University Of Maine Black Bears‘ graduate, right wing Ryan Smith(10) was never a big goal scorer through his college career or in two years of juniors with Green Bay Gamblers but struck for a quick goal and pair of assists in his debut with Macon Mayhem through 6 SPHL games.
His play earned him a loan up to Tulsa Oilers of the ECHL, where he appeared in three games with no points and was returned to increase his totals in the lower league to 5-9-14 in 25 appearances.
It seems like the 6′ 195 lbs. forward could start striking the stat sheet with more frequency to possibly, more permanently put him at a higher level of play.
He was actually signed by Adirondack Thunder to start 2020/2021, but they decided to sit it out due to COVID concerns, so he’s on the radar.
The 24-year old does finally sign on with the Glens Falls, NY club and will skate 2021/2022 for them.
He records 11 goals and 16 assists in 70 games as a rookie, but was a bit of a woeful -22 rating.
His play scored him a 2 game AHL loan to Springfield Thunderbirds.
For 2022/2023, he re-signs to stay where he skated his 1st season.
He blows up his scoring last season with 16 goals and 26 assists in another 70 game rack to easily score himself an invite to return yet again to Cool Insuring Arena.
Last season he post more goals, 27 and points, 60 than he has in the past and will stay for a 3rd straight run in a Thunder jersey and maybe get more loans up, where he got a 1st goal in 2023/2024.
He has basically changed the type of player his is since turning pro.
Bentley University Falcons‘ 2022/2023 commit, huge 6’4″ 201 lbs. goaltender Josh Seeley(31) will definitely have some competition, but could prove to be a dark horse freshman, if given the opportunity.
He finished up 2021/2022 attempting to keep Minnesota Magicians decently afloat in the NAHL, but missing out on postseason.
Considering his size, and performance for Oakland Junior Grizzlies 18U AAA a few years back, he could easily catch fire with the right club.
There’s little doubt, the 21-year of from Trenton, MI will have plenty to play for.
His time at his 1st school did not equal much playing time, so he is off for his junior year at Skidmore College Thoroughbreds for 2024/2025.
Boston Jr. Rangers‘ Kazakhstan-born 2nd year left wing Tay Melis(10) takes 44 assists in 43 EHL games last season to a 2024/2025 commit at Albertus Magnus College Falcons for 2024/2025.
The 5’10” 170 lbs. forward actually did half of his 1st junior season in the lower EHLP for 17 games before being elevated.
He did his high school in the PA area and the 20-year old must be ready for his next step to college hockey and education.
10th year net minder Anthony Stolarz(41) gets a 1-year NHL deal with Florida Panthers worth $1.1M AAV after spending the last 4 in Anaheim Ducks‘ system.
Originally a Philadelphia Flyers‘ 2nd round pick in the 2013 draft (#45 overall), he spent the 1st 5 years of his pro career with them.
The huge 6’6″ 243 lbs. goalie played 8 games at University Of Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks before leaving to join London Knights for 2 seasons, winning the 2013 OHL Championship in his 1st after coming from college.
At 29-years old, he will likely see more action in the show, but also will help train the youngsters in the system.
In 27 games for his new team as primary backup, he comes away with some pretty outstanding numbers to help the team win the 2024 Stanley Cup.
An unrestricted free agent, Toronto Maple Leafs are interested and agree to terms on 2 years for $2.5M AAV.
UMass Minutemen senior, captain Bobby Trivigno(41) had himself a career year, scoring all new bests 17 goals, 26 assists for 43 points with a +20 rating, as his team pushes towards Hockey East playoffs.
The 5’8″ 162 lbs. undrafted fleet foot forward has to be on many a team’s list to have a look at as 2022 unrestricted free agency opens up.
He had solid runs through USHS-Prep, then one season of USHL for Waterloo Blackhawks before committing.
The 23-year old possesses a lot of those skills you can easily see on display and plenty of intangibles that comes from being a team player.
He has a decent pair of AHL frames with Hartford Wolf Pack, while signed to a 2-year NHL entry level deal with New York Rangers, but spies an opportunity in the SHL and signs another 2-year contract with Brynas IF for 2024/2025.
4th year center Sam Lafferty(18) gets a new start, as he is traded to Chicago Blackhawks from draft club, Pittsburgh Penguins (4th round, 2014, #113 overall) after appearing in only 10 NHL games with two assists and a 0 rating.
The former Brown University Bears‘ forward will likely find more room to continue to develop his game.
He has 94 games to his credit, scoring 6 goals and 15 assists.
The 26-year old is fairly prolific in the minors with 17 goals and 38 assists through 85 AHL games.
