12th year left wing Brandon DeFazio(26) retires after a successful 3rd DEL season, 1st for Schwenninger Wild Wings and will become an amateur scout in the organization he signed his 1st pro contract with after 4 years at Clarkson University Golden Knights, Pittsburgh Penguins.
He signed his 1st contract with affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, but would go on to sign NHL deals for the next 4 frames before inking with Texas Stars for his best AHL season, scoring 22 goals and 25 assists.
The 6’2″ 198 lbs. forward would transition over to a pair of KHL campaigns with Kunlun Red Star before heading 1st to Czechia Extraliga, but ultimately Germany.
An Oakville, ON native, the 34-year old will be perfect in his new role.
Providence Bruins‘ very large 6’5″ 211 lbs. defenseman J.D. Greenway(26) gets sent to affiliate Maine Mariners, a place he is somewhat familiar with from his time playing college hockey at University Of Maine Black Bears for two years after a transfer from University Of Wisconsin Badgers.
In 2 ECHL games, he has yet to notch a point, but that’s not exactly the strong suit for this player.
He only had very decent scoring in his transfer year, when signed with Dubuque Fighting Saints, scoring 9 goals and 24 assists in 58 USHL games and the year before arriving at his 1st school with USDP U.S. National U18 Team.
The 23-year old, original Toronto Maple Leafs‘ 3rd round pick in the 2016 draft (#72 overall), signed a 2-year AHL deal through 2022/2023.
Used on sparingly in 21 games last season, he jumps for another opportunity, agreeing to a contract in the lower league with Greenville Swamp Rabbits for 2023/2024, which will likely be a good move for this extra big skater.
University Of Vermont Catamounts‘ graduate defenseman Carter Long(2) is very stocky at 6’3″ 220 lbs. and definitely looks to take up additional room on the ice.
He’s not exactly a point scorer, grabbing 6 points last season and his high 7 (3 goals and 4 assists) as a senior.
The Vancouver, WA native signs a 1st deal with Savannah Ghost Pirates and in 6 ECHL starts he’s got a 1st goal and helper to go along with a +5 rating, so something is going very right.
For 2023/2024, he re-signs for his rookie year to stay in a Ghost Pirates‘ jersey.
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.
