Union College Dutchmen graduate left wing Chaz Smedsrud(26) finishes up and signs an ato with Allen Americans that may get switched quickly.
The 6’2″ 195 lbs. gets a 1st ECHL goal and assist in his debut, a 6-3 losing effort, but somehow comes away with a +1 rating.
He scored a best (by a mile) in his final year at college with 14 goals, 8 assists and new high 22 points.
The Luverne, MN blew up scoring in his high school, then did the same in the AJHL for 2 seasons before coming back to life in the USHL for 1 frame before school.
At 25-years old, he is very much ready to get pro started.
Through 9 games, with 3 goals and 4 assists, he’s looking good for an invite to return for his rookie run in 2024/2025 in an Americans‘ sweater.
After just 3 games into his rookie frame with no points, Rapid City Rush are seeking his services and acquire him in a trade for future considerations.
Part of a new feature we would like to introduce is junior players, so far as of yet committed at a college and highlight some of these skaters as they grow through the ranks.
Long Beach Sharks‘ 1st year Czechian-born left wing Michael Stojka(18) is one to watch to move up from his new NA3HL status.
The 5’10” 170 lbs. forward, sometimes defenseman moves the puck really way and has the abilities to make offensive zone plays with good, swift moving, smart hands.
In 15 games, he has 2 goals and 10 assists with a +1 rating.
The 18-year old should play himself onto higher radar.
Undrafted rookie center Nick Campoli(19) signs a 1st pro contract with Iowa Heartlanders for 2022/2023 after graduating 4 years at Clarkson University Golden Knights.
He was a solid scorer in his 3rd and final season of OJHL, where he was more than a point-per-game player, but also achieved 20+ assists in each of the frames.
The 5’11” 190 lbs. forward wasn’t as lucky in Atlantic Hockey, getting a best 5 goals as a senior.
We think that the ECHL could be a different story for the 23-year old Toronto, ON native’s scoring fortune.
1 goal and 2 assists in 12 games to start him off and they want another look to return to the new Iowa team for 2023/2024.
Through 30 games, he scores a decent 9 goals and 4 assists, but decides he wants a little more, so splits for AlpsHL and signs with Sterzing/Vipiteno Broncos, 2024/2025.
Fayetteville Marksmen rookie defenseman Daniel Dimon(13) did 4 years at Elmira College Soaring Eagles, posting 10+ assists in 3 of his seasons there.
The small 5’8″ 160 lbs. blue liner did 2 NAHL campaigns before school.
From Elmira, NY, the 25-year old has appeared in his SPHL debut, a 3-2 overtime win.
New Hampshire Avalanche 2nd year right wing AJ Guzzardi(29) already has 1 goal and 7 assists in 10 EHL games this season, already eclipsing marks he set in his 1st frame.
The 5’9″ 172 lbs. forward played his way up from a 1st EHLP frame, where he did score a point-per-game pace.
From Berlin, CT, the 20-year old commits to Post University Eagles for 2025/2026.
Trine University Thunder‘ freshman defenseman Trayce Johnson(4) is set to make his NCAA D3 debut.
The 5’11” 194 lbs. blue liner had an NAHL junior best 6 goals and 16 assists last season in 55 games with a +21 rating for 2nd year team, Maryland Black Bears.
From Toledo, OH, the 21-year old is likely ready to get started.
Sacred Heart University Pioneers‘ graduate net minder Justin Robbins(31) takes 17 games played with a 2.95 GAA and .895 SV% and 6-91 record to a 1st pro contract with Tahoe Knight Monsters for his rookie frame, 2024/2025.
The 5’10” 161 lbs. goalie earlier played 28 games as a junior transfer from Arizona State University Sun Devils.
From Alpine, NJ, the 24-year old did 44 USHL games as part of Chicago Steel, his thus far high water mark.
UMass Minutemen senior center Joshua Nodler(20) will take on a 3rd school, heading to Bowling Green State University Falcons for 2023/2024.
The 5’11” 194 lbs. forward started his college career with 3 seasons at close by Michigan State University Spartans, where he scored his best 7 goals and 8 assists as a junior.
From Oak Park, MI, the Calgary Flames‘ 5th round pick in the 2019 draft (#150 overall) first played the Honeybaked system before ultimately doing 1 USHL season at Fargo Force.
The 22-year old will likely doing ok for his graduate year in the CCHA.
He plays a college tying best 36 games, scoring 5 goals and 10 assists and unsigned by the team that selected him.
An unrestricted free agent, he signs a nice 1-year deal with Toledo Walleye to get started as a rookie, 2024/2025.
Quinnipiac University Bobcats‘ senior center Joey Cipollone(12) helps his team win a 2023 NCAA Division 1 Championship and signs a 1-year AHL deal to join Bridgeport Islanders for 2023/2024.
The 5’11” 185 lbs. forward put together 19 goals and 19 assists 107 games at the ECAC college.
He originally committed to University Of Vermont Catamounts, but left half way through his 2nd year to return to his USHL junior team Tri City Storm.
The 23-year old from Purchase, NY looks to be in a good position to start his pro career.
7 goals and 15 assists in 63 ECHL games and he will re-sign with affiliate Worcester Railers for 2024/2025.
He is actually released, but quickly inks with Atlanta Gladiators and will suit up for them this season.
Undrafted center Kyle Betts(61) signs a 1st pro deal with Utah Grizzlies after 5 years at Cornell University Big Red, where he took advantage of the year of eligibility to put up new bests 6 goals and 12 assists in 32 NCAA Division 1 games with a +6 rating.
In his ECHL debut, he pots a 1st goal.
The Flesherton, ON native spent two years in the BCHL, scoring 20+ goals and assists for Powell River Kings.
At 6’1″ 181 lbs., the 24-year old is definitely well-suited to do well in this league.
And just like that, he gets loaned up to the parent club, Colorado Eagles.
He signs for 2022/2023, but after 2 games is called by Belleville Senators and stays for 40 AHL games, scoring 1 goal and 2 assists with a +1 rating before heading back to Maverick Center, where he hammers 6 assists in 5 games, then another 6 points (3-3) in 6 playoff match ups.
It’s a little surprising he signs for a 2nd season in Utah, but we think the same result will occur.
He maybe wakes up one morning with a bit of a surprise, as he’s traded for 2024/2025 to Florida Everblades, which should actually yield good results.
