4th year center Jack Badini(21) is heading off to try something a bit different, signing with Stjernen Hockey of Fjordkraftligaen for 2023/2024.
The 6′ 203 lbs. forward should be able to connect well in Norway’s top league, as he did in his last ECHL frame for Newfoundland Growlers, while on loan from Toronto Marlies.
He signed 1 AHL deal, but as a former Anaheim Ducks‘ 3rd round pick in 2017 (#91 overall), he played 2-years in their system for San Diego Gulls after 4 years at Harvard University Crimson.
The 25-year old, Greenwich, CT native is likely to find better fortunes exploring hockey overseas for the while.
Undrafted rookie center Luke Lynch(28) skated just 4 games in last year’s COVID busted 2020/2021 for Wheeling Nailers, scoring no points, but gets his real opportunity with a contract to Jacksonville Icemen 2021/2022.
He was mostly a decent scorer for Robert Morris University Colonials, twice ascending to 20 assists, reached 17 goals as a sophomore and was named team captain as a senior.
The 5’11” 209 lbs. forward also potted point-per-game numbers as a 2nd year junior for Johnstown Tomahawks with a +17 rating.
As a Pittsburgh, PA native, he spent his last year of youth hockey in the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite 18U.
The 25-year old is likely very excited to get the new season going.
He would get 9 goals and 24 assists in 56 ECHL games with a +12 rating, then added 4 points in 8 games in the playoffs.
Kind of a no-brainer to keep him around if he wants to stay, and he signs for 2022/2023.
After a very impressive 2nd session in Florida, he is headed off to sign a 1-year deal with Glasgow Clan and will play games in the EIHL for 2023/2024.
SUNY-Brockport Golden Eagles‘ graduate defenseman Alexander Monteleone(6) signs a 1st pro deal in Polska Hokej Liga with STS Sanok for his rookie year, 2023/2024.
The 6’2″ 205 lbs. blue liner played 4 years at Norwich University Cadets initially after 2 CCHL sessions for Cornwall Colts.
He leaves D3 college hockey scoring a best 3 goals and 7 assists with a +14 rating through 22 games.
The 26-year old from Montreal, QC should do well in Poland’s top hockey.
San Diego Gulls signed former four year Providence College undrafted, senior captain Greg Printz(14) to an pto a little more than a month ago.
Five games in, he recorded a 1st assist.
10 games in, he gets a first pro AHL goal.
The fairly large 6’2″ 214 lbs. power forward currently sits at 1 goal and 2 assists in 12 appearances.
He had a bit of an uneasy COVID busted 2020/2021 scoring 6 goals and 9 assists in 25 games but we think it’s mostly it’s his junior year numbers that should be looked at, when he was able to get 15 goals and 12 assists through 34 contests, that season didn’t offer any playoffs as the pandemic was just shutting things down.
We think the 23-year old should get signed for 2021/2022, maybe where he is and the scoring will work itself out.
He goes from 67 games in a Springfield Thunderbirds‘ jersey last season, scoring 7 goals and 10 assists to a contract to play overseas for 2-time EIHL Champs’ Belfast Giants in 2023/2024.
Nashville Predators‘ 5th round pick in the 2016 draft (#138 overall), former outstanding point-per-game Boston University Terriers graduate, Patrick Harper(15) signed his two-year entry level deal as the plug was being pulled on the playoffs for the college hockey season and upon starting up has been mostly playing for Chicago Wolves but did start the season in the ECHL on a complete tear with Florida Everblades scoring 5 goals and 4 assist in 5 games.
The small 5’7″ 160 lbs. forward obviously knows how to find his open space.
He only has a pair of assists in 12 AHL games with a -6 but our bet is even with the bigger bodies, the puck is going to start to find him and he will be putting up stats.
The only 22-year old was drafted straight out of high school prep, played a pair of the MHSL sessions, scoring huge numbers, then finally to the USHL with Omaha Lancers before arriving at college a super youngster.
9 games into the new season without striking for affiliate Milwaukee Admirals, he has decided to opt out of the final year of his deal and heads to Finland’s Liiga, signing with HPK for the remainder of 2021/2022.
