After winning 2022 national championship, Denver’s Brink gives up senior season, signs NHL contract with Philadelphia

The Philadelphia Flyers announced Sunday the NHL team has signed Denver junior forward Bobby Brink to a three-year, entry-level contract. Brink will forgo his senior season with the Pioneers. “We’re very excited to have Bobby under contract after an outstanding career in college hockey that concluded with a national championship,” said Flyers GM Chuck Fletcher … Read more

Michigan’s Beniers signs NHL deal with Kraken, forgoes junior, senior seasons with Wolverines

Michigan sophomore forward Matty Beniers has signed his three-year, entry-level contract with the NHL’s Seattle Kraken. Beniers will forgo his junior and senior seasons with the Wolverines. “It’s truly an honor to join the Kraken organization, officially, and I can’t wait to get started,” said Beniers in a statement. “Although we fell short of our … Read more

Merkulov leaves Ohio State after productive freshman year, signs NHL contract with Bruins

Ohio State freshman forward Georgii Merkulov has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the NHL’s Boston Bruins. Merkulov, who gives up his remaining NCAA eligibility, will report to the AHL’s Providence Bruins on an amateur tryout for the remainder of the 2021-22 AHL season. The native of Ryazan, Russia, lead NCAA freshmen with 20 goals … Read more

Top overall NHL pick from 2021, Power leaves Michigan after two seasons, inks contract with Sabres

The Buffalo Sabres have signed Michigan sophomore defenseman Owen Power, the No. 1 overall selection in the 2021 NHL Draft, to a three-year, entry-level contract. In a stellar 59-game career with the Wolverines, Power tallied six goals and 42 assists for 48 points along with a plus-46 rating. This season, Power was named a first-team … Read more

Notre Dame’s Ellis signs NHL deal with Toronto, gives up senior year with Fighting Irish

Notre Dame junior forward Max Ellis has signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs. Ellis will join the AHL’s Toronto Marlies on a professional tryout for the remainder of the 2021-22 regular season and the Calder Cup playoffs before his contract begins with the 2022-23 season. In signing with the Maple … Read more

After two seasons with Michigan, Johnson leaves Wolverines, inks NHL contract with Blue Jackets

The Columbus Blue Jackets announced Friday that the NHL club has signed Michigan sophomore forward Kent Johnson to a three-year, entry level contract beginning this season. Johnson, who was selected by the Blue Jackets in the first round (fifth overall) of the 2021 NHL Draft, is expected to join the Blue Jackets on Monday. He’ll … Read more

Senden, Hain returning to North Dakota for fifth seasons of college hockey eligibility in 2022-23

North Dakota forwards Mark Senden and Gavin Hain have announced that they will return for the 2022-23 season, exercising the extra year of eligibility granted to them due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Senden served as the team captain this past season, recording a career-high 17 points in 34 games. He was awarded the NCHC sportsmanship … Read more

UMass blueliner Farmer transferring to North Dakota for fifth season of eligibility in 2022-23

North Dakota announced Wednesday the addition of defenseman Ty Farmer to the Fighting Hawks for the 2022-23 season. Farmer joins the Fighting Hawks after spending four seasons at Massachusetts and will have one season of eligibility remaining. “We are excited to welcome Ty to the North Dakota family,” said North Dakota coach Brad Berry in … Read more

Concordia (Minn.) names NA3HL coach, Hamline alum Olimb new bench boss for Cobbers’ men’s college hockey team

Concordia (Minn.) announced Monday that Kirk Olimb has been named the new head coach for the Concordia men’s hockey program. Olimb, who has been head coach and general manager of the NA3HL’s Willmar Warhawks, becomes the sixth head coach in the Cobbers program since the 1967-68 season. “Kirk’s success as a coach, player and student-athlete … Read more

Abate leaves Omaha after junior season, signs AHL contract with Providence for 2022-23 season

