Montreal Canadiens sign UMass-Lowell Riverhawks‘ senior captain Lucas Candotta(28) to a 1-year entry level deal after posting a college career high 10 goals and 13 assists for 23 points in 33 NCAA Division 1 games.
The 6’2″ 209 lbs. forward reports to affiliate Laval Rocket and signs a pto to play out the remainder of the season.
He has consistently been a good scorer, putting up 82 points (35 goals, 47 assists) in his third and final year of OJHL junior hockey for Markham Royals.
In 7 games to finish out the session, he had one assist.
The Georgetown, ON native now has a 1st AHL goal as he connects in his 2nd playoff game.
At 24-years old, we look for him to do well with his short pro commitment.
After skating 72 games for the minor league club, grabbing 16 goals and 14 assists as a rookie, he scores a 1st recall.
In his debut, he scores a 1st NHL in his opening shift and shot, skates 13 shifts for 11:09 total ice with 5 snaps at the net and 3 hits before being returned for the Calder Cup playoffs.
St. Lawrence University Saints‘ senior captain center Jordan Steinmetz(29) will take on a graduate year at American International College Yellowjackets, switching him to Atlantic Hockey, which may have an effect on his scoring output.
The 5’8″ 163 lbs. forward actually posted his highest point college totals as a freshman.
He didn’t score amazing through juniors, but did connect big at Chippewa Falls High USHS-WI.
We expect the 24-year old to put himself directly into plays and increase his scoring chances.
Ohio State University Buckeyes‘ Swedish-born, graduate center Gustaf Westlund(29) will go home to sign with his country’s top league, SHL, joining IK Oskarshamn in 2023/2024.
The 2nd year captain only skated in 7 games last season with 2 goals and 3 assists, was pretty much decently a scorer.
At 6′ 185 lbs. came over soon, playing a senior year at The Gunnery before doing 2 USHL campaigns for Lincoln Stars, worth 27 assists in each frame.
The 25-year old, who was actually born in Paris, FR is likely going to be ready to roll.
After 4 years at Arizona State University Sun Devils scoring a college best 5 goals and 11 assists in 37 games with a +9 rating as a senior, defenseman Jack Judson(22) will take on a graduate season at Clarkson University Golden Knights.
The 6’1″ 190 lbs. blue liner could connect for more points in ECAC, but will have to work for it too.
From White Rock, BC, he was a pretty good point-getter in his 2nd BCHL frame, grabbing 6 goals and 26 assists, then adding another 13 points in 21 playoff matchups.
The 23-year old is obviously up for the next challenge.
Florida Everblades‘ rookie signing Chayse Primeau(34) has yet to register a point in 6 ECHL games, but definitely seems due considering his 6’3″ 194 lbs. frame, seems like he can’t be far off.
He did 4 years at University Of Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks before heading to University Of Notre Dame Fighting Irish for a graduate run and kind of crazy, put up exactly 23 points from his junior to graduate sessions (3).
The Margate, NJ native, son of NHL veteran Keith Primeau will definitely get his opportunity to shine.
Curry College Colonels‘ graduate goalie Reid Cooper(33) apparently gained notice from a bit of an unlikely source, as he will join Washington Capitals on an ato in a back-up mode for their last game of the regular season.
The 6’2″ 190 lbs. net minder posted a 20-6-1 record in 2022/2023 with a 1.92 GAA and .935 SV% in 27 D3 games with 3 shutouts to earn the division CCC Goaltender Of The Year for his outstanding work to win the conference and move on to the final 8.
With this nod, it will be interesting to see where the 25-year old from Corman Park, SK and former 3-year Robert Morris University Colonials will go.
Jacksonville Icemen signed rookie defenseman Julian Kislin(12) after he was released by South Carolina Stingrays after just an appearance.
The 6’1″ 190 lbs. blue liner did a graduate season at Sacred Heart University Pioneers after completing four solid sessions with Northeastern University Huskies.
He did roughly as good in one campaign of Atlantic Hockey as he did in his senior year in Boston.
The 23-year old from Manalapan, NJ has 4 assists in 5 games with a +3 for his new team.
Kansas City Mavericks‘ 5th year center Mathieu Foget(28) was traded from his most played club, Orlando Solar Bears, where he was once again scoring big and continues on that trek with 3 goals and 3 assists in 9 ECHL games, as they fight for a Kelly Cup playoff spot.
Last season he skated with SonderjyskE of Metal Ligean with the COVID blocked year previous, barely playing some games with HK Nitra of Slovak Extraliga.
The 5’9″ 175 lbs., former Merrimack College Warriors was there for only 1.5 years before leaving for a season an a half of OHL.
From Orleans, ON, he is a scorer in this league and will help any team he’s on win games.
Stonehill College Skyhawks‘ senior left wing Brendan Nehmer(10) signs a 1st pro contract to join EG Diez-Limburg Rockets for 2023/2024.
The 5’9″ 160 lbs. forward once again put up some good numbers despite playing a few less games than previous seasons.
From East Longmeadow, MA, he didn’t go the junior route before heading to college.
As a 23-year old, he will likely strike pretty well in Germany3 and hopefully look to move up.
Undrafted defenseman Matt Slick(4) takes 4 years, twice captain at Holy Cross College Crusaders and an outstanding performance as a senior scoring college highs 4 goals and 11 points to a year of eligibility and through the transfer portal arrives at Ferris State University Bulldogs, a perfect landing spot to start a graduate program and continue playing some unreal college hockey.
The 6’1″ 214 lbs. blue liner may have suffered a -10 rating last season, but is still one big, tough SOB to play against and will likely bring that level up and blend in well at CCHA play.
We look for the 23-year old to continue to excel and even gain some notice.
Skating away from his year in the midwest, as captain, he grabs 4 goals and 6 assists in 33 games en route to signing his 1st pro deal with Adirondack Thunder, where he has a 1st ECHL goal and an assist in 7 appearances with a +2 rating.
