Undrafted third year defenseman Charlie Curti(3) somewhat returns home to Adirondack Thunder, where he had a breakthrough rookie campaign, scoring a career high 11 goals and 20 assists for 31 points in 56 ECHL games.
He had to go away as a sophomore skater, signing for 2020/2021 with Rapid City Rush, as his upper state NY club was forced to sit due to COVID restrictions.
The 6′ 191 lbs., 26-year old, former 4-year Yale University Bulldogs‘ blue liner returns to his first year club and could very well set more bests point totals.
Instead of heading back to upper state New York for a 2nd season, the 25-year old has rethought that decision and accepts a contract with Aalborg Pirates of Metal Ligaen.
This may just be the start of his hockey life overseas as he could do very well in Denmark’s top league.
He would return after scoring nicely overseas and sign a 1-year ECHL deal with Toledo Walleye, where he ran up 25 points in 39 games with a +20 rating before adding 8 assists in 12 playoff matchups.
For 2023/2024, he is heading to play with 2-time EIHL Champs Belfast Giants, where he just may help them raise a 3rd straight trophy.
He maybe didn’t capture a title, but did nicely with 2 goals and 17 assists in 39 games with a +11 rating to sign with rivals, Guilford Flames for 2024/2025.
14th year left wing, Justin Vaive(46) signs with Cincinnati Cyclones for a 9th ECHL season, 2024/2025.
He’s served as team captain 3 times.
The big 6’6″ 238 lbs. forward was originally an Anaheim Ducks‘ 4th round pick in the 2007 draft (#92 overall), but never signed.
He did however sign an NHL contract a few years later with New York Islanders, which had him spend his entire time with affiliate Bridgeport Sound Tigers.
From Buffalo, NY and son of former NHLer Rick Vaive, the 35-year old, who did 4 years at Miami University (Ohio) Redhawks may not score like he once did, but he will certainly bring himself back up to a + player.
7th year left wing Joseph LaBate(16) signed a 1-year AHL deal with Milwaukee Admirals for 2021/2022 and is off to a nice 2 goal in 4 game start.
The very big 6’5″ 217 lbs. forward played 4 years at University Of Wisconsin Badgers, averaging 20 points per season before signing his 2-year entry deal with draft club, Vancouver Canucks (round 4, 2011, #101 overall).
He stayed with them for three campaigns and did play 13 NHL games (no points) before becoming a group 6 free agent and signing the first of three minor league contracts with Belleville Senators.
It was his 2nd run with the club, when he put up his best numbers, just a couple seasons ago, a tying 10 goals and best 16 assists and 26 points with a +19 rating.
The 28-year old, Eagan, MN native has to be looking overseas for his next play and could likely do incredibly well with that big frame.
He comes away with 5 goals and 7 assists in 56 games last season and decides to stick around, signing for 2022/2023 with Chicago Wolves.
In 53 games, he walks with a new best 11 goals and 11 assists with a +3 rating and will take that fortune to a new KHL cal with Barys Astana for 2023/2024, as he enters his 9th pro season.
For his 10th year playing pro hockey, he returns from 8 goals and 10 assists in 49 games to sign pto with Cleveland Monsters to make the team for 2024/2025.
Merrimack College Warriors‘ graduate defenseman Colby Enns(55) already has 1 assist in 1 game with his new team.
The 6’2″ 205 lbs. 4-year Northern Michigan University Wildcats also did 1 year at University Of Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks after a single season each in the NAHL and USHL for junior hockey.
He left his 1st school after 1 game to skate for Lincoln Stars.
From Minot, ND, he played the local USHS-ND high school.
The 25-year old is in a good position as he continues to play.
5th year right wing Jeremy Bracco(97) is off to a hot start with his new club overseas, Krefeld Pinguine. scoring 6 goals and 11 assists in 15 DEL games.
He had 17 points (2-15) last season with KalPa in just 24 Liiga games.
The 5’11” 194 lbs. forward was originally a Toronto Maple Leafs‘ 2nd round pick in 2015 (#61 overall) and spent his 1st 3 pro years in their system, playing for affiliate Toronto Marlies. but somehow amassing 145 points in 169 AHL games isn’t good enough to score a qualifying offer.
He was signed to play with Carolina Hurricanes last season, but when he was to be sent to the minors, entertained and accepted a more lucrative offer and was released on unconditional waivers to Finland.
