Undrafted rookie defenseman Jared Brandt(16) takes 4 years at Niagara University Purple Eagles to a 1st pro contract with Reading Royals for 2021/2022.
The 1-year Miami University (Ohio) Redhawks‘ transfer was pretty much good for 10 points per frame.
He skated three seasons of juniors for Minot Minotauros and sort of popped his scoring lid as captain with 5 goals and 22 assists with a +17 rating in 59 NAHL games.
The 6′ 196 lbs., 25-year old blue liner will likely be able to connect for points in the ECHL.
He wound up with 1 goal and 6 assists with a +4 rating before a trade sent him to Worcester Railers for the remainder of the frame and he would end up with another helper in 9 contests.
His performance was good enough to want to have him around for a full season in central MA.
Niagara University Purple Eagles‘ senior defenseman Zac Herrmann(12) wasted zero time turning pro, as soon as his team was ousted from NCAA Division Atlantic Hockey play for 2021/2022 and inked a contract to join Cincinnati Cyclones for the remainder of the frame.
In a new high 36 games, he was able to score a best 5 goals and 10 assists.
He had 31 helpers in his 2nd NAHL season of juniors as assistant captain for Odessa Jackalopes.
The Lancaster, NY native also managed 34 assists in one season up north in the OJHL for Burlington Cougars.
No points in a pair of ECHL games to start, but it would be little surprise to see the 6′ 185 lbs. blue liner have an impact early.
Only able to put up an assist in 12 games, he decides to look elsewhere for a contract and signs on with Manchester Storm and will skate EIHL as a rookie.
Big Swedish-born defenseman Oliver Rooth(28) spent only last season at Johnson & Wales University Wildcats, getting 2 goals and 2 assists in 21 NCAA Division 3 games, but has decided to return to the pro ranks at home, joining Borlange HF of HockeyEttan for 2022/2023.
The 6’3″ 200 lbs. blue liner recently played in the tier 3 Swedish league, skating 34 games for Sollentuna HC, getting a goal and 5 assists.
He played there after trying a campaign of junior hockey in the US with Twin City Thunder of USPHL/NCDC.
The 22-year old will no doubt continue to grow his game and maybe attend some school in his hometown on the side.
University Of New Hampshire Wildcats‘ 2022/2023 commit, goaltender Tyler Muszelik(30) is coming off a hot 2nd USHL season for the USNTDP squad, posting a 10-3-2 record with a 3.17 GAA and a .900 SV%.
The 6’2″ 194 lbs. wasn’t as successful in his 1st year, coming off some strong play for his local New Jersey Rockets team.
At just 18, he was recently selected in the 4th round of the NHL draft (#189 overall) by Florida Panthers.
He still has some developing going on, so hopefully it can help his new college club win games.
University Of Vermont Catamounts‘ freshman center Joel Määttä(9) has no points in 15 NCAA Division 1 games, but when was called to play for home team Finland in the World Juniors, potted 2 assists in 2 wins before the whole tournament got trashed.
The 6’2″ 201 lbs. forward definitely plays like he is on the verge of scoring after a pair of decent successful USHL runs with Sioux City Musketeers.
This is still only a 19-year old, adjusting, waiting to catch on.
He would score 3 goals and 3 assists in 32 NCAA Division 1 games last season and Edmonton Oilers like what they see, so pick him in the 2022 NHL draft, 7th round, #222 overall.
Michigan Tech Huskies senior transfer portal pick up from 3-years at Boston University Terriers, left wing Matthew Quercia(13) was never the biggest scorer, but through 4 games with his new team has an assist and is a +3 rating.
The 6’3″ 203 lbs. forward from Andover, MA played most of his youth hockey in the New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs‘ program, and when he was ready to age out, was given the chance to skate with the tier 3 junior team, picking up 5 assists in 6 games, then adding another 7 points (4-3) in the playoffs to a 2016 EHL Championship.
From there he accepted the invitation to head to the popular local college and was a 6th round pick in the USHL draft by Sioux Falls Stampede and spent 2 years there before heading to school.
The 22-year old, because of his size, will be an interesting look to turn pro once he graduates.
He signed with Wheeling Nailers upon finishing up and got to business with 3 goals and 4 assists in 19 games, then another 2 and 2 in 10 playoff games to become an absolute no-brainer to invite back for a full run at a season.
Robert Morris University Colonials‘ senior Nick Lalonde(10) had no team to play for last season at school and decides to turn pro for 2022/2023, signing with Neuilly-sur-Marne Les Bisons of France3.
The 5’9″ 175 lbs. Brooklin, ON native played 4 seasons of junior hockey close to home in the CCHL winning the 2018 Championship with Ottawa Jr. Senators.
At 24-years old, he had limited scoring through school, but we think in this league his numbers will tick up nicely.
Trois Rivières Lions‘ rookie center Brendan Locke(27) is off to a hot start with 3 goals and 6 assists in 16 ECHL games with a +5 rating, as the team heads into its 1st playoff berth.
He was coming off a 5th, graduate year at Cornell University Big Red, where he was always a solid scoring threat.
The 5’10” 176 lbs. forward did 4 campaigns of junior hockey, starting with a pair in the NOJHL before heading to 2 OJHL stints.
He twice was good for 40+ points in the Ontario league.
The 24-year old has to have a small smile on his face as he goes into postseason play.
For 2022/2023, he decides to sign with rivals Indy Fuel.
Boston University Terriers‘ 2022/2023 commit, 6’3″ 205 lbs. right wing Devin Kaplan(21) heads to his new school after scoring 8 goals and 10 assists in 22 USHL games in his 2nd season for USNTDP.
A Philadelphia Flyers‘ 3rd round pick in the 2022 draft (#69 overall), the 18-year old will definitely be one to watch carefully for an entry level contract, as he starts college hockey.
At just 18-years old, there’s a little time, but things could move quickly.
Undrafted left wing Steven Ipri(23) takes a 4-year college career at Mercyhurst University Lakers to a 1st pro contract with Wichita Thunder.
The 5’11” 155 lbs. forward was a solid scorer through 2 NAHL seasons, getting 17 goals and 27 assists in his 2nd frame.
In 3 ECHL games, he already has an assist.
The 24-year old from Broadview Heights, OH should find success in this league, if he sticks around.
In an almost odd move, he signs for 2022/2023 in Germany3 with HC Landsberg and will likely post some career high stats.