He would connect for 2 goals and 6 assists in 22 games, and has decided to opt for a bit of a lower challenge, signing with Mora IK of Allsvenskan for 2022/2023.
He will likely do very well in tier 2 Sweden’s hockey and be moved up.
A trade would send him to Kristianstads IK for most of last season, putting up decent enough numbers.
The New York native has made a decision to return to the US for 2023/2024, signing a 1-year deal with South Carolina Stingrays, which should see good results for both team and player.
4th year right wing Alec Butcher(11) put up career ECHL numbers by a pretty large stretch last season for Rapid City Rush, scoring 23 goals and 30 assists before adding another 5 points in 11 playoff matchups.
For 2022/2023, he was traded and subsequently signed a 1-year deal with Reading Royals.
In 10 games, the 5’10” 183 lbs. forward has 2 goals and 2 assists.
He did have 10+ goals in each of his first 2 seasons and 18 assists in his 2nd run with Wheeling Nailers.
The Anchorage, AK native skated two campaigns in juniors NAHL for local Kenai Brown Bears , being named league MVP in his 2nd, before heading off to 3 years at Sacred Heart University, where as a sophomore he recorded 22 assists in 37 games, but left in his senior year to head home to University Of Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves.
At 28-years old, he could be getting a bit of a late jump on scoring.
In a full-slate of 72 games he busts out 21 goals and 28 assists with a +8 rating and he will be back in a Royals‘ uniform for 2023/2024.
Undrafted 2nd year defenseman Zach Giuttari(44) re-signs with Hartford Wolf Pack for a 2nd season.
He signed a 1-game ato after graduating as senior captain from Brown University Bears, where he put up three years of decent point production.
The very decently sized 6’2″ 190 lbs. blue liner spent only one season in juniors for Chilliwack Chiefs with good numbers (8-9) in 54 BCHL games.
His 3 goals and 3 assists as a rookie in a ridiculous season of 22 AHL games with a +4 are good stats to keep him on board.
The 25-year old, Warwick, R.I native will likely do much better this year as it will be more normal and he’ll have one run under his belt.
Turns out he’s a hell of a lacrosse player too.
After 120+ games in Connecticut, he gets shipped across the country for a new start with Abbotsford Canucks.
In 17 games, he gets 3 assists, then adds another 2 in 6 playoff matchups to somehow land an amazing deal to head to the SHL and play games for Vaxjo Lakers HC in 2023/2024.
11th year left wing Matt Nieto(83) signs a new 2-year NHL deal with Pittsburgh Penguins through 2024/2025 for $900,000 AAV.
He was originally a San Jose Sharks‘ 2nd round pick in the 2011 draft (#47 overall), he skated almost 4 years for them before getting traded to Colorado Avalanche, where he spent close to the next 4 and then would return to the Sharks.
The 5’11” 190 lbs. forward did 3 years at Boston University Terriers after 2 campaigns with the USNTDP.
From Long Beach, CA, at 30-years old, he’s still ticking and could still be worth 10+ goals, 20+ assists.
11th year, Swedish-born left wing Carl Hagelin(62) decides to retire from the game after an eye injury, lacing up the skates in the NHL 713 times, scoring 110 goals and 186 assists with an absolutely off the hook for on-ice accountability +119 rating, plus back-to-back 2016 & 2017 Stanley Cups with Pittsburgh Penguins, 3 seasons of 30+ points and 4 at 20+.
The 5’11” 185 lbs. forward played all his junior hockey back home, but came over for 4 years at University Of Michigan Wolverines and served as senior captain.
He was originally a New York Rangers‘ 6th round pick in the 2007 draft pick (#168 overall).
No word if the 35-year old, who was with 5 different teams will stick around to find work someone, but that could easily happen.
New York Islanders‘ 11th year defenseman Scott Mayfield(24) signs a new 7-year deal to stay with the only team he’s played 428 NHL and 223 AHL games with.
Originally a 2nd round pick in the 2011 draft (#34 overall), he’s huge at 6’5″ 220 lbs.
He did 2 years at University Of Denver Pioneers after 2 USHL stints with Youngstown Phantoms.
The 30-year old, St. Louis, MO native is set to make $3.5M AAV for each year of his deal.
