Category: Transfers

04Aug

Jay O’Brien (18)

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Boston University Terriers‘ senior center Jay O’Brien(18) leaves college hockey scoring a new best 24 assists and 32 points to sign a 1st AHL pro contract for 2023/2024 with Toronto Marlies.

The 5’11” 185 lbs. forward had 10 goals in 24 games as a junior.

He transferred to the school from a freshman year at Providence College Friars that was maybe a little early for the Hingham, MA native to attend, as he had only a few games of junior experience coming out of 2 years at Thayer Academy USHS-Prep, where he would emerge as a Philadelphia Flyers‘ 1st round pick in the 2018 draft (#19 overall)

They elected to not sign him, potentially due to an injury bug that has seemed to follow him through college hockey, despite scoring pretty effectively in each of those frames.

Next he would leave for a session in the BCHL with Penticton Vees that restored his scoring punch, setting him up to return to school.

No doubt, he will have to fight for room to score where he’s heading, but could very well find some light.

The 23-year old is likely just ready to get started and prove himself at the next level, pro, except suffers yet another unqualified injury and sits the entire frame.

For 2024/2025, Charlotte Checkers take the health gamble.

31Jul

Jesse Lansdell (34)

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University Of Notre Dame Fighting Irish senior left wing Jesse Lansdell(34) will start a graduate year at University Of Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks for 2023/2024.

The 5’11” 187 lbs. forward has been an ok scorer through college thus far and was a bit uneven through 4 seasons of BCHL.

From Surrey, BC, the 24-year old probably won’t find the NCHC any easier to play in.

He records a new college high 12 assists with his new team in 39 games with a +1 rating and takes it to a 1st pro contract with Florida Everblades, where he is connecting decent for a 1st 2 ECHL goals in 6 games, then adding an assist through 5 in the playoffs, so far.

4 assists in 23 playoff games with a +6 rating to a 2024 Kelly Cup Championship and he will return for his official rookie season in 2024/2025.

26Jul

Zach Vinnell (6)

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Undrafted defenseman Zach Vinnell(6) will take his game to Bowling Green University Falcons for his senior year, leaving behind 3 seasons and a college career junior season at Merrimack College Warriors, scoring 4 goals and 12 assists in 35 NCAA Division 1 games.

The 6’1″ 185 lbs. blue liner from Cochrane, AB played 3 years of junior hockey in the close by AJHL.

We think the 24-year old scored himself a nice invite to Edmonton Oilers‘ development camp and will likely see some mature ice time in the CCHA.

Although he only scored 1 goal with his new college team, he did manage a best 19 assists.

He will take his recent fortunes to a 1st pro deal with Indy Fuel to finish out the season.

In 16 games to debut his pro game, he scores 1 goal and 9 assists with a 0 rating, then added 1 assist in 2 playoff matchups.

He’s taking his game elsewhere for 2023/2024, as he signs on to strengthen the blue line for 1-year with Glasgow Clan of the EIHL.

After 15 games, 1 goal 4 assists, he seemingly leaves and signs with Sheffield Steelers, who seem very happy to have him in their lineup.

He would do pretty well with 1 goal and 4 assists through 15 games with a +12 rating.

Something isn’t gelling on ice though and the 26-year old decides to retire and as soon as 2024/2025 will take up ranks as an assistant coach with rivals, Coventry Blaze.

20Jul

Todd Burgess (48)

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Rookie center Todd Burgess(48) signs his first pro contract with Manitoba Moose for 2021/2022.

The big 6’2″ 195 lbs. power forward will likely step right into his game when he gets to the AHL.

He graduated from Minnesota State University (Mankato) Mavericks after doing 4 years at RPI Engineers, connecting for 27 goals and 35 assists in 127 NCAA Division 1 games.

That was nothing compared to what the 25-year old, Phoenix, AZ native did in his last season of juniors for Fairbanks Ice Dogs, wracking up 95 points (38-57) in 60 NAHL games with a +25 ratings, then added another 5 goals and 9 assists in 12 playoff contests.

This output got him on the radar of Ottawa Senators, who drafted him in the 4th round of 2016 (#103 overall) but failed to get him under contract.

We think this could just be the start.

He maybe rounded out last season with some games down with Newfoundland Growlers, where he was very close to being a point-per-game player, but did also nab 7 goals and 6 assists as a rookie.

The big man stays in the league, but moves to a divisional foe for 2022/2023, Milwaukee Admirals.

Mostly reassigned to play with the not so good ECHL affiliate Norfolk Admirals, he still busts out some numbers scoring.

He next looks at something a bit different to skate and signs in Slovak Extraliga with HK Spisska Nova Ves and ran up the scoresheet big with 19 goals and 18 assists in 45 games with a +13 rating.

Not sure why is not continuing, unless he eyes something better by heading to HockeyAllsvenskan for 2024/2025, agreeing to terms with Mora IK and we suspect he will do exceedingly well again.

18Jul

Brandon Kruse (78)

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Vegas Golden Knights‘ 5th round pick in the 2018 draft (#135 overall), left wing Brandon Kruse(78) has taken up residence on a pto with their affiliate Henderson Silver Knights after graduating a 5th year at Boston College Eagles.

