprise decision, he decides to head to HockeyAllsvenskan and signs with Sodertalje SK for 2025/2026 after recording very close to point-per-game numbers last season.
After 13 games with 1 goal and 5 assists, he is wooed by Pelicans of Liiga to come skate maybe a little more aggressively.
University Of Vermont Catamounts‘ senior, Finnish-born captain, center Joel Maata(21) took a college best 9 goals and 18 assists in 37 games with a +5 rating to a 1st pro contract back home in Liiga with TPS.
He has become their assistant captain.
The 6’2″ 205 lbs. forward did 2 years of USHL before college.
In 19 games with his new team, he has 5 goals and 4 assists.
He was an Edmonton Oilers‘ 7th round pick in the 2022 draft (#222 overall), but was left unsigned.
USNTDP‘s 2nd year defenseman Charlie Tretheway(91) commits to Boston University Terriers for 2025/2026.
The 6’2″ 201 lbs. blue liner had just 2 goals and 7 assists in 24 USHL games with a +16 rating.
From Ellicott City, MD, the 18-year old found himself to be a Pittsburgh Penguins‘ 3rd round pick in the 2025 draft (#73 overall).
In 11 games, he has 1 assist with a -1 rating, but all that will improve.
Montreal Canadiens‘ 4th year goalie Cayden Primeau(30) gets re-upped for a nice 3-year NHL contract worth $890,000 AAV as a restricted free agent, possibly after a solid Calder Cup playoff run by affiliate Laval Rocket, where he posted a 9-5 record with a 2.17 GAA and .936 SV%.
The 6’3″ 203 lbs. net minder started a career high 12 games, but didn’t get the results he was looking for, by a mile.
A former 7th round pick in the 2017 draft (#199 overall), he did 2 stellar seasons at Northeastern University Huskies before turning pro.
Almost oddball, he did 1 season at tier 3 junior hockey EHL for Philadelphia Revolution before getting selected in the next frame.
The 23-year old, son of former bruiser Keith Primeau of 909 games played, 1541 penalty minutes, is likely looking to get the nod as starter, if he can earn it.
After 6 years in one system, the unrestricted free agent signs a 1-year deal with Carolina Hurricanes for 2025/2026.
Then he gets waived from training camp and scooped up by Toronto Maple Leafs, which is a bit of a thinker.
After 1 unsuccessful start, he is put on waivers again and Carolina Hurricanes step back in to claim him.
University Of Michigan Wolverines‘ freshman center Cole McKinney(11) already has 3 goals and 4 assists in 10 games this season.
The 6′ 201 lbs. forward was more than a point-per-game scorer through his 2nd USNTDP season and did the same coming up with the Chicago Mission program.
From Chicago, IL, the 18-year old found himself to be a San Jose Sharks‘ 2nd round pick in the 2025 NHL draft (#53 overall).
Anaheim Ducks‘ 4th round pick in the 2021 draft (#98 overall), center Josh Lopina(18) picked up his 3-year NHL entry level deal upon deciding to leave UMass Minutemen after a college career sophomore season, scoring 12 goals and 15 assists in 27 games with a +21 rating.
He had equally stellar numbers as a freshmen, when they went on to win the 2021 NCAA Division 1 National Championship.
The 6’2″ 194 lbs. forward twice put up 12 goals with Lincoln Stars in a pair of USHL sessions.
He managed to grab an assist in his AHL debut with affiliate San Diego Gulls and be credited with 2 shots on net and a +1 rating.
The 21-year old looks ready to step into his new lifestyle.
After 3 years in the same place, he moves on to sign with Savannah Ghost Pirates for 2025/2026.
He has 1 goal and 1 assist in 4 ECHL games, where we think he notches points really well.
University Of Massachusetts Minutemen sophomore, left wing Taylor Makar(6) is starting to pop scoring with 7 goals and 2 assists in 19 games.
The fairly sizable 6’4″ 209 lbs. forward was a Colorado Avalanche 7th round pick in the 2021 draft (#220 overall), which could very well put him on the same team as his Stanley Cup winning, NHL Best Defenseman brother, Cale Makar.
He has yet to prove he has the same depth, but did take his scoring up in his 3rd season with AJHL junior team, Brooks Bandits before getting selected.
The Calgary, AB native is big and looks to be starting to use his size to his advantage, which will definitely create room for him to score.
For his senior year, he decides to head off to Hockey East rival, University Of Maine Black Bears for 2024/2025 and he’s off to a huge start with 4 goals and 3 assists in 4 games.
There’s little doubt he will post some college hockey bests, but 18 goals and 12 assists in 38 games with a +24 rating and he is ready to sign and does on a 1-year NHL deal.
He reports to affiliate Colorado Eagles on an ato to get things started.
Starting the season in the AHL, he skates 10 games, scoring 1 goal and 3 assists with a +4 rating to score a 1st appearance in the big league.
He skates just 8 shifts for 6:07 ice time in a 3-2 overtime loss.
University Of North Dakota Fighting Hawks‘ graduate center Chris Jandric(7) signs for his 2nd pro season with ERC Ingolstadt 2025/2026 after a 40 assist season as a rookie with a +23 rating.
Then the 5’11” 180 lbs. forward scored another 13 points in 21 games to capture the 2025 ECHL Kelly Cup Championship.
He had a college best scoring 29 assists last year.
From Prince George, BC, we look for the 27-year old to continue to do well.
Boston University Terriers‘ freshman Jack Murtagh(19) is off to a nice start with 2 goals and 3 assists in 9 games to start his college career.
The 6’1″ 198 lbs. forward was basically a point-per-game player in his 2nd year at USNTDP.
From East Greenbush, NY, the 21-year old was selected by Philadelphia Flyers in the 2nd round of the 2025 draft (#40 overall).
