Minnesota Wild 8th year defenseman Kevin Czuczman(7) is spending most of his time thus far in 2021/2022 with affiliate Iowa Wild, but has been on the short list for recalls.
He has only skated 15 NHL games with 13 of those after his 3rd year at Lake Superior State University Lakers for entry level contract club, New York Islanders.
The 6’3″ 195 lbs. blu liner spent his first couple with their affiliate Bridgeport Sound Tigers, but when his contract expired was left unqualified as a group 6 free agent.
He couldn’t have landed at a better spot and signed for one year with Manitoba Moose, producing career high 9 goals and 23 assists to gain the attention of Pittsburgh Penguins, who signed him to a two-way for a year.
In his first frame for his new club, he once again reached a new best on assists, striking for 31 with a +15 rating.
He would make not equal this output in his 2nd year under contract, but did well enough to earn another two to stay.
The 30-year old from London, ON has definitely worked hard for what he has earned and mostly seemed to smile about it.
In likely the most no brainer of free agency, he signs for 2022/2023 with Ilves of Liiga and will likely perform really well in Finland’s top league.
New Jersey Devils‘ 4th round pick in the 2022 draft (#126 overall) defenseman Charlie Leddy(7) commits to Boston College Eagles for 2022/2023 after picking up 17 assists in 55 USHL games with USNTDP and a handy +33 rating.
The 6’1″ 185 lbs. blue liner from Fairfield, CT looks to be a good shut-down blue liner that can also pick up points.
He arrives at his new school as just an 18-year old.
5th year defenseman Jeff Taylor(3) signs to return to Hartford Wolf Pack after a year away, in which he was loaned up from contract club Jacksonville Icemen for 6 AHL games.
The 6′ 185 lbs. blue liner is still working his way into a full slate of appearances.
Originally a Pittsburgh Penguins‘ 7th round pick in the 2014 draft (#203 overall), his high is 43 contests as a sophomore skater mostly for affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
The 4-year Union College graduate definitely can put up numbers, as he did through college, scoring 18 goals and 74 assists with a +33 rating in 149 ECAC games.
It’s definitely possible the 27-year old from Clifton Park, NY plays more of a stay at home style to help accountability, which he is a +1 for 78 games in the league.
He maybe takes a little bit of a sure bet contract for 2022/2023, agreeing to terms with close to home Adirondack Thunder for 2022/2023.
It would be little surprise to see him have really good success with the local team.
11th year defenseman Nicholas Schaus(28) returns to Norfolk Admirals, where he spent 18 AHL games in his third pro season.
Now an ECHL team, in 5 games, he’s already posted a pair of assists.
The 5’11” 200 lbs. blue liner has always been known for dishing helpers in good amounts, reaching 20+ assists and 30+ points overseas on 3 occasions.
He had 10+ assists for 3 of 4 years at UMass-Lowell Riverhawks.
The 35-year old is a great team guy and maybe shows little signs of slowing down.
He likes where he is and decides to stay for 2022/2023 after putting in 4 goals and 11 assists.
This could be it, then he would be an amazing coach.
Undrafted rookie right wing Jack Billings(27) becomes one of the first player signings to the new ECHL team Iowa Heartlanders.
The Oak Lawn, IL native has already experienced an interesting run to ultimately turning pro.
He played his 1st junior season with Janesville Jets, scoring a modest 2 goals and 6 assists in 42 NAHL games as a youngster.
Also, drafted by Green Bay Gamblers, he skated 4 USHL games, grabbing an assist.
He would start the next season back in tier 2 junior hockey, but maybe almost oddly left to join a high performance skating league HPHL 18U for a spell before settling in with Brockville Braves to play out his 2nd frame.
Turns out he like the CCHL and settled in for the next couple years (41-77=118 in 130 games) before committing to Salve Regina University Seahawks DIII.
The 5’9″ 190 lbs. forward would have a decent rookie campaign, but really starting popping as a 2nd year skater for 19 goals and 26 assists in 40 games.
Just as he was readying for a third season at school, Niagara University Purple Eagles swoop in, he sits one season in the transfer portal and finishes up with two seasons on some very decent scoring ground.
The 25-year old is likely ready to transition his game to another level.
He scores 14 goals and 15 assists as a 1st year player and he’s off, signing a 1-year deal with Coventry Blaze of the EIHL for 2022/2023 and on a good team will likely light that league up big.
Anna Maria College Amcats‘ graduate center Gavin Proeh(16) maybe didn’t have his highest scoring totals with 5 goals and 11 assists in 22 games, but did leave last session with his highest plus/minus mark at 13.
The 6’2″ 192 lbs. forward will next take his game to HockeyTvaan, signing a 1-year deal with Amals SK.
A Highland Park, IL native, he was a good scorer in USHS-IL.
We think the 24-year old could become somewhat of a stud in Sweden’s tier 4 league.
Colgate University Raiders‘ graduate right wing Griffin Lunn(16) signs a 1st pro contract for 2022/2023 with Wheeling Nailers.
The 5’10” 190 lbs. forward scored a college career best 12 goals and 19 points last season.
He played 2 USHL sessions before leaving for school with his 2nd one for a pair of teams showing good scoring signs.
The 24-year old, Buffalo, NY native will likely shine well in the ECHL.
Undrafted left wing Jackson Jutting(14) trades in a pair of seasons at Colorado College Tigers, scoring a college best 3 goals and 7 assists in 35 NCAA Division 1 games for a junior year, closer to home with Bemidji State University Beavers.
The 5’10” 196 lbs. forward was a solid scorer through 4 years at Prior Lake High, always increasing his point totals through USHS-MN seasons until hitting 42 points in 24 games as a senior captain.
He was selected by his 1st school early in his sophomore session.
The 21-year old will likely find the CCHA a little tougher going, but should be able to find space to add to scoring.
Castleton University Knights‘ graduate defenseman Jahwara Rennells(5), who lists Sandy Hill, ON and Jamaica as places of birth, decides to turn pro and accepts an offer to join tier 3 Hockeyettan, signing for 2022/2023 with Helsingborgs HC.
The 5’9″ 194 lbs. blue liner had a college best 2 goals and 5 assists in 26 games last season.
He played most of three years in the CCHL before heading to school.
The 25-year old will likely catch on big in Sweden’s hockey league.
After taking a year to turn pro after two NAHL seasons with Maine Nordiques, Stockholm-born defenseman Casper Soderling(56) skated for Nacka HK of Division 2, running some decent numbers, 2 goals and 16 assists in 26 games last season.
The 6′ 172 lbs. blue liner seems to have changed his mind and accepted a commitment to American International College Yellowjackets for 2022/2023.
As a 21-year old, he will likely find some room to play his game in Atlantic Hockey and may even really take to it well.
