Category: College Hockey Player

12Jul

Max Gildon (38)

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As a great many players last season, defenseman Max Gildon leaves a year at University Of New Hampshire to sign his 3-year entry level deal.

He was selected by Florida Panthers in the 3rd round of the 2017 draft (#66 overall) and had his best college scoring season last session, tallying new best 22 assists and 29 points before all of hockey was shut down by the COVID outbreak.

The fairly large 6’3″ 191 lbs. started his pro journey with Syracuse Crunch but was quickly moved to Bakersfield Condors for possible room considerations by a team with no affiliate in 2020/2021.

He has almost quietly put up some really nice numbers scoring a pair of goals and 10 assists in 24 AHL games with a phenom +16 rating.

The Plano, TX native committed to college after 2 campaigns with USNTDP, where he average 20 helpers.

At almost 22, he’s not likely waiting too long for his chance at the big game.

41 games on loan, he scores 2 goals and 10 assists with a 0 rating and will take his game to DEL, signing a 1-year deal with Adler Mannheim for 2023/2024.

He takes what appears to be a fairly steady frame in Germany, scoring 4 goals and 5 assists in 43 games with a +6 rating, but he wants more and signs in Tipos Extraliga with HC Kosice for 2024/2025, which will give him a look at his game on the next level.

12Jul

Kyle Gonzalez (47)

Posted in College Hockey Player, D3, Juniors | Leave a comment

New Hampshire Avalanche 1st year right wing Kyle Gonzalez(47) takes some decently impressive EHL stats, scoring 11 goals and 30 assists in 39 games, then adds another 7 points in 8 playoff matchups to the new D3 program at Keene State College Owls for 2024/2025.

The 5’11” 180 lbs. forward transferred in from 1 USPHL/NCDC season with Boston Advantage, where he played years of his youth hockey, but maybe wasn’t scoring enough, so moved to another league.

From Manhattan, NY, the 20-year old will likely do very well playing the independent schedule of his new school.

11Jul

Alex Turcotte (38)

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Los Angeles Kings‘ 1st round pick in the 2019 draft (#5 overall) rookie center Alex Turcotte(38) has been sort of quietly surviving his rookie season playing hockey in a pandemic with affiliate Ontario Reign, sort of quietly grabbing a couple of snipers and 10 assists in 20 AHL games on a non-playoff contending team.

Nothing like the pair of seasons in the USNTDP program that got him selected super early and saw him commit to University Of Wisconsin.

The 5’11” 185 lbs. forward only lasted one season in college hockey before deciding to sign his 3-year entry level deal and get started.

At still just 20 years old, the recent WJC U20 gold medal winner could benefit from more time in the minors but in a better session could perform on the scoresheet like he did and could get the recall from a team that’s also in need of some scoring punch.

After posting 3 goals and 7 assists in 18 games with a +10 rating, he scores himself an NHL recall and debut.

In his 1st game, he skates 20 shifts for 12:08 ice time with 3 shots, 1 take away, 1 shot block, 2 penalty minutes and was a -1 in a 6-3 loss.

Recalled for a 1st time after exploding scoring in the minors, he pots a 1st NHL goal in 14 tries over 3 seasons to finally get it done.

He is showing effective play at both levels and is rewarded with a 3-year deal through 2026/2027 to stay in a Kings‘ jersey.

 

11Jul

Davis Kinne (3)

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New York Applecore 1st year defenseman Davis Kinne(3) commits to Neumann University Knights for 2024/2025.

The 5’11” 185 lbs. blue liner brings with him an EHL junior best 11 goals and 39 assists (good for 5th in the league).

He had previously done a year of NA3HL with Northeast Generals, scoring very well for himself there.

From Swampscott, MA, the 20-year old is considered a good thinker and now scorer out there to help his college team.

10Jul

Mitch Gillam (30)

Posted in College Hockey Player, Europe, Juniors, Minor League Deal | Leave a comment

5th year goaltender Mitch Gillam(30) takes a good, much shortened season for Wichita Thunder, posting a 4-2 record with a 2.47 GAA and .927 SV% to a new deal with Indy Fuel for 2021/2022.

The 6′ 174 lbs., former 4-year Cornell University Big Red backstop put up real solid, good numbers at school (47-28-17) with a 2.15 GAA and .923 SV%.

He’s definitely made a career out of playing in the ECHL with 133 games to his credit, but almost oddly in his only AHL appearance with Bridgeport Sound Tigers left with a 1.54 GAA and .944 SV%, but has received no future looks from the top farm league.

If the 29-year old starts strong, he most definitely should earn another look from the level up, but we think he may set his sights on overseas options after this frame.

He will take what was a pretty good season with a 17-12-1 record to a new adventure, signing for 2022/2023 with Manglerud Star of Fjordkraft-ligaen.

After a bit of a rough go with his initial club, he would be traded to Valerenga, where things would improve dramatically, as he went 8-4 with a 2.08 GAA and .923 SV%, but has decided to push on and sign with Odense Bulldogs for 2023/2024 and skate in Metal Ligaen.

He’s not exactly doing so badly in Denmark, but he’s heading back to EliteHockey Ligaen, signing with his 3rd team, Frisk Asker.

In 6 games, he posts a 4-1 record with a 1.82 GAA and .932 SV%, then appears in 10 playoff games.

We are thinking maybe the job isn’t done here, so he signs on to where an ‘Asker jersey again in 2024/2025.

10Jul

Shane Kuzmeski (14)

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Wheeling Nailers‘ rookie defenseman Shane Kuzmeski(14) wasn’t exactly the biggest scorer through 4 years at Clarkson University.

He left school with a peak performance of one goal and 5 assists.

In 17 ECHL games, he a new goals scored in a season record with 2 and added 4 assists, which makes it look like turning pro was good for the blue liner to connect on the scoresheet.

He was able to put up a healthy amount of helpers through two years in the NAHL (18, 24) though, so maybe it’s an environment thing.

The Grayslake, IL native played limited games in 2021/2022 for Iowa Heartlanders, then had more luck with Utah Grizzlies, striking for 5 assists in 14 games last season.

For 2022/2023, he signs a new deal with Norfolk Admirals and may just be able to find some better footing.

He actually spends zero time where he signs and instead splits time with Indy Fuel, doing remarkably well before a trade sends him to Trois-Rivieres Lions for the remainder of the session.

Looks like he will lace up the skates for a 6th league team in 2023/2024, as he signs with Fort Wayne Komets, as place he likely hopes he can stick around for awhile.

And before he can even throw on the skates for a home game, he gets dealt to Florida Everblades, where he should be super happy.

He is doing pretty well with 1 goal and 4 assists with a +6 rating, but Wichita Thunder want him for their blue line and trade to get him.

And lookie there, in 3 games he has 2 assists and a +3 rating.

Through 35 games, he scores 1 goal and 7 assists with a +14 rating and is invited to return for the Thunder.