10th year defenseman Jacob MacDonald(26) re-signs to return to Colorado Avalanche for 2024/2025 after just 1.5 seasons away.
The 6″ 205 lbs. blue liner made a 5 year climb from minor league contracts to where he is today.
From Portland, OR, the former Cornell University Big Red 31-year old is likely glad to be heading back to his team of 3.5 frames.
Boston Jr. Rangers‘ 2nd year right wing James Berg(20) commits to Nichols College Bison for 2024/2025.
The 6′ 180 lbs. forward scored an equal 21 points in both EHL seasons.
From Dallas, TX, the 21-year old should do very well
Columbus Blue Jackets‘ signed 3rd year Clarkson University center Josh Dunne(41) to his two-year entry level deal and was assigned to affiliate Cleveland Monsters scoring his 1st pro AHL goal in his 5 appearance.
The big 6’4″ 209 lbs. forward was an unrestricted free agent, leaving school after scoring 29 goals and 26 assists for 55 points with a +9 rating.
He spent three years with Green Bay Gamblers grabbing 74 points in 140 USHL games and close to point per game production in his final campaign before committing to school.
It may take him a little time in the minors, but if he can start more that frame around the net for scoring chances, look for him to get the nod to move up.
He’s working his game in the minors, but this last playoffs, he achieved something scoring he hadn’t yet: 7 goals and 4 assists in 14 games with a +7 rating has given Buffalo Sabres reason to offer him a 2-year, 2-way deal.
Air Force Academy Falcons‘ senior left wing Will Gavin(37) takes some very decent 10+ goals and 10+ assists through his 3 finals seasons and bests in his final frame to a 1-year AHL deal with Tuscon Roadrunners for his rookie year, 2024/2025.
The 5’10” 190 lbs. forward was also a big scorer through 2 junior USPHL NCDC runs, 2nd as captain with Northern Cyclones.
From Durham, CT, the 24-year old will do well as a pro is how we are seeing it.
9th year net minder Troy Grosenick(31) signs a 1-year, 2-way contract early in unrestricted free agency with Boston Bruins.
The 6’1″ 195 lbs. goalie has been under contract with 7 NHL teams, but oddly is only credited with 4 big league games, 2 with first club deal, San Jose Sharks and 2 last season under contract with Los Angeles Kings.
His numbers going back to a pair of years at junior hockey through 3 being ultra stingy at Union College Dutchmen and 258 AHL starts have been solidly good.
The crease where he’s heading is maybe a big crowded but he could potentially see another game in the show 2021/2022.
After limited use last frame in Philadelphia Flyers‘ system with Lehigh Valley Phantoms, he finds a really good one for himself moving forward, a 1-year deal with a team he’s familiar with Nashville Predators that looks to have him train the youngsters with affiliate Milwaukee Admirals in 2023/2024, only 4 years removed from the last time here.
Next, he heads to Minnesota Wild for a 1st time and is already said to report to affiliate Iowa Wild, where he will be a valuable help.
Big 6’3″ 183 lbs. defenseman Cameron Crotty(95) was an Arizona Coyotes‘ 3rd round pick in the 2017 draft (#82 overall), originally reassigned to start his pro career of Norway for Sparta Sarpsborg, scoring 3 assists in 7 Eliteserian games.
He returned at the beginning of the AHL season in February and has been skating games with affiliate Tuscon Roadrunners scoring, well, 3 assists in 25 games with a handy +5 rating.
What he may not score, he totally makes up for in the punishing accountability for opposing players.
After a disappointing suspension of the 2020 NCAA playoffs, the almost 22-year old would have headed into his senior year at Boston University but instead signed a three-year entry level deal to turn pro.
It may not take him too long in the minors to get a look from the big club.
He would take up his game, skating 2 seasons with the affiliate and this season has a very respectable 3 goals and 9 assists in 45 games with a +5 rating.
His play earns him an NHL look and he is recalled to play his debut, going 16 shifts for 10:03 ice time with 2 block shots, 4 hits and left the game with a -1 rating in a 4-2 loss.
At the end of his entry level deal, he is not retained and quickly signed by Minnesota Wild for 2024/2025.
Seahawks Hockey Club 2nd year right wing Mike Caparco(9) hit new junior EHL scoring highs last season with 13 goals and 12 assists in 44 games, then had 3 points in 4 games through the playoffs and takes that to a 2024/2025 commit at Rivier University Raiders.
From Cranston, RI, we look for the 21-year old to do well in the MASCAC.
Bentley University Falcons‘ 2022/2023 commit, huge 6’4″ 201 lbs. goaltender Josh Seeley(31) will definitely have some competition, but could prove to be a dark horse freshman, if given the opportunity.
He finished up 2021/2022 attempting to keep Minnesota Magicians decently afloat in the NAHL, but missing out on postseason.
Considering his size, and performance for Oakland Junior Grizzlies 18U AAA a few years back, he could easily catch fire with the right club.
There’s little doubt, the 21-year of from Trenton, MI will have plenty to play for.
His time at his 1st school did not equal much playing time, so he is off for his junior year at Skidmore College Thoroughbreds for 2024/2025.
Boston Jr. Rangers‘ Kazakhstan-born 2nd year left wing Tay Melis(10) takes 44 assists in 43 EHL games last season to a 2024/2025 commit at Albertus Magnus College Falcons for 2024/2025.
The 5’10” 170 lbs. forward actually did half of his 1st junior season in the lower EHLP for 17 games before being elevated.
He did his high school in the PA area and the 20-year old must be ready for his next step to college hockey and education.
Undrafted 8th year goaltender Casey DeSmith(1) gets a new 2-year deal to stick with the only team he has ever known, Pittsburgh Penguins, signing a new 2-year NHL deal.
The 6′ 181 lbs. net minder has consistently held his GAA to around 2 and SV% in the .900 range either up with the big club or tending for affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, so has some skill in the crease.
His actual 1st contract after graduating University Of New Hampshire Wildcats was with Wheeling Nailers and he played 13 ECHL games with very good numbers to get loaned up in the system, where he did outstanding in 6 AHL games to earn his entry level contract in the next frame.
The 31-year old from Rochester, NH has worked very hard, but also has had some very good luck riding on his shoulders.
For the 1st time in his pro career, he gets moved to a new team, Montreal Canadiens, who pick up his contract.
He barely suits up for his new club and gets a promo photo shot before he is moved to Vancouver Canucks, who may have more of a need for a new kind of #1.
It’s here where his game comes back together, as he gets 29 starts and does pretty well, but it’s his playoff look that really gets him some action.
Dallas Stars step in and offers the unrestricted free agent a 3-year deal.
