Michigan Tech University Huskies‘ graduate defenseman Ryan O’Connell(24) signs a 1st pro deal in France3 with Toulouse Blagnac for 2023/2024.
The 6’2″ 178 lbs. blue liner was originally a Toronto Maple Leafts‘ 7th round pick in the 2017 draft (#203 overall) coming off his 2nd 27 assist campaign at St. Andrew’s College.
He did 1 year of BCHL juniors with Penticton Vees.
His best college season was likely as a senior for Ohio State University Buckeyes, when he had 10 assists and a +12 rating.
The 24-year old from Gloucester, ON is likely to do quite well where he is going as a rookie.
Boston College Eagles‘ graduate defenseman Justin Wells(8) signs a 1st pro hockey deal, sort of close to home North Canton, OH with Iowa Heartlanders for 2022/2023.
Not exactly the biggest scorer, he did notch 2 goals and 7 assists in 31 NCAA Division 1 games with a +22 rating as a senior at Bowling Green University Falcons.
He also didn’t score big in 2 seasons of USHL juniors for Sioux Falls Stampede, but was always a plus player on ice.
The big 6’4″ 200 lbs., 24-year old will definitely give his new club’s blue line some added backbone.
He records 9 assists in 59 ECHL games last season with a -11 rating that needs to be cleaned up.
They see something in the big d-man they like and invite back to continue.
Union College Bobcats‘ senior center Matthew Allen(99) will head for a graduate season to Stonehill College Skyhawks for 2023/2024.
He skated only 11 games last season for 2 assists and twice had 2 goals and 5 assists in a college season.
The 6’2″ 185 lbs. forward is likely to find more room to score with his current college’s upcoming schedule.
From Smithfield, RI, the twice Boston Jr. Bruins 24-year old will likely feel right at home at his new school.
RPI Engineers‘ sophomore left wing Henri Schreifels(20) heads into the transfer portal and comes out for 2023/2024 at Stonehill College Skyhawks.
The 6’1″ 194 lbs. forward has exactly been a stellar scorer with 1 goal last season in 21 games, but we’re thinking his new school’s schedule will likely see that open up for him.
He was a dominant scorer in his 2nd BCHL frame for Victoria Grizzlies, connecting for 24 goals and 21 assists.
We see the 23-year old from Agoura Hills, CA settling in nicely at his new college home.
3rd year left wing Tyson Pelton-Bice(17) re-signs with Idaho Steelheads after exploding his ECHL scoring totals last season with way new bests 19 goals and 27 assists in just 43 games with a +26 rating, then added another 17 points (9, 8) in 20 playoff match ups with a +8.
The 6’2″ 194 lbs. forward from Madison, WI shattered scoring at his high school before committing to 1 season of USHL with Des Moines Buccaneers that was also a big plus to 2 years at Harvard University Crimson.
It took him only a session to blow up scoring at the college level.
Undrafted, he would move on to his junior year at University Of Wisconsin Badgers, where he was well-above a point-per-game player as a senior assistant captain.
Still young at 26-years old, his 1st pair of contracts were with Manitoba Moose and we do see him playing himself up with his numbers moving.
Idaho Steelheads‘ rookie defenseman Willie Knierim(29) returns for his 1st official season after skating 16 games with 3 goals and 4 assists on an ato, following 3 years at Arizona State University Sun Devils, which came after 2 at Miami University (Ohio) Redhawks.
The big 6’4″ 225 lbs. forward split his college time for a season back at the USHL with his team Dubuque Fighting Saints.
He only rolled good college numbers as a junior, scoring 15 goals and 9 assists in 36 NCAA Division 1 games, but with that huge frame out there in front of the net in the pro ranks, he will have chances.
The 24-year old from Chicago, IL likely could play his way up a level with some time and luck.
In 53 ECHL games, he strikes for 17 goals and 12 assists with a +23 rating, then adds another 11 (5, 6) in 20 playoff match ups with a +8 to sign to stay on for more in 2023/2024.
University Of Maine Black Bears‘ senior right wing Adam Dawe(24) will take a year of eligibility to a Hockey East rival University Of Connecticut Huskies.
The 5’8″ 161 lbs. forward had his best scoring year as a sophomore, scoring 9 goals and 11 assists, although in the shortened frame of 2020/2021, he was almost a point-per-game player.
A native of Gander, NL he was recruited early before he popped scoring with Notre Dame Hounds of SJHL, then did a USHL junior year for Sioux Falls Stampede and notched 23 goals.
The 23-year old will likely seeing his best success on what is a much better team.
With only a goal in 16 games for his new college club, he has decided to forego his extra year and signs a 1st pro deal with “hometown” team Newfoundland Growlers for 2023.
7 goals and 2 assists in 21 ECHL games leads to a new deal to stay for 2023/2024.
Clarkson University Golden Knights‘ junior left wing Alexander Campbell(11) takes a college career 10+ assists in each frame with 16 and 14 goals in his last 2 seasons to a senior year of Hockey East with Northeastern University Huskies, 2023/2024.
The 5’10” 176 lbs. forward has 2 solid sessions of junior hockey, 1st posting assists like a maniac in the BCHL, then having a decent outing in the USHL before school.
From Chateauguay, QC, the 22-year should help his new harder competing team win games.
Miami University (Ohio) Redhawks‘ sophomore defenseman Alex Murray(26) will become Niagara University Purple Eagles‘ junior for 2023/2024 through the transfer portal.
He played more games at 19 last season, scoring his 1st college points with 3 assists and a 0 rating.
The 5’11” 185 lbs. blue liner, who did 3 NAHL junior seasons before committing will probably respond well to Atlantic Hockey style.
From Glenview, IL, the 23-year old is likely ready to get started.
University Of Maine Black Bears‘ freshman center Killian Kiecker-Olson(28) gets into the transfer portal and is off to Canisius College Golden Griffins for his sophomore season.
The 6’1″ 195 lbs. forward scored 1 goal and 4 assists in 24 games with a -2 rating.
He played 4 years of junior hockey, 2 very successful NAHL and 2 decent USHL sessions.
From Andover, MN, the 22-year old may adapt his game better to Atlantic Hockey style.
