The USNTDP under 18 team pulls into Agganis Arena, home of Boston University Terriers with a slew of NCAA Division 1 commits on their roster and they run up a 5-2 margin before it’s closed to to a regulation tie, until the kids tipped it their direction in OT on two goals by NHL draft prospect, Gabe Perrault(4), who almost ironically has committed to rivals Boston College Eagles for 2023.
13th year defenseman Matt Bartkowski(43) was released from his tryout by New York Rangers as the new season begun.
It took him a few weeks to find himself a new deal for 2022/2023, but he decides to sign with Rochester Americans.
The 6’1″ 194 lbs. blue liner will add to his 436 AHL game total and even if he misses a few games could roll 500 games played in the league.
He also has 236 NHL appearances to his credit.
The former 2-year Ohio State University Buckeyes was originally a Florida Panthers‘ 7th round pick in 2008 (#190 overall), but signed his 1st entry level deal with Boston Bruins, where he stuck in the system for 5 sessions, including his 1st pair of full frames in the big league.
At 34-years old, he has earned well, so must just still love playing the game and giving back at this point to the younger set playing minor league hockey.
Coachella Valley Firebirds‘ 7th year defenseman Eddie Wittchow(20) is with a 1st new team in 3 seasons after spending his first three minor league deals with Hershey Bears.
Originally a Florida Panthers‘ 6th round pick in 2011 (#154 overall), he was in their system for 2 years before being left unqualified after his best AHL season, scoring 5 goals and 10 assists with a +3 rating in 55 games.
The former University Of Wisconsin Badgers‘ senior captain was never the biggest scorer through college.
We do think the 29-year old from Burnsville, MN will bring some accountability to the new club’s blue line.
New Jersey Devils‘ 2nd round pick in the 2022 draft (#46 overall), small 5’9″ 161 lbs. defenseman Seamus Casey(26) is off to a fantastic start as a freshman at University Of Michigan Wolverines, scoring 3 goals and 2 assists in 4 games with a +3 rating.
He twice for the US National Under 17 and 18 teams had 20+ assists.
Junior hockey is really where the Miami, FL native’s scoring seem to take hold.
At just 18-years old, he will definitely be a very interesting college hockey watch.
Nashville Predators‘ 4th round pick in the 2018 draft (#111 overall), Czechia-based center Jachym Kodelik(29) signs a 2-year NHL entry level deal after completing his 4th year as senior captain at University Of Connecticut Huskies.
The massive 6’6″ 226 lbs. forward finished up last year with a college career best 12 goals and 21 assists for 33 points with a +6 rating that made it to the Hockey East Final before bowing out in overtime.
He skated 2 AHL games with affiliate Milwaukee Admirals on an ato at the end of last campaign, but didn’t connect.
We think the still super-kind of young to graduate college, 22-year old will be finding ways to score points for 2022/2023.
It’s easy to find that smile after scoring his 2nd goal of the evening for Northeastern University Huskies‘ captain Aidan McDonough(25) in their 5-0 drubbing of Hockey East opponent University Of Vermont Catamounts.
Buffalo Sabres‘ 6th year 6’7″ 218 lbs. center Tage Thompson(72) gets rewarded with a handsome 7-year $7M+ deal through 2029/2030 after scoring a career high by a mile 38 goals and 30 assists in 78 NHL games.
Originally a St. Louis Blues‘ 1st round pick in the 2016 draft (#26 overall), he was traded in the offseason after splitting his rookie season between the big league and AHL.
He twice scored 32 points as a member of the University Of Connecticut Huskies, where he played for two seasons before turning pro.
The 24-year old from of all places Glendale, AZ could easily be a 100-point player.
12th year defenseman David Warsofsky(55) switches up a decently good season for ERC Ingolstadt to signing with DEL rivals Augsburger Panther 2022/2023.
The veteran of 55 NHL and 476 AHL games, he wracked up a pretty amazing 195 assists through 11 seasons in the direct affiliate league.
Originally a St. Louis Blues‘ 4th round pick in 2008 (#95 overall), his signing rights were traded to Boston Bruins, where he agreed to a 3-year entry level deal upon leaving Boston University Terriers after 3 sessions and a 2009 NCAA Division 1 Championship.
The 32-year old from Marshfield, MA has to be happy about still playing some amazing hockey and earning a good living from doing so.
12th year center John Albert(14) stays with Toledo Walleye for a 2nd season after scoring an ECHL best 24 goals and 24 assists for 48 points last season.
The one-time Atlanta Thrashers‘ 5th round pick in the 2007 draft (#165 overall) has only played 9 games with original contract club, Winnipeg Jets, scoring his only NHL goal in the process.
He has played in 339 AHL games with 4 different teams.
The senior captain at Ohio State University Buckeyes has twice gone overseas, but only skated a full season once with Karpat of Liiga.
At 33-years old, 5’11” 179 lbs. Cleveland, OH native is home to play his pro hockey nowadays.
12th year right wing Matt Frattin(39) leaves 5 years in the KHL to sign a 1-year deal with HC Bolzano Foxes of IceHL.
In his 1st game, he had an assist.
The former Toronto Maple Leafs‘ forward has 135 NHL games, scoring 17 goals and 18 assists to his credit.
A 4 year University Of North Dakota Fighting Hawks‘ was a Hobey Baker Finalist as a senior, popping the score sheet for 36 goals and 24 assists.
The 34-year old from Edmonton, AB shows little signs of quit.