It seems likely that if the still young 24-year old, former 5-game Boston College Eagle (3 assists), who quickly left for a pair of very solid OHL campaigns before turning pro will get pick up by an NHL team for a one-way contract if he keeps scoring big.
He may not be making his way to the big league in North America quite yet, but does take it up another level overseas, joining Bary Nur-Sultan of the KHL after putting up a career 2nd best 40 assists in Germany’s top hockey.
We do think the Freeport, NY native and 2018 Calder Cup Champion will return.
He starts his 2nd year with the team after 14 goals and 26 assists last season, but records only 1 goal in 6 games and maybe they get nervous and deal him to HC Sochi.
We do believe he will do just fine.
In 33 games, he scores 8 goals and 7 assists that he will take with him to his new league, Slovak Extraliga, where he signs with HKM Zvolen for 2024/2025.
Mercyhurst University Lakers‘ graduate defenseman Owen Norton(26) signs with Maine Mariners as soon as his team is knocked out of Atlantic Hockey tournament play.
The 5’10” 181 lbs. blue liner has skated 4 ECHL games with no points, but is always fully involved in the action.
While not exactly the biggest point-getter, he did do well in his 2nd GOJHL frame and only BCHL campaign.
From Ancaster, ON, the 24-year looks to establish himself well once he gets some more game under his belt.
They seen something in there to develop and sign him to stay in a Mariners‘ uniform for 2023/2024.
He is actually released from his deal and signs fairly quickly with Norfolk Admirals, which should be a pretty good landing spot for him.
Finds little traction with this club, only scoring 2 assists in 14 games, so is waived and picked up by Newfoundland Growlers to give a kick at the wares.
He’d only record 1 assist in 12 games before the team disintegrated.
For 2024/2025, he signs with Wheeling Nailers, which should continue to help his game.
Idaho Steelheads‘ center Jack Becker(27) re-signs with the team after posting 12 goals and 21 assists in 49 ECHL games with a +14 rating as a rookie.
The 6’3″ 192 lbs. forward played 4 seasons at University Of Michigan Wolverines, reaching 10+ points in 3 of his years.
Originally a Boston Bruins‘ 7th round pick in the 2015 draft (#195 overall), he performed maybe a little better in 2 frames of USHL junior hockey for Sioux Falls Stampede.
From Dellwood, MN, the 26-year has found his gear and now is settling in.
In 33 games on loan to parent club, Texas Stars, he scores 5 goals and 2 assists and no points in 5 playoff games after virtual point-per-game numbers in the lower league.
He definitely will be back for 2024/2025 to earn more AHL time.
University Of Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks‘ sophomore center Cade Neilson(25) enters the transfer portal to skate for Michigan Tech Huskies for 2024/2025.
The 6′ 189 lbs forward took up scoring last season to the tune of 5 goals and 14 assists in 31 games with a +8 rating.
He did 3 NAHL frames for Aberdeen Wings, blowing up scoring in his final year.
The Lafayette, LA native won a MJAHL Championship his 1st year of juniors after playing most of his youth hockey in England.
He actually decides to return home and signs with Glasgow Clan of the EIHL for the new season.
After just 4 games overseas, he decides to return and signs with Utah Grizzlies for 2024/2025.
Union College Dutchmen senior defenseman Nathan Kelly(26) signs an amateur tryout contract with Norfolk Admirals upon completion of ECAC hockey.
In a college high 35 games, he scored his only goal and 7 assists for 8 points with a +1 rating.
The 6′ 185 lbs. South Delta, BC native skated 3 BCHL seasons of junior hockey.
In 2 ECHL games he doesn’t have any points, but is a nice +2 rating.
For his rookie season, he will don the Admirals‘ jersey to skate his rookie season, 2024/2025 with the team.
Plymouth State University Panthers‘ senior center Myles Abbate(7) does what everyone expected the 2-time MASCAC Player Of The Year to do, signs a 1st pro deal with decently close by Worcester Railers for 2023/2024.
In the 5’10” 170 lbs. forward’s final college frame he had a best 24 assists, missed his goals by 2 and points by 1 at 39 instead of 40, but had a massive combined +36 rating.
The 23-year old from Norwell, MA played no junior hockey, heading from Proctor Academy USHS-Prep straight to college.
He actually ended up skating with Evansville Thunderbolts for all of last season and scored 15 goals and 17 assists in 44 games with a +7 rating to gain a new deal with the team for 2024/2025.
