UMass-Lowell Riverhawks‘ Latvian-born, graduate goaltender Gustavs Davis Grigals(39) signs a 1st pro deal with Milwaukee Admirals for 2023/2024, but has joined the club for the Calder Cup playoff push, although not likely to see action.
The 6’2″ 196 lbs. net minder had a 12-9-2 record with a 2.05 GAA and .924 SV%, including 2 shutouts.
He was better than any previous season he played at University Of Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks, but did have 1 outstanding run through the NAHL juniors with Shreveport Mudbugs.
The 24-year old should be a standout performer as a rookie.
Parent club, Nashville Predators step in as the season is wrapping up and sign him for the current frame to an NHL contract, in a move we can only feel has implications for next season moving forward.
He is mostly sent to play in the ECHL for his rookie season and he decides to move back closer to home, signing with HK Dukla Trencin of Slovak Extraliga, where we think he re-finds his game.
After 5 games, he will switch things up and move on to Finland’s top hockey, Liiga signing with SaiPa for 2024/2025.
We do think it gels for him here.
Rookie left wing Max Neill(6) signs on for a full frame with Utah Grizzlies after joining the team upon finishing up at University Of Waterloo Warriors, where he scored pretty well.
The 6’1″ 190 lbs. forward from Portage la Prairie, MB did a couple of sessions of juniors close to home before heading to 2 years in the NAHL, where he had 20+ goals and 20+ assists in his 2nd frame before college.
He committed to Lindenwood University Lions, but left after an unsuccessful freshman year.
We think the 23-year old gets settled with his team will start finding ways to produce points.
He actually doesn’t report and signs with Bloomington Bison for his rookie frame.
Sacred Heart University Pioneers‘ junior defenseman Garrett Sundquist(7) has figured into 5 games already this season.
That’s close to the 9 the 6’3″ 205 lbs. 2 USHL junior year blue liner appeared in last season.
He played in only 2 games as a freshman at Providence College Friars.
From South Glastonbury, CT, the 23-year old is basically home for school.
Arizona State University Sun Devils‘ graduate left wing Lukas Sillinger(61) has steadily put up better numbers with 37 assists and 48 points last season and already has 3 assists in 6 games this year.
He initially did 2 sessions at Bemidji State University Beavers, where he was a point-per-game player as a sophomore.
The 5’11” 170 lbs. forward was born in Regina, SK and did 3 BCHL campaigns before college.
He’s the 24-year old son of Mike Sillinger, veteran of 1049 NHL games.
Sacred Heart University Pioneers‘ graduate net minder Justin Robbins(31) takes 17 games played with a 2.95 GAA and .895 SV% and 6-91 record to a 1st pro contract with Tahoe Knight Monsters for his rookie frame, 2024/2025.
The 5’10” 161 lbs. goalie earlier played 28 games as a junior transfer from Arizona State University Sun Devils.
From Alpine, NJ, the 24-year old did 44 USHL games as part of Chicago Steel, his thus far high water mark.
UMass Minutemen senior center Joshua Nodler(20) will take on a 3rd school, heading to Bowling Green State University Falcons for 2023/2024.
The 5’11” 194 lbs. forward started his college career with 3 seasons at close by Michigan State University Spartans, where he scored his best 7 goals and 8 assists as a junior.
From Oak Park, MI, the Calgary Flames‘ 5th round pick in the 2019 draft (#150 overall) first played the Honeybaked system before ultimately doing 1 USHL season at Fargo Force.
The 22-year old will likely doing ok for his graduate year in the CCHA.
He plays a college tying best 36 games, scoring 5 goals and 10 assists and unsigned by the team that selected him.
An unrestricted free agent, he signs a nice 1-year deal with Toledo Walleye to get started as a rookie, 2024/2025.
Quinnipiac University Bobcats‘ senior center Joey Cipollone(12) helps his team win a 2023 NCAA Division 1 Championship and signs a 1-year AHL deal to join Bridgeport Islanders for 2023/2024.
The 5’11” 185 lbs. forward put together 19 goals and 19 assists 107 games at the ECAC college.
He originally committed to University Of Vermont Catamounts, but left half way through his 2nd year to return to his USHL junior team Tri City Storm.
The 23-year old from Purchase, NY looks to be in a good position to start his pro career.
7 goals and 15 assists in 63 ECHL games and he will re-sign with affiliate Worcester Railers for 2024/2025.
He is actually released, but quickly inks with Atlanta Gladiators and will suit up for them this season.
Anna Maria College Amcats‘ sole graduate student on the 2023/2024 roster is defenseman Cam Tobey(10), as seen in preseason play at the home arena, Horgan.
He had college career highs 8 goals and 10 assists as a senior.
The 6’2″ 210 lbs. blue liner played 1 year junior hockey for Walpole Express, recording 10 goals and 13 assists in 38 EHL games after heading to Westfield State University Owls straight out of strong play at hometown Falmouth High School USHS-MA.
At 24-years old, he’s likely fully settled into his D3 hockey game and we look for him to help the team win.
Visiting him last season as he enters a year of eligibility, which he finishes 23 games with 12 points and a +8 rating, for his next move signs a 1-year deal with Knoxville Ice Bears and in his SPHL debut, he comes away with a goal.
Stonehill College Skyhawks‘ junior defenseman Evan Orr(26) transferred back to where he had success in his 2nd year of junior hockey with Northeast Generals from 2 years at Michigan Tech University Broncos.
That season, the 5’11” 185 scored 5 goals and 22 assists in 25 games with a +11 rating.
From Shelby Township, MI, the 23-year old we think is in his happy place and should do well playing the independent schedule.
Michigan State University Spartans‘ graduate transfer from 4 years at Clarkson University Golden Knights, defenseman Michael Underwood(5) has always been a plus player on the blue line, but his team is off to a bit of an uneven, close game start and he’s for the first time on the minus side.
We do expect that to change.
The 6’2″ 205 lbs. d-man was a +29 skater leaving junior hockey before entering college.
At 24-years old, the Bloomfields Hill, MI native is playing his college hockey close to home.
After finishing up his 5th session in school, he signed an pto with Colorado Eagles and joined them for 3 AHL games with no points.
They liked what they saw of the fairly big d-man and sign him up for his rookie run 2023/2024.
He played only 3 ECHL games last season and signs with Savannah Ghost Pirates for 2024/2025.
Just before the start of the new year, he finds himself traded to Maine Mariners for the new frame.
