Washington Capitals‘ 8th year defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk(57) re-upped on a new 2-year deal through 2023, as last season’s weirdo run was wrapping up.
He’s out of the gate strong in his 2nd season, notching 6 assists in 17 NHL games with a +6 rating.
The 6’3″ 191 lbs. blue liner scored very decently through 3 years at University Of New Hampshire Wildcats, averaging 5 goals and 15 assists a frame.
At 30-years old, he just may be arriving into his best game a little late.
Arizona Coyotes‘ 6th year right wing Hudson Fasching(24) took a strong start with affiliate Tucson Roadrunners, scoring 4 goals and 6 assists in 10 AHL games to a first recall and NHL appearance.
The 6’3″ 204 lbs. forward skated a very conservative 12 shifts for 5:44 ice time with 2 hits thrown.
He played his first big league games with Buffalo Sabres, right after completing a third season at University Of Minnesota Golden Gophers, scoring highs of 20 goals and 18 assists in 37 games to an entry level deal and his first 7 games, getting a goal and an assist.
The 26-year old has been with his current club for the past four years and seems relatively content.
Colorado College Tigers‘ 2022/2023 commit, right wing Bret Link(10) is spending his 3rd and final frame at junior hockey with Fargo Force, scoring 2 goals and 3 assists in 13 USHL games.
The 6’2″ 185 lbs. Anchorage, AK forward finished up a pair of successful seasons with Fairbanks Ice Dogs, amassing 55 points in 95 NAHL games with a +22 rating.
As a 20-year old, he should be able to step right into NCHC play, when he arrives.
Lake Superior State University Lakers‘ commit, 2nd year NAHL center Branden Piku(18) is putting up junior hockey, career best numbers, 8 goals and 12 assists in 22 games for Maryland Black Bears, like he’s getting ready to contribute from the get-go 2022/2023, if given the opportunity.
The small 5’8″ 154 lbs. pivot has definitely displayed that he can pocket points.
We’re sure that as he finishes up the current frame, the 19-year old from Harrison Township, MI has his eyes on some CCHA hockey.
Mercyhurst University Lakers‘ portal transfer, graduate captain Pierce Crawford(26) gets it going with a 1st Atlantic Hockey goal to go along with a pair of assists in 10 games to start the 2021/2022 session.
In 4 years at University Of Notre Dame Fighting Irish, his best was 5 points (2 goals, 3 assists) as a sophomore.
The 5’9″ wide 190 lbs. forward connected for almost equal points, including 18 goals in a pair of junior seasons, first NAHL and later USHL before college.
It will be interesting to see where the 24-year old will take his game next.
Boston Bruins‘ 3rd year center (10th overall), Charlie Coyle(13) taking some practice tips and plays in front of net minder Linus Ullmark at practice this morning after scoring a pair of goals in the team’s last home game.
He skated a year and a half at Boston University Terriers, but the San Jose Sharks‘ 1st round 2010 draft pick (#28 overall) decided to split for junior hockey in Canada.
The 6’3″ 214 lbs. forward joined Saint Johns Sea Dogs and ended up winning the 2012 QMJHL Championship with playoff scoring totals that equaled 2-points per game for the Winthrop, MA native.
Canisius College Golden Griffins‘ junior portal transfer Danny DiGrande(14) is already sort of doing better than any of his previous two sessions with RPI Engineers.
They didn’t play in 2020/2021.
The 5’10” 181 lbs. forward has two goals to start 2021/2022, and only ever scored 3 goals as a sophomore at his former school.
They did not play last season due to COVID restrictions.
The hard-skating, Macomb, MI native had three decent numbered USHL junior campaigns with 4 different teams, mostly through trades and finally with Green Bay Gamblers, before agreeing to school.
He still has an year to continue improving those stats and it will be interesting to see if Atlantic Hockey was the trick to turn that corner.
Canisius College Golden Griffins‘ graduate defenseman Cory Thomas(37) makes a good decision to enter the portal transfer for his year of eligibility coming in from 4 years at University Of Vermont Catamounts.
The sizably huge 6’5″ 219 lbs. blue liner has never been much of a scorer, but has started 2021/2022 with a goal and an assist in 9 games with a +1 rating, so maybe starting something.
He agreed to his first school after his 2nd season of SJHL, near his hometown St. Brieux, SK, with Flin Flon Bombers.
It will be really interesting to see where the 23-year old, big d-man goes next.
Undrafted 3rd year defenseman Alex Thow(3) started 2021/2022 with 6 Tipos Extraliga games for HKM Zvolen, but was unable to connect, so decided to leave and signs with Nottingham Panthers.
The former 4-year Clarkson University Golden Knights‘ blue liner was always a + player, graduating with a +30 rating and posting a college career best 8 goals and 18 assists as a senior before signing an AHL ato with Utica Comets.
He would sign an extension over the summer to stay, but was reassigned to Kalamazoo Wings, where he spent the entirety of his rookie campaign, scoring ECHL bests 7 goals and 22 assists.
The 6’1″ 200 lbs. 26-year old d-man from East York, ON will likely do very well in the EIHL.
After a solid season in the SJHL, scoring 10 goals and 40 assists in 57 games that got him noticed and committed to attend University Of Vermont Catamounts for 2022/2023, Karter McNarland(43) had a tough time connecting with a pair of USHL and NAHL teams before hooking up with South Shore Kings, where he was able to pop in 5 USPHL/NCDC games with 2 goals and 3 assists.
The 5’11” 170 lbs. Saskatoon, SK native transferred closer to home to the Powell River Kings and is very much hitting the ground running with 4 goals and 5 assists in 9 BCHL games.
At just 18-years old, he may be almost ready to step into tough Hockey East play.
