3rd year net minder Stefanos Lekkas(40) takes some pretty impressive regular season ECHL stats to a new outlook, signing for 2022/2023 with Odense Bulldogs of Metal Ligaen.
He tended cage for 4 different clubs over 2021/2022, but seems to find his footing, when he arrived in a late trade to Maine Mariners, posting a 7-4 record with 2 shutouts, a 2.55 GAA and .920 SV%.
A University Of Vermont Catamounts‘ graduate, he looked to survive 4 years, keeping the puck out of the net as much as possible, leaving with a 2.62 and .918 marks.
The 26-year old should do very well on a good team in Denmark’s top hockey league.
Undrafted rookie left wing Jonathan Desbiens(21) signs once again with Maine Mariners for 2021/2022, just as he did in 2020, but the team had to opt out of the season due to COVID restrictions.
He was a fairly prolific scorer in 4 years at Bentley University Falcons, averaging 12 goals and 13 assists and twice hit the 30 point mark.
The Rosemere, QC native did come to play his first junior campaign for Lincoln Stars, getting 6 goals and 4 assists in 48 USHL games, but left fairly quickly agreeing to head to the other side of Canada, signing with West Kelowna Warriors and he had much better success, scoring 27 goals and 27 assists in 54 BCHL games.
This is where he was spotted and agreed to his college, then really blew up the scoring bubble with 44 goals and 39 assists.
We do believe the only 5’9″ 181 lbs., 25-year forward is going to become a scorer in the ECHL.
He ended up leaving his team midway through his rookie season for Ligue Magnus, agreeing to terms with Scorpions de Mulhouse, scoring 10 goals and 14 assists in 22 games, but for his encore signs 2022/2023 with rivals Gothiques d’Amiens.
Arizona State University Sun Devils‘ 2022/2023 commit Logan Derryberry(16) comes to them from a bit of an unlikely source, 2021/2022 captain for Seacoast Spartans of the EHL, tier 3 junior hockey.
The 5’11” 175 lbs. forward didn’t even exactly score amazing numbers with 3 goals and 6 assists in 38 games last season.
He does have one big regard in his favor to head to this NCAA Division 1 school in that he is a Phoenix, AZ native.
The 20-year old will definitely need to find his open spots to connect on the scoresheet, but it very well could start happening for him as a freshman.
Providence College Friars‘ senior, graduate center Matt Koopman(14) enters the transfer portal for another go at in a year of eligibility at UMass Minutemen for 2022/2023.
He finished up last season with a college career tying 5 goals and new best 7 assists and 12 points in 35 NCAA Division 1 games.
The 5’10” 174 lbs. forward played a year and a half with Waterloo Blackhawks, running up point-per-game totals in his 2nd frame to be invited to attend school for a 1st year mid-run.
He’d always been a good scorer through high school and the 24-year old should be able to continue to hit the back of the net with his new team.
New York Rangers‘ 6th round pick in the 2018 draft (#163 overall), American-Swedish defenseman Simon Kjellberg(2) has decided to head to Northern Michigan University Wildcats for his senior year entering the transfer portal after a very effective junior season, scoring college bests 8 goals and 19 assists, 27 points for RPI Engineers.
Although born in the US, he spent most of his junior hockey time in Sweden, as his former NHL player dad, Patric Kjellberg likely went home after his playing days were up.
He did spend one USHL campaign after being selected with Dubuque Fighting Saints and chose his 1st school.
The 6’3″ 190 lbs. 22-year old will likely settle into CCHA style quickly.
Mercyhurst University Lakers‘ 2022/2023 commit, center Ryan Coughlin(17) really came to live after a trade sent him to New Jersey Jr. Titans, where he would help them win the 2022 NAHL Robertson Cup.
He may have only ascended to a new best 18 assists, but it was his +20 rating that really stood out about his game.
The solid 6′ 181 lbs. forward also managed to score 11 points in 13 playoff games.
At 21-years old, the Charlotte, NC native could contribute right away in Atlantic Hockey play.
5th year center Marcus Power(9) leaves for a 2nd time after skating his 3rd season with the only local to home North American team he’s ever signed with, Newfoundland Growlers, who he also won the 2019 Kelly Cup Championship.
His other time overseas, for EV Landshut, he scored new career highs 29 goals and 40 assists in 47 DEL2 games.
The 6′ 185 lbs. forward heads to IceHL for 2022/2023, agreeing with Vienna Capitals.
We do think the 28-year old from St. John’s, NL, who skated three seasons for Rouyn-Noranda Huskies of the QMJHL, then headed to 4 years at University Of Prince Edward Island Panthers will definitely make an impression in Austria’s top hockey.
Trent Vogelhuber(13) retired from pro hockey a few years ago and immediately was adopted by Cleveland Monsters to become their assistant coach, a role he’s filled for the last 4 seasons.
He actually had his best campaign for the team, when they were called Lake Erie Monsters, scoring 11 goals and 16 assists in 70 AHL games and helping them win the 2016 Calder Cup.
The 6’2″ 185 lbs. forward was actually a Columbus Blue Jackets‘ 7th round pick in the 2007 draft (#211 overall), but didn’t actually sign an NHL contract until after winning the minor league title by Colorado Avalanche.
He skated two sessions with their affiliate before deciding to change sceneries.
The former Miami University (Ohio) Redhawks from right there in Dublin, OH, at 33-years old becomes his team’s newest, 7th all-time head coach.
They are dropping like flies from the college ranks to sign pro deals, and center Dylan Holloway(36), Edmonton Oilers‘ 1st round pick in 2020 (#14 overall) inks his 3-year contract to join the team immediately.
He could show up in the main camp on the taxi squad, especially considering the University Of Wisconsin Badgers‘ sophomore year he’s coming off, scoring all new bests 11 goals, 24 assists and 35 points in 23 NCAA games.
He may be better off reassigned to affiliate Bakersfield Condors, where at the very least he’ll be involved.
At 6’1″ 203 lbs. he’s a bit of a towering presence, who’s always managed to affect the scoresheet through a pair of campaigns with Okotoks Oilers of the AJHL for the Calgary native.
It’s going to be exciting watching this still super young 19-year old get started.
He gets a 1st NHL appearance in a deciding playoff game and despite on being on ice for 7 shifts, 3:27, he did dish out a hit and left the loss with a +1 rating.
No doubt, he’s a player that will get more looks.
Worcester Jr. Railers‘ 2nd year captain, center Matt Pimental(21) commits to Stonehill College Skyhawks for 2021/2022.
The 5’11” 170 lbs. plays wider than his weight scored a junior best 14 goals and 25 assists in 42 EHL games last season.
He should be able to adapt well into the school’s new NCAA Division 1 schedule.
The 21-year old from East Providence, RI is staying close for college hockey, so friends can come see him play.