If he can catch on with his new team, there’s little doubt he’ll earn a new contract, but if that doesn’t happen, we expect him to pick up and leave for overseas.
After a solid 2021/2022 season, scoring 5 goals and 6 assists in 46 games, he picks himself up a healthy 2-year extension to continue.
He actually takes a trade travel path from scoring a best 10 goals and 11 assists in 53 games to being dealt to Toronto Maple Leafs near the end of that campaign, where he did ok in just 19 games, then 9 in the playoffs.
In the offseason, the unrestricted free agent signs with Vancouver Canucks and this turns out to be pretty successful with a new best 13 goals and 24 points in 79 games with a +4 rating.
He will need a new contract, but he returns to the Blackhawks in yet another transaction for the Hollidaysburg, PA native.
Buffalo Sabres step in and offer him 2 years for $2M AAV and he accepts.
12th year veteran, unrestricted free agent defenseman Brendan Smith(7) signs a new deal with Carolina Hurricanes for 2021/2022.
He’ll definitely help solidify the blue line for his new club.
The 6’2′ 200 lbs. d-man has a hefty 526 NHL games experience, scoring 29 goals and 81 assists.
Originally a Detroit Red Wings‘ 1st round pick in the 2007 draft (#27 overall), he played the first 7 years of his pro career in their system.
He’s almost oddly, quietly skated for New York Rangers the last four years and sort of no surprise he didn’t continue.
The 32-year old, former University Of Wisconsin Badgers, who put up a huge 15 goals and 37 assists in 42 Big10 games, has to be happy just playing and could split for some overseas looks before retiring.
Heading into 2022/2023, he records 4 goals and 4 assists in 65 games with a +6 rating, then adds 4 more points in 14 playoff contests.
His accountability gets him a new 2-year deal with New Jersey Devils worth $1.1M AAV and at the very least will help stabilize their blue line.
After 2 seasons with the same team, he moves to sign with Dallas Stars for 2024/2025.
Undrafted defenseman Brendon Michaelian(2) finishes up at his 3rd school, Mercyhurst University Lakers and signs a 1st pro contract with Fort Wayne Komets for 2023/2024.
The 6′ 172 lbs. blue liner 1st went to Robert Morris University Pioneers after a decent enough 2-year NAHL run with Amarillo Bulls, but they stopped fielding a team after his sophomore year, so switched to Ferris State University Bulldogs.
From Wixom, MI, the 25-year old is likely ready to get started in one place after his college hockey journey.
He in all eventuality, actually signs with Fayetteville Marksmen for his rookie season and did pretty well to get loaned up to Toledo Walleye, where he played a very steady, accountable game.
For 2024/2025, he re-signs to stay in the ECHL.
Undrafted 8th year goaltender Casey DeSmith(1) gets a new 2-year deal to stick with the only team he has ever known, Pittsburgh Penguins, signing a new 2-year NHL deal.
The 6′ 181 lbs. net minder has consistently held his GAA to around 2 and SV% in the .900 range either up with the big club or tending for affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, so has some skill in the crease.
His actual 1st contract after graduating University Of New Hampshire Wildcats was with Wheeling Nailers and he played 13 ECHL games with very good numbers to get loaned up in the system, where he did outstanding in 6 AHL games to earn his entry level contract in the next frame.
The 31-year old from Rochester, NH has worked very hard, but also has had some very good luck riding on his shoulders.
For the 1st time in his pro career, he gets moved to a new team, Montreal Canadiens, who pick up his contract.
He barely suits up for his new club and gets a promo photo shot before he is moved to Vancouver Canucks, who may have more of a need for a new kind of #1.
It’s here where his game comes back together, as he gets 29 starts and does pretty well, but it’s his playoff look that really gets him some action.
Dallas Stars step in and offers the unrestricted free agent a 3-year deal.
3rd year left wing Patrick Curry(17) takes a 2-year deal with Grand Rapids Griffins to a new 1-year contract to rivals Iowa Wild for 2022/2023.
The former Boston University Terriers‘ senior captain scored a college career best 19 goals and 33 points before turning pro.
He actually did 8 games in Slovak2 Extraliga on loan to HC Detva before the COVID-cracked 2020/2021 AHL got started.
The 5’10” 185 lbs. 26-year old forward should continue to add to his totals, especially as he plays more games.
He puts up blockbuster ECHL numbers for Kansas City Mavericks with a single season best, scoring 39 goals and 48 assists with a +29 in a full-slate of 72 games.
For 2024/2025, he gets an offer to head to Liiga and sign with Kalpa to continue his game overseas.
