Jack Drury(13) basically had the best hockey experience he probably never even imagined, as his college team of two seasons, Harvard University Crimson had their playoff picture scrapped at the end of 2019/2020, then was going to shudder for 2020/2021 due to COVID complications.
The 6′ 175 lbs. forward took a few months to consider options and what came up was seemingly the best one to pursue, sign with Vaxjo Lakers to start his pro hockey career.
He played 41 games in 2020/2021 scoring 10 goals and 20 assists with a +10 rating, then struck for another 5 goals and 6 assists in 14 playoff appearances with a +5 en route to the 2021 SHL Championship.
The ball is now in Carolina Hurricanes‘ court, who picked him in the 2nd round of the 2018 draft (#42 overall), to sign him to an entry level deal to keep the 21-year old around.
Manitoba Moose towering 6’4″ 216 lbs. rookie defenseman Dylan Samberg(44) has three assists in 24 AHL games with a +3 rating.
He is a Winnipeg Jets‘ 2nd round pick in the 2017 draft (#43 overall) and was signed to a three year entry level deal after completing a third, playoff cut short season at University Of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs, where he helped them win a pair of consecutive NCAA Championships.
Committing to college after his 2nd year at hometown Hermantown High before becoming captain of the squad in his third session, then went onto play 6 USHL games for Waterloo Blackhawks before heading to school.
It’s possible for the 21-year old to earn a recall in the current frame but as the playoff push is very much on, it’s may be more likely he stays put and helps his current club with their postseason quest.
Florida Panthers‘ 1st round, just signed goaltender Spencer Knight(30) got the nod in between the pipes for his first NHL start vs. a slumping Columbus Blue Jackets‘ squad.
Well, he shut the door on a 5-1 win making 33 saves in 60:00 minutes of playing time, leaving with a 1.00 GAA and massive .973 SV%.
He was also given the game’s first star honors.
Nice start, literally.
Matt Hellickson(55) finishes up as assistant captain in his COVID stunned senior year at Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the New Jersey Devils‘ 7th round pick in the 2017 draft (#214 overall) signs an AHL contract for the remainder of 2021 with affiliate Binghamton Devils to get started.
The 6′ 183 lbs. defenseman recently played his first game, a 6-3 win, where he didn’t come away with a point but left the highest scoring contest a +2 skater.
He committed to the college of his choice in last year at high school, then joining the USNTDP program for 2 sessions before signing with Sioux City Musketeers, where his assist totals exploded for a 2nd time.
The 23-year old awaits an NHL contract but we got to think he’s fully on the radar to get one fairly soon.
New York Rangers‘ 3rd round pick in the 2019 draft (#63 overall), defenseman Zac Jones(6) signs his 3-year entry level contract after his college team UMass Minutemen for the past two years wins the NCAA Division 1 Frozen Finals in spectacular fashion.
The 5’10” 185 lbs. blue liner has put up some decent numbers since he was at school, leaving behind 61 games played, scoring 12 goals and 35 assists with a super good +29 rating.
He was selected by the Blueshirts after a breakout season for Tri-City Storm, where he picked up 7 goals and 45 assists in 52 USHL games with a mammoth +38.
The still young 21-year old should be heading straight to the big club to play games and the Virginia-born (?) player has a super future ahead of him.
Montreal Canadiens‘ 1st round pick in the 2019 draft (#15 overall), the small and speedy Cole Caufield(44) finally got in a first AHL game with affiliate Laval Rocket, a couple of weeks after signing his 3-year entry level contract post two huge scoring seasons at University Of Wisconsin.
As he was readying for his pro debut, he was given the news that indeed he won the 2021 Hobey Baker Award, as the best player in college hockey, something few people doubted he would receive.
The 5’7″ 165 lbs. forward got right to business in his initial appearance striking for his team’s first tally, later would come up with the game-winner and also grabbed an assist, leaving the game with a +1 rating in a 5-3 win.
It’s tough to say if the quick pivot with excellent hands will get the nod to skate with the big league club in this frame or simply continue to help guide the minor league squad for a potential championship.
There is little doubt though, the 20-year old Wisconsin native, who played 99 games scoring 159 points in his 2nd session with the USNTDP and U18, is just getting started.
Nashville Predators‘ sophomore defenseman Jeremy Davies(38) gets a first NHL point, an assist in his 9th appearance in the big league with a +3 rating.
Originally a New Jersey Devils‘ 7th round pick in the 2016 draft (#192 overall), the 5’11” 180 lbs. blue liner received the call-up after posting 9 assists in 9 AHL games with current affiliate Chicago Wolves.
He was involved in a summer 2019 trade that changed his address to the midwest.
His college commitment to Northeastern University Huskies was made after a 2nd successful year with Central Illinois Flying Aces of the USHL, where he amassed 36 helpers, so he looks to be good at this.
In his 2nd and 3rd years at college before leaving he had 29 and 28 assists, and even as a rookie with Milwaukee Admirals had 24.
No word on how long he’ll stick at this recall, but at the very least he’s making an argument to stay and for a new deal as he’s set to become an unrestricted free agent.
Russian-born, giant 6’4″ 215 lbs. defenseman Yan Kuznetsov(2) decides to leave a crazy 2nd year of only 16 NCAA games played with University Of Connecticut Huskies to sign his 3-year entry level contract with Calgary Flames.
He was chosen (2nd round in 2020, #50 overall) after a strong freshman campaign, where he tallied modest career highs of 2 goals and 9 assists in 34 appearances with a +5 rating.
The only just turned 19-year old did most of his youth hockey in the homeland but came over for a 2019 Clark Cup Champion season with Sioux Falls Stampede of the USHL before committing to college.
He will report immediately to affiliate Stockton Heat to get started.
Minnesota Wild‘s 1st round pick in the 2019 draft (#12 overall) Boston College‘s 2nd year left wing Matt Boldy(12) signs his 3-year entry level deal after finishing up another solid campaign for his school team.
The 6’2″ 194 lbs. forward scored a new best 11 goals and 20 assists in a third less games than he played as a rookie.
Before committing he would come off a pair of runs for the USNTDP club, where on different levels he played in a season total of 100 games twice.
The just 4 days shy of his 2oth birthday is a full-on impact player that will certainly be up with the big club sooner than later.
Boston College‘s Alex Newhook(18) leaves school after 1.5 seasons, including a heartbreaking ouster in the 2021 NCAA Division 1 Tournament after a COVID inflicted session, which included only 12 games but a solid 7 goals and 9 assists performance to easily cement Colorado Avalanche‘s desire to pull him in now on a 3-year entry level deal.
The former high-scoring BCHL Victoria Grizzlies‘ forward will report to affiliate Colorado Eagles to get the wheels in motion, though could be summoned for some time with the big club this season ,but if not, will put up a fight to make the team out of camp for 2021/2022.
