Harvard University Crimson junior defenseman Jack Bar(24) may not eclipse modest highs set in earlier college seasons, but is relied upon to play a very in-your-face, move the skater from the front of the net style he is very good at.
A Dallas Stars‘ 5th round pick in the 2021 draft (#138 overall), the 6’2″ 194 lbs. blue liner was selected after his 1 junior frame with Chicago Steel, where he walked with the 2021 USHL Clark Cup Championship.
From Newmarket, ON, the 21-year old is looking good to sign an entry level deal after next session.
Harvard University Crimson freshman right wing Michael Callow(18) doesn’t have any points through 2 NCAA Division 1 games, but our bet is once he starts it will continue.
The big and rangy 6’4″ 181 lbs. forward is around the net a lot.
In 1 frame of USHL, he was a very decent scorer with Muskegon Lumberjacks and also hit the scoresheet quite decently through high school.
An Anaheim Ducks‘ 5th round pick in 2022 (#154 overall), from Boston, MA we think the 19-year old’s talents are going to spring to life.
University Of North Dakota Fighting Hawks‘ freshman right wing Jayden Perron(18) was a very smart grab for Carolina Hurricanes in the 2nd round of the 2023 draft (#94 overall), as what he may lack in size, way makes up for it in play making and scoring ability.
The 5’9″ 165 lbs. forward had an easy at USHL junior best in his 2nd run for Chicago Steel, potting 24 goals and 48 assists in 61 games.
At just 18-years old and 3 goals in his 1st 7 NCAA Division 1 games, it’s a wonder how long the Winnipeg, MB native stays in school.
Michigan State University Spartans‘ freshman goaltender Trey Augustine(1) is a Detroit Red Wings‘ 2nd round pick in the 2023 draft (#41 overall).
The 6’1″ 179 lbs. net minder had a stellar 29-1-2 in 33 games mark last season with the USNTDP 18U team.
His early college numbers show him to be struggling some, but this is a solid backstop, who easily could lead a national champion is how we see it.
From South Lyon, MI, he’s basically just staying home all around for his hockey, we see a pretty bright future for the 18-year old.
New York Rangers‘ 6th round pick in the 2016 draft (#174 overall) goaltender Tyler Wall(33) played his rookie campaign with affiliate Hartford Wolf Pack.
The very large 6’3″ 214 lbs. net minder had a tough first season on a club that struggled to cobble together wins and ended the session 3-4-1 in 10 AHL games with a disappointing 3.58 GAA and .865 SV%.
It easily wasn’t always as tough on the 23-year old.
In 31 GOJHL appearances, he had a 1.49 GAA and .940 SV%, posting a 27-2-1 mark in his only full frame for Leamington Flyers.
This was enough to get him noticed by UMass-Lowell Riverhawks to commit and graduated as assistant captain after 2019/2020 was cut short before playoffs.
His numbers as a senior, 18-8-6 with a 2.10 and .931 were similar to the ones he put up as a rookie to be selected.
It would be hard to imagine the Ontario native lost his pacing, and should rebound nicely, if the team out front of him is better and there’s fans in the stands to play for.
After a pretty impressive 35-game appearance with a 22-10-1 record, 2.58 GAA and .912 SV%, he skates of to the EIHL and signs for 2023/2024 with Cardiff Devils.
11th year defenseman Adam Clendening(44) signs a 1st minor league contract to continue as a potential prospect in a system, signing a 1-year AHL deal with the first team he ever skated pro hockey games for, Rockford Icehogs.
The 6′ 194 lbs. Chicago Blackhawks‘ 2nd round pick in the 2011 (#36 overall) has definitely played a good batch of NHL games with maybe little fanfare, earning 4 goals and 20 assists with a healthy +11 rating in 90 games.
He has a goal and 7 assists in 13 games this season.
The former Boston University Terriers‘ could definitely put up the points in college, as he was good for 29 assists as a sophomore before he turned pro.
It would be little surprise to see the 30-year old branch out and head overseas next season.
Before he goes anywhere, he finds himself involved in a minor league deal that sends him to Hartford Wolf Pack for the remainder of 2023.
He has 3 times hit 30 assists in the minors and we feel he will make a fourth this frame.
Rounding out last season with 29 assists, as we thought, he makes a bit of a late decision to join Ilves for 2023/2204, signing a 1-year deal to skate in Liiga.
10th year defenseman Aaron Ness(27) was in Boston Bruins‘ training camp, but signs for 2021/2022 with affiliate Providence Bruins to stay in the system.
It’s his 1st minor league deal.
The 5’10” 184 lbs. blue liner has played an outstanding 557 AHL games, scoring 45 goals and 222 assists with an overall +7 rating.
He’s appeared in 72 NHL games in 7 seasons with 3 different teams, scoring just a goal and 6 assists.
We do believe the 31-year old, former 3-year University Of Minnesota Golden Gophers will look to continue his hockey overseas next, just to be able to say he did it as a pro.
Looks like we guessed wrong, as he signs for 2022/2023 with the team he had a 50 assist campaign for a few years ago, Hershey Bears and the recently turned 32-year old should be able to help them find their playoff punch again.
He’s riding a good playoff run with the team after getting 5 goals and 14 assists in 69 games with a +14 rating during the regular season, but has yet to add anything in the playoffs.
No worries says this minor league club as they would like him to stay in Chocolatetown for at least another 2 more years.
For a 7th season, he will stay a Bears, 2024/2025.
Boston College Eagles‘ defenseman Drew Fortescue(5) had the 1st home goal for the team to start the 2023/2024 season in a 4-2 win.
Almost a little ironic considering he had no goals in 22 USHL games last season and only 1 in 62 games for the NTDP club.
A New York Rangers‘ 3rd round pick in the 2023 draft (#90 overall), he stands 6’2″ 176 lbs.
We think the 18-year old’s game will continue to grow and he’ll become a team leader.
Pittsburgh Penguins‘ 5th year defenseman Mark Friedman(52) re-ups for another two years after scoring a goal and 4 assists in 26 NHL games with a +1 rating.
The 5’10” 192 lbs. blue liner has appeared in big league games for the last 4 seasons, but seems to have arrived in the current session.
He scored 2 goals and an assist in 5 games, when he arrived via the waiver wire from Philadelphia Flyers.
The Bowling Green State University Falcons blue liner left a year on the table after scoring college career best 8 goals, 18 assist and 26 points.
It looks like the 26-year old is in a good spot with his new team.
He picks up 20+ games in the big league 2 years in a row, but gets himself traded in sort of a minor deal to Vancouver Canucks, where he could find a spot on d with the big club.
Montreal Canadiens‘ thus far unsigned draft pick, center Ty Smilanic(96) picked up in a trade with Florida Panthers has decided to switch up schools after a pair of years at Quinnipiac University Bobcats, he will head to University Of Wisconsin Badgers for his junior season.
He had a college career best 10 assists and 23 points last season.
The 6’1″ 174 lbs. forward twice skated USNTDP with solid enough results.
From Denver, CO, the 20-year old was a 3rd round pick in 2020 (#74 overall) and will likely do better scoring in the Big Ten.
Through only 14 games, he gets 1 goal and 1 assist.
He remains unsigned at the NHL level and as the new season is ready to roll, he signs with Trois-Rivieres Lions to possible stay close and potentially keep him a little on the radar.
