Salem State University Vikings‘ Australian-born, graduate defenseman Dash Quartarolo(25) signs for his rookie season 2024/2025 with JHT Kalajoki of Suomi-sarja.
The big 6’5″ 229 lbs. blue liner didn’t play many college games, but went home 2 summers to play in the AIHL and would do ok.
He came over early for high school and skated 3 years junior hockey before heading to 2 years at Becker College Hawks, then the college went bust after COVID and he left for New England College Pilgrims.
We think the 24-year old does pretty well and maybe even plays himself up.
12th year defenseman Matt Donovan(46) will for a 3rd time take his game overseas, but this time signs for 2022/2023 with Adler Mannheim of DEL.
He twice played for SHL teams, Frölunda HC and HV71.
The former 2-year University Of Denver Pioneers‘ d-man was a New York Islanders‘ 4th round pick in the 2008 draft (#96 overall) and was in that system to start his pro career for 4 seasons.
At 6’1″ 205 lbs., he has skated 69 NHL games.
The 32-year old from of all places, Edmond, OK is likely happy to be still playing at a good level.
He actually does fairly well in German’s top league, scoring 8 goals and 15 assists with a +7 rating in 47 games, then added another 8 helpers in 12 playoff matchups.
For 2023/2024, he decides to come on and sign an AHL deal with Chicago Wolves, which makes a lot of sense.
He records 39 assists in 69 games and that will do it: 69 games in the big league, 524 in the lower league with 232 assists to his credit, 13 years of pro hockey and very quickly Nashville Predators sign him up to be an assistant coach with a team he spent 3 years with, affiliate Milwaukee Admirals.
Smart move.
New Jersey Bears‘ 1st year defenseman Tyler Boudreau(2) selects Wilkes University Colonels for his 2024/2025 commit.
The 6′ 194 lbs. blue liner from Edmonton, AB came to the EHL after a single season of NOJHL.
He came to school at Northwood USHS-Prep.
American International College Yellowjackets‘ senior defenseman Nico Somerville(2) signs a 1st pro contract to join Wichita Thunder as a rookie, 2024/2025.
The 5’9″ 185 lbs. blue liner played a college best 40 games, scoring new highs 4 goals, 5 assists with a +11 rating last season.
From Port Alberni, BC, the 25-year old did 4 BCHL junior seasons before school.
Boston Jr. Rangers‘ Czech-born, 1st full EHL season left wing Denis Valenta(23) scores a junior best 17 goals and 26 assists through 45 games, then gets another 3 goals in the playoffs and will take it to a 2024/2025 commit at St. Mary’s University Cardinals.
The 6’1″ 187 lbs. forward was a good scorer as a senior at Rice Memorial USHS Prep, then went to 1 USPHL Premier game for New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs, getting 2 assists and promoted to NCDC, but in 16 games wasn’t connecting.
From Prague, the 21-year old is likely to do really well for his new college team.
Curry College Colonels‘ senior defenseman, captain Nicholas Favaro(3) took his game up in his final frame to grab a college best 8 goals 25 assists in 29 games with a +28 rating.
He turns pro and signs a 1-year ECHL deal with Cincinnati Cyclones for 2023/2024.
The 5’11” 190 lbs. blue liner from Woodbridge, ON stayed close to play 4 OJHL junior seasons before heading to school.
At 25-years old, he’s likely ready for this next step.
12 games in with his new team, recording only 1 assist, another team wants him and Wichita Thunder have plans for him on their blue line.
He would only record another helper in 9 games with a -4, but they are seeing something and invite him back to wear a Thunder sweater for his rookie session, 2024/2025.
RPI Engineers‘ senior defenseman Mason Klee(7) will extend his college career for a graduate season at Ohio State University Buckeyes in 2023/2024.
He had a modest new college best 6 assists and 7 points last season, but it’s his 6’2″ 192 lbs. size that brings accountability into the zone.
2 years of USHL juniors did see him raise the 2019 Clark Cup Championship with Sioux Falls Stampede.
He takes 1 goal and 4 assists in a college best 38 games to a 1st ECHL contract with Worcester Railers and in 5 games has 1 assist and is a +1 rating to get himself loaned up to old “affiliate” pal San Jose Barracuda, where he has no points in 4 AHL games, as they fight for a playoff berth.
In 5 games in the upper league, he ultimately comes away with 1 goal and for 2024/2025, he re-signs for his rookie season with the Railers.
University Of Denver Pioneers‘ Swedish-born, senior goaltender Magnus Chrona(30) signs a 2-year entry level deal with San Jose Sharks after being picked up in a trade with draft team Tampa Bay Lightning, where he was selected in the 5th round of 2018 (#152 overall).
The absolutely massive 6’6″ 216 lbs. net minder has always done well at school, winning the 2022 NCAA Division 1 Championship in what was his best season as a junior with a 28-8-1 with a 2.11 GAA and .911 SV%.
He would likely be best to sign an ato with affiliate San Jose Barracuda, as they fight to make the last playoff spot.
In his rookie year, he plays the full gambit of pro hockey leagues from the ECHL, AHL and NHL, but definitely looks to be working out the some kinks for consistency.
A big offseason trade sends him to Nashville Predators to continue and he’ll likely get the nod in net for affiliate Milwaukee Admirals to start. .
University Of Massachusetts‘ senior defenseman Colin Felix(26) signs with Lehigh Valley Phantoms to start his pro career at the AHL level.
He would leave school a 3-time Hockey East Champ and 2021 NCAA Division 1 title too.
The 6’1″ 203 lbs. blue liner was a +27 player in college, so has good accountability.
He played a pair of junior seasons, first in the NAHL, then was drafted, ended up with Madison Capitals and somehow exploded for 8 goals and 19 assists in 56 USHL games.
The 23-year old from nearby Camden, NJ will likely find success in the league and will score another look in Philadelphia Flyers‘ camp.
Unfortunately he wasn’t even given a look at the higher level and reassigned to affiliate Reading Royals, where he spent all of last season scoring 8 goals and 19 assists, putting up a mammoth +29 rating, then adding another 2 points in 11 playoff matchups.
For 2023/2024 Utica Comets saw something they like and step in to sign him.
He is mostly dispatched to affiliate Adirondack Thunder and does well enough to grab a 2024/2025 look with a 1-year contract from Rockford IceHogs.
Long Island University Sharks‘ senior right wing Nolan Welsh(17) signs a 1st pro deal after wrapping up the team’s independent schedule.
The 6′ 185 lbs. forward inks with Savannah Ghost Pirates of the ECHL.
He wasn’t exactly the biggest scorer through 4 college years, getting a best 12 assists as a junior and six goals his senior frame.
The Burnaby, BC native played 4 BCHL junior seasons before school.
At 24-years old, he is likely ready for that next step.
For his rookie season, he signs with Reading Royals 2024/2025 and should score much like he did in juniors.
