Anaheim Ducks recently acquired Minnesota Wild 6th round pick in the 2019 draft (#172 overall), Boston College Eagles‘ junior center Nikita Nesterenko(62) gets a 2-year NHL entry level deal to leave school a year early to come skate pro.
The 6’2″ 183 lbs. forward had a college career best 13 goals and 21 assists in 36 games that last through the 2nd round of Hockey East tournament.
He gets to skate a first big league game, going 17 shifts for 13:06 of ice time with 4 shots on net and left a 4-1 loss with a -1 rating.
Only 21-years old from Brooklyn, NY there is time for him to develop, but he may be ready to play at the highest level.
He reports to affiliate San Diego Gulls and helps them win games with 16 goals and 21 assists in 70 games and a +6 rating.
Little thought to invite him back to see what more he has to accomplish.
Orlando Solar Bears‘ 2nd year left wing Tanner Schachle(12) will return for 2024/2025 after scoring 4 goals and 12 assists in 50 games with a +8 rating.
The 6’4″ 218 lbs. forward has still been looking for that spark to affect his ECHL scoring.
He was never much of a scorer with 7 goals and 7 assists as a sophomore at University Of Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves before transferring to Long Island University Sharks, where he wasn’t used much.
From Wasilla, AK, the 27-year old would love to see another breakout, like his 2nd NAHL frame with Fairbanks Ice Dogs.
East Coast Wizards‘ 2nd year center Casey Raffone(17) picks the new D3 program at Keene State College Owls for his 2024/2025 commit.
The 6′ 181 lbs. forward scored 21 goals and 22 assists in 44 EHL games last season.
From Guilford, CT, the 21-year old will do well playing the independent schedule of his new school.
Rookie left wing Jack Olmstead(9) blew up scoring in Finland’s Division 2 for Amals SK to the tune of 28 goals and 29 assists in 27 games played and wants to return close to home late season, signing with Kalamazoo Wings for their playoff run.
The 5’10” 181 lbs. forward played 3 years at Miami University (Ohio) Redhawks, but wasn’t really a big scorer and that came after 2 years of little use with University Of Michigan Wolverines.
From Troy, MI, the 25-year old only did 1 NAHL season, popping the scoring for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights for 23 goals and 30 assists.
We are interested to see if his scoring can extend into the ECHL, but we suspect he’ll connect.
He doesn’t much connect in his time back and looks to an opportunity in Germany3 with EC Bad Tolz for 2024/2025.
Rockets Hockey Club‘ 3rd year left wing Cam Bergeman(22) takes 3 USPHL/NCDC seasons of scoring to a 2024/2025 commit at University Of New England Nor’easters for 2024/2025.
The 5’9″ 150 lbs. forward may find the CCC a bit more of a challenge to score, but he also may find space.
From Newark, DE, the 21-year old should be a fun watch.
After a 5th year, serving as captain of Colorado College Tigers‘, showcasing a 3rd 10+ point season defenseman Bryan Yoon(4) signs a 1st pro deal with Utah Grizzlies for 2023/2024.
The 6’1″ 180 lbs. blue liner pulled off back-to-back 60 game USHL seasons for Tri-City Storm with his 32 assists, doubling what he did in his 1st year.
A native of Parker, CO, he also had an equally impressive 1 BCHL frame with 27 assists.
The 25-year old is likely ready to get started in the ECHL.
He pulls off 3 goals and 14 assists in 35 games with a +11 rating to earn a loan up to Hartford Wolf Pack, where he signs a 1-year AHL deal for 2023/2024 to stay.
In 18 games, he grabs 2 goals and is a +1 skater, but elects to head home and signs with Colorado Eagles for 2024/2025, but could see playing time with affiliate Utah Grizzlies too.
UMASS-Lowell Riverhawks‘ graduate right wing Nick Granowicz(15) signs a 1st pro deal with Savannah Ghost Pirates after 4 goals and 4 assists in 25 games last season.
The 6’1″ 183 lbs. forward transferred from 4 years at University Of Michigan Wolverines, where he always seemed to put up similar numbers and played a college best 36 games as a senior.
He is also a +24 rating, so has good on ice accountability.
In 5 ECHL games, the Macomb, MI native has 3 goals (2 in his debut) and is a +3 rating.
The 26-year old should get re-signed by this non-playoff team for 2024/2025 in a second.
Yup, he’s going to return for his official rookie year to wear at Ghost Pirates‘ uniform.
6th year left wing Kyle Criscuolo(42) gets a new crack at the NHL with Detroit Red Wings, his first since an unsuccessful 9 game stint after signing an entry level deal with Buffalo Sabres.
The 5’9″ 175 lbs. forward started his pro career on a 1-year minor league deal with Grand Rapids Griffins, where he put up 17 goals and 24 assists with a +15 rating to get on the major radar.
He has always managed to put up good numbers with affiliates and has point-per-game stats in the current AHL frame.
The 29-year old, former Harvard University Crimson two-time captain posted outstanding points in school and is likely very happy how his pro career is stretching out to include yet another recall.
He would re-sign for a 5th season in a Griffins‘ uniform, but a mid-year minor trade sends him to San Jose Sharks for a new look and start on things at now 30-years old.
After a decent enough showing in the minors, he scores a 1-game recall to the big league and what do you know, the now 31-year old grabs a 1st NHL goal.
For 2023/2024, the Southampton Township, NJ native comes home, signing a 1-year, 2-way deal with New Jersey Devils that will very likely see him mostly with affiliate Utica Comets, but could score some looks.
He walks away from last season with a career best assists, 26 and points, 42 and he signs for 2024/2025 with Charlotte Checkers and will likely just continue to score in the minors.
2nd year Bentley University Falcons‘ goaltender Nicholas Grabko(50) is definitely garnering some attention.
He has put up an impressive pair of victories vs. ranked clubs, but even in losses has performed with gymnastic-like theatrics, stopping pucks.
The almost unassuming 5’11” 181 lbs. net minder was a late add to the college after a 2nd season on good junior hockey stats for Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL, even though he was basically an upcoming star in the Chicago Mission 13U – 16U AAA.
For a 2nd time in 3 weeks, the 21-year old has been named Atlantic Hockey Goalie Of The Week.
He has decided to take on a graduate season at University Of Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks for 2024/2025 and we should watch him help his new college team win games.
Northeast Generals‘ 3rd year left wing, captain Caiden Hess(16) chooses to commit to New England College Pilgrims for 2024/2025.
He scored 13 goals and 17 assists in 40 NA3HL games last frame and did even better in his 1st pair of seasons.
The 5’8″ 170 lbs. forward from Abington, MA will leave the nest for a 1st time at 21-years old.
