USNTDP‘s 2nd year left wing Austin Baker(9) is big enough and scores decently to earn himself a Detroit Red Wings‘ 7th round pick in the 2024 draft (#203 overall) and will take his game to a 2024/2025 commit at Michigan State University Spartans.
8th year left wing Matt Wilkins(91) will try yet another league to add to the notches on his belt overseas, joining Slovak Extraliga, signing a 1-year deal with HC Banska Bystrica, which will definitely take it up a big notch for the former Union College 2014 NCAA Division 1 Champion, as a sophomore.
Last season, the 5’11” 190 lbs. forward won the Swiss tier 2 2023 SL Championship with HC La Chaux-da-Fonds, had most points in one session and most assists the previous the 2-year he played AlpsHL for Gherdeina and even raised the 2012 AJHL Championship as a junior with twice holding down most assists.
The 32-year old from Kimberley, BC, who started with 2 ECHL years for Reading Royals, putting up big numbers, has to be happy with the results of his game, despite maybe not reaching for the highest levels.
In 49 games, he blows up scoring with 19 goals and 33 assists, but decides to leave for Ligue Magnus, signing with Les Ducs D’Angers.
Michigan State University Spartans‘ senior right wing Jeremy Davidson(11) had a college best 12 goals and tied his sophomore point mark of 22 last season.
The 5’10” 177 lbs. forward signs with South Carolina Stingrays for his ECHL rookie season in 2024/2025.
He came up through the Honeybaked youth hockey system, then a pair of USHL seasons, scoring pretty well.
UMASS Minutemen was the 1st school he committed to, as a freshman, but maybe Hockey East didn’t work out the way he wanted and shifted college hockey closer to home in Kalamazoo, MI.
The 24-year old should do well.
Providence College‘s undrafted, sophomore net minder Jaxson Stauber(30) picked up his 10th win of the season in a recent game vs. Northeastern University Huskies, 4-2.
The 6’3″ 175 lbs. goalie has posted a 11-7-5 record for 2020/2021 with 4 shutouts.
He spent two years with Sioux Falls Stampede and won the 2019 Clark Cup MVP honors with a 1.46 GAA and .941 SV@ and 11-1-0 record, then committed to Minnesota State University-Mankato started one game, won it, wasn’t getting enough ice time and went back to junior hockey.
After a 3rd stellar year in the USHL, the Wayzata, MN-native committed to attend college east and away from home.
As a still young 21-year old he’s definitely getting the looks and it will be interesting where his choice of school leads him.
He was even more stingy in his junior season than he was the year prior and has decided to sign a 2-year entry level deal with Chicago Blackhawks, foregoing his senior frame.
This does make sense for the now 22-year old.
He goes 5-1 in 6 NHL starts, but plays the lion share with affiliate Rockford Icehogs, then doesn’t receive a qualifying offer to continue.
Utah Hockey Club steps in to offer him a 1-year, 2-way deal for 2024/2025.
Northeast Generals‘ 2nd year defenseman Owen Locke(2) will take his game with his brother Michael Locke to a 2024/2025 commit at Manhattanville University Valiants.
The 6′ 185 lbs. blue liner takes 2 NA3HL seasons recording 15 assists with a mighty combined +58 rating with him.
From Wakefield, MA, the 20-year old seems very ready.
USNTDP‘s 2nd year goaltender Nicholas Kempf(31) commits to University Of Notre Dame Fighting Irish for 2024/2025.
The 6’2″ 191 lbs. net minder didn’t exactly do too well through juniors.
We think mostly he was scouted during his youth time with Chicago Mission 13-15U and think come college he returns to that form.
Washington Capitals see something, as they select him in the 4th round of 2024 NHL draft (#114 overall).
Boston Jr. Terriers‘ Swedish-born center Jonathan Meijer(58) scores 5 goals and 6 assists in 45 EHL games after a USPHL Premier year for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights.
The 5’10” 176 lbs. forward commits to Post University Eagles for 2024/2025 and will hopefully help them increase scoring.
20-years old, he’s likely ready to get started in school and further hockey.
10th year right wing Ryan Carpenter(22) circles back to the 1st team he signed with on the opening day of unrestricted free agency and played 1st NHL games with, San Jose Sharks.
The 32-year old played the majority of his games last season in the AHL with Hartford Wolf Pack, while under contract to New York Rangers, putting together a career best 21 goals and 44 points.
For 5 seasons the twice captain of Bowling Green State University Falcons only played games in the big league, amassing 330 to date and 257 in the minors.
It will be interesting to see where the 6’1″ 198 lbs. forward settles next season, but an interesting fact, he is a +51 rating at the lower level, but -32 when up.
We do think he however contributes with the big club next season.
He was mostly up through 62 games, scoring 5 goals and 7 assists, but a bit of a terrible -16 on a not so great team.
For 2024/2025, he signs a 1st minor league contract since turning pro 11 years ago and will skate for a team he’s likely pretty familiar with, San Diego Gulls in 2024/2025.
Undrafted 4th year center Derian Plouffe(11) circles back after two years away with Indy Fuel to re-sign to Newfoundland Growlers for 2021/2022.
He was part of the championship team that claimed the 2019 Kelly Cup.
The former 4-year Niagara University Purple Eagles‘ junior captain originally signed an ato after graduation with Toronto Marlies, grabbing his first three AHL points, assists.
He would sign with them for his rookie season, but was reassigned down to the ECHL club for all but one game.
It’s almost a bit surprising that the 26-year old from Nepean, ON has explored hockey life overseas, but we’re betting he does.
He will return for a 3rd season in upper eastern Canada and we think could show the best totals of his 5 year career.
For 2023/2024, he decides to venture off to try something new, signing with Lillehammer of Norway.
He takes almost point-per-game numbers to a new deal with Herning Blue Fox of Metal Ligaen, where the 29-year old should continue to do exceedingly well.
10th season Netherlands/German-born center Nardo Nagtzaam(10) has played almost 9 years in Germany3, switching teams for a 5th time in 2024/2025 and will next skate for Fuchse Duisburg.
The 6’1″ 192 lbs. forward came over from youth hockey in Germany and spent 3 NAHL seasons, wrapping up with Alexandria Blizzard before committing to Mercyhurst University Lakers.
He scored best as a freshman, 11 goals and 19 assists, but was always an effective player. The 34-year old is probably still pretty happy
