Michigan Tech University Huskies‘ graduate defenseman Ryan O’Connell(24) signs a 1st pro deal in France3 with Toulouse Blagnac for 2023/2024.
The 6’2″ 178 lbs. blue liner was originally a Toronto Maple Leafts‘ 7th round pick in the 2017 draft (#203 overall) coming off his 2nd 27 assist campaign at St. Andrew’s College.
He did 1 year of BCHL juniors with Penticton Vees.
His best college season was likely as a senior for Ohio State University Buckeyes, when he had 10 assists and a +12 rating.
The 24-year old from Gloucester, ON is likely to do quite well where he is going as a rookie.
14th year left wing Shawn Weller(63) decided to take 2020/2021 off after returning from a successful 7 season career in Germany’s DEL2 with a handful of teams, including 4 for Bietighiem Steelers, scoring a mammoth 346 points (124 goals, 222 assists) in 298 games with a full on +50 rating and even managed to capture a 2018 Championship in his third campaign.
He returns to sign a 1-year deal with Kansas City Mavericks and has a goal and 3 assists in 12 ECHL games.
The former 3-year Clarkson University Golden Knights‘ forward was originally an Ottawa Senators‘ 3rd round pick in the 2004 draft (#77 overall) and spent a couple of seasons in their system with affiliate Binghamton Senators before being dished to Anaheim Ducks, but not being given a qualifying offer to stay.
From there, the solid 6’2″ 218 lbs. winger bounced around the minors from there and made it to the ECHL Kelly Cup Finals with Stockton Thunder before hitting the road for overseas.
At 35-years old, his scoring says things aren’t quite finished.
He’s been happy being back home with his Glens Falls, NY team, Adirondack Thunder and even popped for a nice 14 goals and 13 assists last season.
16 seasons is plenty enough playing time for the now 37-year old, who will return for 1 more frame and then call it a day.
Boston College Eagles‘ graduate defenseman Justin Wells(8) signs a 1st pro hockey deal, sort of close to home North Canton, OH with Iowa Heartlanders for 2022/2023.
Not exactly the biggest scorer, he did notch 2 goals and 7 assists in 31 NCAA Division 1 games with a +22 rating as a senior at Bowling Green University Falcons.
He also didn’t score big in 2 seasons of USHL juniors for Sioux Falls Stampede, but was always a plus player on ice.
The big 6’4″ 200 lbs., 24-year old will definitely give his new club’s blue line some added backbone.
He records 9 assists in 59 ECHL games last season with a -11 rating that needs to be cleaned up.
They see something in the big d-man they like and invite back to continue.
Norwich University Cadets‘ graduate right wing Noah Williams(12) decides to turn pro and signs a 1st SPHL contract with Evansville Thunderbolts for 2023/2024.
He posted his highest scoring totals as a senior captain with 7 goals and 9 assists in just 17 games.
The 6’1″ 185 lbs. forward played only 1 season of junior hockey up north, splitting his time between the AJHL and CCHL.
25-years old from Potsdam, NY, he will definitely have to prove he can score as a pro.
Union College Bobcats‘ senior center Matthew Allen(99) will head for a graduate season to Stonehill College Skyhawks for 2023/2024.
He skated only 11 games last season for 2 assists and twice had 2 goals and 5 assists in a college season.
The 6’2″ 185 lbs. forward is likely to find more room to score with his current college’s upcoming schedule.
From Smithfield, RI, the twice Boston Jr. Bruins 24-year old will likely feel right at home at his new school.
2nd year Maine Nordiques‘ left wing Kareem El-Bashir(16) is looking to blow the lid off NAHL scoring, commits to Army West Point Black Knights for 2024/2025.
The 5’10” 176 lbs. forward will do well playing Atlantic Hockey style.
From Reston, VA, the 19-year old is going to be an interesting college watch.
University Of Notre Dame Fighting Irish 2023/2024 commit, center Danny Nelson(13) should add something to Big Ten play.
He was recently drafted in the 2nd round by New York Islanders (#49 overall).
6’3″ 212 lbs. forward played an outstanding 85 games last season in the USHL and NTDP with a combined +34 rating.
The 18-year old from Maple Grove, MN is young, but seems ready to start.
5th year defenseman Myles McGurty(16) signs for 2023/2024 with Nottingham Panthers of the EIHL.
He had an ECHL best 22 assists and 24 points last season with 2nd year team Worcester Railers.
The 6’1″ 201 lbs. blue liner from Weehawken, NJ started playing junior hockey up north in the QMJHL for a few different teams before heading to Dalhousie University Tigers for 5 CIS/USports‘ sessions.
He signed his 1st deal out of school to play in Erste Liga for Fehervari Titanok, but last only 5 games (2 assists) before he returned to deals that would eventually settle with Rapid City Rush.
We definitely see the 29-year old has worked his way to do very well in this English hockey league.
Nashville Predators‘ 5th round pick in the 2017 draft (#154 overall) Czech Republic-born goaltender Tomas Vomacka(33) gets signed to a two-year entry level deal after completing his college studies at University Of Connecticut Huskies in three seasons.
He’s appeared in 71 NCAA Hockey East games posting a 2.87 GAA and .903 SV%.
The fairly large 6’3″ 190 lbs. net minder started most of his playing time back home but came over for a pair of campaigns, first in the NAHL with Corpus Christi Ice Rays, where he made his college commitment, then a run in the USHL for Lincoln Stars.
His contract kicks in immediately but considering the parent club doesn’t have an affiliate, it’s unsure where he’ll start his pro career.
He would mostly be reassigned to a pair of ECHL clubs for his contract period, but does not get a qualifying offer to stick.
The Trutnov native will head home to continue his pro career, maybe conservatively signing a 1-year deal with HC Dynamo Pardubice of Czechia2 for 2023/2024.
Boston Jr. Rangers‘ 1st year left wing Duncan Fleming(17) ascended after 2 EHLP seasons, scoring effectively and helping them win the 2022 title.
The 5’10” 170 lbs. forward would pull a repeat, as his 1 goal in 9 games through the playoffs would guide them to the 2023 EHL Championship.
He will take this trophy luck with him to a 2023/2024 commit at New England College Pilgrims.
We definitely look to the 21-year old from St. Paul, MN to be on the winning side of games.
