New Hampshire junior defenseman Blake Kessel, after deciding in May to forego his senior season to play professionally, has signed with the Philadelphia Flyers. Kessel was a sixth-round pick of the New York Islanders in the 2007 National Hockey League entry draft and much like what North Dakota’s Jason Gregoire did in May when he … Read more
Northeastern defenseman Jamie Oleksiak has left the school and signed an Ontario Hockey League contract with the Saginaw Spirit, the Spirit announced Monday. The 6-foot-7, 245-pound Oleksiak, selected in the first round by the Dallas Stars in the 2011 NHL draft last month, finished his freshman year at Northeastern this past spring. “We have been … Read more
Wisconsin forward Craig Smith will forgo his final two years of eligibility to sign with the Nashville Predators, the school announced Thursday. The Predators drafted Smith in the fourth round (98th overall) of the 2009 NHL draft. “We’re excited for Craig,” Wisconsin coach Mike Eaves said in a statement. “The window of opportunity to make … Read more
North Dakota forward Jason Gregoire has signed a contract with the National Hockey League’s Winnipeg Jets. A Winnipeg native, Gregoire elected to forgo his final year of collegiate eligibility in May to pursue his professional career. Gregoire finished his collegiate career with 109 points (57 goals, 52 assists) in 120 career games and his 15 … Read more
After announcing last month that he was leaving Michigan for a contract with the New Jersey Devils, Wolverines’ junior defenseman Brandon Burlon made it official Thursday. Chosen by the Devils in the second round (52nd overall) in the 2008 NHL draft, Burlon played in 116 career games for Michigan, scoring 13 goals and 34 assists … Read more
Minnesota freshman forward Max Gardiner will not be back with the Gophers next fall, choosing to leave the program to play junior hockey in the United States Hockey League with the Dubuque Fighting Saints. Dubuque obtained Gardiner’s rights in this past Monday’s USHL Entry Draft. “We had a good conversation and he was disappointed in … Read more
North Dakota junior forward Jason Gregoire announced Wednesday that he will forgo his senior year of eligibility next season in order to play professionally. Gregoire was a third-round pick of the New York Islanders in the 2007 NHL draft, but will take advantage of a loophole in the NHL’s collective bargaining agreement that allows him … Read more
Wisconsin junior forward Jordy Murray has signed a professional contract with the Rapperswil-Jona Lakers of the Swiss National League A and will not return for his final year of collegiate eligibility with the Badgers. “My three years here with the team and coach (Mike) Eaves have been great,” said Murray in a press release. “I’ve … Read more
While he hasn’t signed on the dotted line just yet, Michigan defenseman Brandon Burlon will forego his senior year with the Wolverines and sign an NHL deal with the New Jersey Devils, according to The Wolverine. “It’s just been something that has been brewing in my head for awhile – it’s time for a change,” … Read more
It’s not finalized yet, but a report in the Wisconsin State Journal has Badgers forward Jordy Murray giving up his senior year to sign a pro contract in Switzerland. “I told the (Wisconsin) coaching staff and my teammates that unless something changes in the next couple of days, I’m leaving,” Murray told the paper. “It’s … Read more
North Dakota junior forward Brett Hextall has signed an entry-level contract with the Phoenix Coyotes and will forgo his senior season with the Fighting Sioux. Phoenix selected Hextall in the sixth round (159th overall) of the 2008 NHL draft. Hextall tallied 13 goals and 16 assists for a career-high 29 points in 39 games last … Read more
The New Jersey Devils have signed Union sophomore goaltender Keith Kinkaid to an entry-level contract. Kinkaid appeared in 38 games this past season, posting a 25-10-3 mark with three shutouts and a 1.99 goals-against average. He helped lead the Dutchmen to their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance, making 26 saves in a 2-0 loss against eventual … Read more
Minnesota-Duluth lost its second player in as many days to the NHL as freshman defenseman Justin Faulk signed with the Carolina Hurricanes Friday. Faulk will immediately join the Hurricanes’ top minor-league affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League, for the Calder Cup playoffs. “Justin is a gifted offensive defenseman who excels on the … Read more
Just days after its first national title, Minnesota-Duluth will look to retain that championship next season without junior forward Mike Connolly, who from a report in the Duluth News Tribune, will sign with the San Jose Sharks. “Any player just wants an opportunity to play, and the coaching staff here gave me a chance. The … Read more
Boston College sophomore defenseman Philip Samuelsson has decided to forego his last two years of eligibility and sign with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Samuelsson, drafted by the Penguins in the second round (61st overall) of the 2009 NHL draft, scored four goals and added 12 assists in 39 games this year. Last season, Samuelsson was part … Read more
According to a report on TSN, Merrimack sophomore forward Stephane Da Costa has signed with the Ottawa Senators, leaving two years on the table at Merrimack. Da Costa inked a two-year free agent deal after posting 90 points (30 goals, 60 assists) in his two years with the Warriors. The Paris, France native led Merrimack in … Read more
Denver sophomore defenseman Matt Donovan has decided to forgo his final two years of eligibility after signing a professional contract Wednesday with the New York Islanders. Donovan will report to the Islanders’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, to play out the remainder of the season. “We wish Matt continued success in professional … Read more
The Chicago Blackhawks announced on Tuesday that the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs have signed Boston College right wing Jimmy Hayes an amateur tryout agreement. Hayes was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second round of the 2008 NHL draft before being traded to Chicago in exchange for a second round pick on June 26, 2010. … Read more
The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute junior goaltender Allen York to a two-year NHL contract. York will be assigned to the Springfield Falcons of the AHL for the remainder of the season. “It is a tremendous opportunity at a life-long dream that I cannot pass up,” said York, a sixth round choice … Read more
The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed Boston College junior forward Cam Atkinson to a two-year entry-level contract. Atkinson registered 31 goals and 21 assists for 52 points in 39 games this past season. He set a career high in goals, which led the nation for the second consecutive season. The 21-year-old finished his career at … Read more