Canisius College Golden Griffins‘ junior portal transfer Danny DiGrande(14) is already sort of doing better than any of his previous two sessions with RPI Engineers.
They didn’t play in 2020/2021.
The 5’10” 181 lbs. forward has two goals to start 2021/2022, and only ever scored 3 goals as a sophomore at his former school.
They did not play last season due to COVID restrictions.
The hard-skating, Macomb, MI native had three decent numbered USHL junior campaigns with 4 different teams, mostly through trades and finally with Green Bay Gamblers, before agreeing to school.
He still has an year to continue improving those stats and it will be interesting to see if Atlantic Hockey was the trick to turn that corner.
Canisius College Golden Griffins‘ graduate defenseman Cory Thomas(37) makes a good decision to enter the portal transfer for his year of eligibility coming in from 4 years at University Of Vermont Catamounts.
The sizably huge 6’5″ 219 lbs. blue liner has never been much of a scorer, but has started 2021/2022 with a goal and an assist in 9 games with a +1 rating, so maybe starting something.
He agreed to his first school after his 2nd season of SJHL, near his hometown St. Brieux, SK, with Flin Flon Bombers.
It will be really interesting to see where the 23-year old, big d-man goes next.
Holy Cross College Crusaders‘ sophomore center Tyler Ghirardosi(39) transferred from 1-year at Quinnipiac University Bobcats with no hockey and is lighting it up.
The solid skating 6’3″ 185 lbs. forward has put up a tidy 3 goals and 4 assists in 9 games to start 2021/2022.
He was a fairly strong scorer in 3 years of juniors with the Trail Smoke Eaters of the BCHL.
If the 22-year old continues on this pace, he’ll definitely get himself noticed for a pro contract in a couple years.
After no hockey in 2020/2021 at his school of 4 years, Dartmouth College Big Green, transfer portal, Bentley University Falcons‘ graduate center Collin Rutherford(19) very likely couldn’t wait to get back into the skates.
The small 5’9″ 165 lbs. forward is off to a bit of a hot start with a pair of goals in 6 games.
He was always good for 10+ points at his first school, but looks to be able to double those numbers this season.
The Tonawanda, NY native spent most of his youth hockey with Buffalo Jr. Sabres doing pretty well before getting drafted to the USHL, where he did best in his 2nd year for Des Moines Buccaneers.
It will be interesting to see where the 23-year old goes next.
Undrafted rookie center Andy Brink(18) signs a 1-year ECHL deal with South Carolina Stingrays for 2021/2022 after taking last season off post graduating from Boston University Terriers after transferring from 4 years at Brown University Bears.
The 6′ 201 lbs., Hamilton, NY native played most of his junior hockey with Junior Bruins, first in the EJHL, then switch leagues for two campaigns, where in the first he helped them win 2014 USPHL Premiere, then went on to detonating the scoresheet with 29 goals and 41 assists in 50 games before heading to college.
It wouldn’t be surprising to see the 27-year old, who didn’t connect much through ECAC or Hockey East play, take scoring up a notch as a pro.
Undrafted rookie goaltender Corbin Kaczperski(33) signs a 1-year ECHL contract with Worcester Railers for 2021/2022 upon completing a transfer portal season at University Of Denver Pioneers, where he went after four years at Yale University Bulldogs, but didn’t play as a freshmen, so was likely given eligibility.
The 6’3″ 194 lbs. net minder was a 1-year junior hockey star with Lone Star Brahmas, posting a 1.98 GAA and .912 SV% in 39 NAHL starts and led to his first college’s discovery.
He will likely serve as back-up in his first year of pro hockey, but no doubt will learn a lot about the game from who he is pair with in central MA.
We fully expect the 25-year old to shine every opportunity he’s given.
Big 6’4″ 214 lbs. net minder Michael Lackey(31) heads from a bit of an off-season with Orlando Solar Bears to a new ECHL 1-year deal with Indy Fuel for 2021/2022.
The former Providence College Friars backstop put up some amazing numbers in his one season after coming over as a portal transfer from Harvard University Crimson.
His 16-12-6 record was decent enough, but a 2.18 GAA and .922 SV% with 2 shutouts are solid.
He was maybe a tiny bit inconsistent coming up through the USNTDP program.
The 24-year old Washington, D.C. native should be able to get right back into it with his new club.
Undrafted rookie right wing Chase Zieky(12) took 2020/2021 off, but gets to it, signing a 1st pro contract with Idaho Steelheads for 2021/2202.
He was an RPI Engineers transfer from 2 trying seasons at Providence College Friars, and almost like magic when he arrived at ECAC, he was able to connect, leaving as a senior with 7 goals and new bests 16 assists for 23 points with a +4 rating.
The 5’10” 187 lbs. forward scored big in his one junior year, mostly skating with Salmon Arm Silverbacks, getting 28 goals and 26 assists in 55 BCHL games.
Not bad for the 25-year old, Avon, CT native, who it would be little surprise to see him connect in the ECHL.
Former teammates: Northeastern University Huskies‘ portal transfer, senior Jakov Novak(10) hits the center dot for the 1st drop of a puck on the 2021/2022 NCAA Division 1 college hockey season vs. Bentley University Falcons‘ graduate student Brendan Hamblet(6).
2-year Holy Cross College Crusaders transfer (from University Of Maine Black Bears), center Jake Pappalardo(37) takes probably his best stats in a severely COVID cut 2020/2021, getting 5 goals and 3 assists in 13 Atlantic Hockey games to a 1-year ECHL deal with Idaho Steelheads.
The 5’10” 185 lbs. forward spent barely any time in juniors after graduating as 2-year captain at Proctor Academy and quickly entered college play.
He was an absolute scoring stud in high school.
The 25-year old, Salem, NH native is being given a tremendous opportunity with a top team in the league.
