Tampa Bay Lightning swoop in to grab University Of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs‘ junior left wing Cole Koepke(45) to a 2-year entry level deal, starting immediately.
He was a 6th round pick in the 2018 draft (#183 overall).
The 6’1″ 195 lbs. forward put up very decent numbers through 3 years of college hockey with 16 goals as a sophomore and 15 last season, plus an overall +31 rating.
He seemed to struggle a bit in his first session for Sioux City Musketeers but found his footing in the 2nd frame as an assistant captain, grabbing a junior level high 28 goals and 11 assists for 39 points.
His college commitment would come after an explosive year at Hermantown, MN High, where he was a 2-point per game player.
It looks as though the 22-year old will report to affiliate Syracuse Crunch and should be able to prove his worth in the AHL.
He would play a 52-game slate in the minors, scoring 7 goals and 12 assists, then adding another 3 helpers in 5 playoff matchups, but would also get to appear in 17 games with the big club, recording a 1st NHL goal for himself.
For his efforts, he is rewarded with a 1-year, 2-way deal in 2023/2024.
He plays 73 games last season with 10 goals and 7 assists with a +1 rating, but is an unrestricted free agent and accepts a 1-year $1M deal with Winnipeg Jets and has 1 assist in 10 contests.
Quinnipiac University Bobcats‘ freshman right wing Noah Eyre(38) figured into only 5 games last season, so easily headed towards the transfer portal and currently plays for Holy Cross College Crusaders, as a sophomore.
The 5’11” 176 lbs. forward already has a 2 goals and 5 assists in 8 games with a +3 rating.
He had 2 similar BCHL frames with Powell River Kings before committing.
From Vienna, VA, the 21-year old is looking good at his new college home.
Express Hockey Club‘s 2nd year defenseman Jed Gilpatrick(25) commits to Misericordia University Cougars for 2025/2026.
The 6′ 179 lbs. scored 1 goal and 5 assists in 38 EHL games last season.
He was a graduate from the EHLP team, where he had 35 assists.
6th year left wing Kyle Criscuolo(42) gets a new crack at the NHL with Detroit Red Wings, his first since an unsuccessful 9 game stint after signing an entry level deal with Buffalo Sabres.
The 5’9″ 175 lbs. forward started his pro career on a 1-year minor league deal with Grand Rapids Griffins, where he put up 17 goals and 24 assists with a +15 rating to get on the major radar.
He has always managed to put up good numbers with affiliates and has point-per-game stats in the current AHL frame.
The 29-year old, former Harvard University Crimson two-time captain posted outstanding points in school and is likely very happy how his pro career is stretching out to include yet another recall.
He would re-sign for a 5th season in a Griffins‘ uniform, but a mid-year minor trade sends him to San Jose Sharks for a new look and start on things at now 30-years old.
After a decent enough showing in the minors, he scores a 1-game recall to the big league and what do you know, the now 31-year old grabs a 1st NHL goal.
For 2023/2024, the Southampton Township, NJ native comes home, signing a 1-year, 2-way deal with New Jersey Devils that will very likely see him mostly with affiliate Utica Comets, but could score some looks.
He walks away from last season with a career best assists, 26 and points, 42 and he signs for 2024/2025 with Charlotte Checkers and will likely just continue to score in the minors.
After another solid scoring season with 19 goals and 16 assists with a +6 rating, he is a free agent and decides to return to Utica Comets on a 1-year deal for 2025/2026.
Endicott College Gulls‘ freshman right wing Thomas Rockey(19) figured into only 10 games, so decides to find some better college hockey life and enters the transfer portal to skate with SUNY Cortland Red Dragons for his sophomore frame, 2025/2026.
The 6′ 179 lbs. forward did 2 successful junior seasons before college.
From Mullica Hill, NJ, the 22-year old should find more success with his new team.
UMASS Minutemen sophomore defenseman Francesco Dell’Elce(23) was picked up by Colorado Avalanche in the 3rd round of the 2025 draft (#77 overall) after putting up 7 goals and 17 assists in 40 games as a freshman with a +18 rating.
The 6’1″ 181 lbs. blue liner only did 1 BCHL year before college.
From Toronto, ON, the 20-year old seemed to play onto the team who selected him’s radar.
9th year net minder Zane McIntyre(30) signs for a 3rd straight season 2023/2024 in Minnesota Wild system after 34 AHL games with a 16-12-5 record, 2.87 GAA and .899 SV% last season.
He was in the cage for 37 the year before that with even better numbers.
Originally a Boston Bruins‘ 6th round pick in the 2010 draft (#165 overall), he left a year at University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks on the table before turning pro.
Although he hasn’t played an NHL game since his 2nd season, he’s always been under a contract to a big league club.
At 30-years old from Grand Forks, ND, he has to be smiling how things have worked out.
Dispatched almost exclusively to affiliate Iowa Wild, he struggles on a not so good team.
He is going to head back overseas, but looks for far more success, signing a 1-year deal with Straubing Tigers of DEL for 2024/2025.
In 28 games, he posts a good record, but decides at 33-years old to head closer to home for his next hockey and signs a 1st ECHL contract with Tahoe Knight Monsters for 2025/2026.
Notre Dame University Fighting Irish senior captain Nick Leivermann(4) was originally selected by Colorado Avalanche in the 7th round of the 2017 draft (#178 overall), but went unsigned upon completing his graduate frame with a 3rd 10+ assist season (21 as a senior).
He turns pro and signs a 1-year AHL deal with last year’s Calder Cup Champion, Hershey Bears for 2023/2024.
The 5’11” 185 lbs. blue liner from Eden Praire, MN did only 1 BCHL season with Penticton Vees before heading to school.
At 24-years old, he’s likely gunning to get going.
After a solid rookie frame, scoring 3 goals and 13 assists in 37 games with a +5 rating is an easy re-sign to stay a Bears for 2025/2026.
Railers Jr. Hockey Club 2nd year defenseman Tristan Boyer(7) has blown the lid of assist scoring with 34 in 42 EHL games this season.
For 2024/2025 he commits to Wentworth Institute Of Technology Leopards.
The 6’1″ 181 lbs. blue liner will definitely be a welcome part of the college teams CCC play.
After figuring into only 4 games, he enters the transfer portal and will skate with UMASS-Dartmouth Corsairs, as a sophomore in 2025/2026.
PAL Jr. Islanders‘ 1st year center Ryan McKenna(8) and 2nd season USPHL/NCDC forward commits to Connecticut College Camels for 2025/2026 after a junior best scoring 14 goals and 30 assists in 46 games, then added another 11 points in 8 for the playoffs.
The 5’11” 179 lbs. pivot from Garden City, NY is keeping things close by picking this school.
We look for the 21-year old to contribute in the NESCAC.