Omaha junior forward Joey Abate has signed with the AHL’s Providence Bruins for the 2022-23 season. Abate, a native of Bloomingdale, Ill., will not return for his senior season with the Mavericks. Recording two goals and three assists in 32 games during his junior season, Abate had nine points (one goal and eight assists) as … Read more

Western Michigan goalie Bussi forgoes senior season with Broncos, signs NHL deal with Bruins

The Boston Bruins announced Thursday that the team has signed Western Michigan junior goaltender Brandon Bussi to a one-year, entry-level contract for the 2022-23 season. Bussi will give up his senior season with the Broncos in agreeing to the NHL contract. The Sound Beach, N.Y., native will report to the AHL’s Providence Bruins for the … Read more

After four seasons, one NCAA tournament appearance, O’Connell relieved of men’s hockey coaching duties at Boston University

Boston University announced Wednesday that Albie O’Connell will not return as head coach of the Terriers’ men’s hockey program. In four seasons, O’Connell compiled a 58-49-16 record and led the Terriers to one NCAA tournament appearance. The 2021-22 season came to an end with a loss in the Hockey East quarterfinals as BU missed out … Read more

Western Michigan’s Glover forgoes last two seasons with Broncos, signs NHL contract with Penguins

The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed Western Michigan sophomore forward Ty Glover to a three-year, entry-level contract. In signing the NHL deal, Glover will give up his junior and senior seasons with the Broncos. Glover will report to the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on an amateur tryout contract. The London, Ont., native played 39 games this season, … Read more

After three seasons on Western Michigan back end, Attard signs NHL contract with Philadelphia

Western Michigan junior defenseman has signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Philadelphia Flyers that will begin immediately. He will forgo his senior year with the Broncos. Attard, a third-round draft pick (72nd overall) of the Flyers in the 2019 NHL Draft, leaves the Broncos after three seasons with 72 career points on 27 goals … Read more

Oilers ink Minnesota Duluth goalie Fanti, who leaves Bulldogs after junior campaign for NHL contract

The Edmonton Oilers have signed Minnesota Duluth junior goaltender Ryan Fanti to a two-year contract beginning with the 2022-23 season. Fanti, who will forgo his senior year with the Bulldogs, will join the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors on an amateur tryout contract for the remainder of the 2021-22 campaign. Recently completing his second full season with … Read more

Dartmouth goalie Stevenson signs NHL deal with Capitals, forgoes junior, senior seasons with Big Green

The Washington Capitals announced Monday the signing of Dartmouth sophomore goaltender Clay Stevenson. In signing the NHL contract, Stevenson will forgo his remaining NCAA eligibility. “We want to congratulate Clay on signing with the Washington Capitals,” said Dartmouth coach Reid Cashman in a statement. “This is a great day for both Clay and Dartmouth hockey. … Read more

Lopina gives up junior, senior seasons at UMass, inks NHL contract with Ducks

Massachusetts sophomore forward Josh Lopina has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Anaheim Ducks. Lopina will give up his junior and senior seasons with UMass. In two seasons with the Minutemen, Lopina helped UMass to back-to-back Hockey East tournament titles and NCAA berths and a national championship in 2020-21. The Minooka, Ill., native, who … Read more

UMass blueliner Kessel leaves Minutemen after junior season, inks NHL deal with St. Louis

Massachusetts junior defenseman Matt Kessel has signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the St. Louis Blues. Kessel will forgo his senior year with UMass. Kessel, a two-time Hockey East all-star and 2021-22 assistant captain, helped the Minutemen to the 2020-21 national championship and back-to-back Hockey East tournament titles (2021 and 2022). The Bloomfield Hills, Mich., … Read more

North Dakota defenseman Sanderson signs NHL contract with Senators, forgoes last two seasons of NCAA eligibility

The Ottawa Senators announced Sunday that the team has signed North Dakota sophomore defenseman Jake Sanderson to a three-year, entry-level contract, effective immediately. In signing with the NHL club, Sanderson gives up his last two years of NCAA eligibility. A native of Whitefish, Mont., Sanderson recently completed his second season with the Fighting Hawks, leading … Read more