He has yet to sign his entry level deal, but is likely making a bit of an argument with an assist in his 2nd AHL game.

The small 5’9″ 158 lbs. forward originally did 4 years at Bowling Green State University Falcons and was always good for 20+ assists, 31 as a sophomore.

He only did a single NAHL season in juniors before heading to school.

The 23-year old from Saline, MI definitely has the skills to gain notice.

For 2022/2023, he scores a new contract with Toronto Marlies.

He plays all of his games with affiliate Newfoundland Growlers, scoring 7 goals and 37 assists with a +8 rating through 69 games.

For 2023/2024, he signs with Toledo Walleye and should find himself a ton of success in the ECHL.

As predicted, he finds all kinds of success with his new team, scoring 18 goals, 36 assists and a +23 rating through 70 games, then another 11 points in 14 playoff matchups.

Well, he’s a fish now and will be in a Walleye uniform 2024/2025.

17Jul

Mike Gelatt (27)

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University Of Wisconsin-River Falls Falcons‘ graduate right wing Mike Gelatt(27) wastes little time signing a pto with Peoria Rivermen to get some pro playing time experience in.

The 6’3″ 205 lbs. forward was good last season, but maybe not quite what he was able to put together as a senior for Skidmore College Thoroughbreds, when he got 11 goals and 12 assists in 25 games before getting eliminated in  the NEHC Tournament Final.

He has a 1st SPHL goal in his 6th sighting and 2 assists in 7 total matchups thus far.

The 25-year old from Middletown, NJ could easily play himself up a level.

He comes away with 11 goals and 16 assists in 34 games with a +14 rating, then adds 6 points in 7 playoff matchups.

For 2024/2025, he receives a 2-way ECHL contract with the new Bloomington Bison.

16Jul

Brad Arvanitis (32)

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Undrafted, graduate goaltender Brad Arvanitis(32) takes a hot finish with D3 Babson College Beavers to a 1st pro contract with the very playoff ready Rapid City Rush.

In his ECHL debut, he scored a 5-1 victory.

The 6’2″ 180 lbs. net minder posted an 11-4-2 record with a 2.52 GA and .918 SV% in his final frame.

He’s definitely had an interesting little journey, first tending cage for EHLP team, Walpole Express before moving up to an NAHL season for Coulee Region Chill before heading to 2 seasons of limited use with UMass Minutemen.

The 24-year old will probably be able to excel in the league if he looks to stick around.

He only started one game his rookie frame before being dealt to Tulsa Oilers, where he played in 2 before being released and picked up by Pensacola Ice Flyers, which he stitched together an admirable 9-6-2 mark with a 2.71 GAA and .919 SV% in 20 SPHL games.

For 2023/2024, he picks up a deal with Maine Mariners, who likely saw him play in college some.

He runs an impressive regular season record of 20-10-1, but in the playoffs was stellar with a 1.69 GAA and .939 SV% to earn himself another contract to return to Maine.

16Jul

Ludvig Persson (32)

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University Of North Dakota Fighting Hawks‘ Swedish-born senior goaltender Ludvig Persson(32) signs with Wheeling Nailers and we will see if he figures in any ECHL playoff action.

The 6′ 181 lbs. net minder transferred from 3 years at Miami University (Ohio) Redhawks, where it couldn’t have been too easy.

He actually played 11 pro games in HockeyEttan before committing to the NAHL for a season of junior hockey that was stellar with Lone Star Brahmas before hitting college.

It will be interesting to see where the 24-year old decides to go.

He plays no games and signs for 2024/2025 with Brynas IF of the SHL.

13Jul

Ryan Brushett (9)

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RPI Engineers‘ graduate center Ryan Brushett(9) will definitely flirting with college career highs in all categories with 5 goals and 10 assists in 23 games, looking for 8 and 16 with 11 left.

The 6′ 185 lbs. forward has twice transferred, 1st appearing at University Of Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks for 2 frames, before heading to UMASS Lowell Riverhawks in 2 more successful sessions.

For juniors, he had 1 unsuccessful outing in the USHL before heading north closer to home to the BCHL, where in his final of 3 years had the most goals at 41 before heading to school.

The 25-year old from Verdun, QC plays super hard out there.

Finishing up, playing a college best 37 games, he signs a 1st pro contract for 2024/2025 with the not so distant from his house club, Trois-Rivieres Lions that should equal all kinds of good hockey things.

08Jul

Liam Izyk (26)

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Boston College Eagles‘ senior center Liam Izyk(26) enters the transfer portal and will lace up the skates in 2023/2024 for a graduate frame at Sacred Heart University Pioneers.

The Blackie, AB native played 3 years in the AJHL for Fort McMurray Oil Barons, scoring quite nicely in each frame before committing to his 1st school, University Of Alabama-Huntsville Chargers.

At 6’1″ 187 lbs., the 24-year old scored best as a freshman, but we’re thinking Atlantic Hockey has more room for him to find the net.

He scores a new by short best 4 goals and 4 assists and will take that to a 1st pro deal with RoKi of Mestis.