While there has been a fair bit of signing activity around the NHL today, there have been some smaller moves that have been made as well. Here’s a rundown of those transactions.
- Peterborough of the OHL announced the acquisition of Canucks prospect Connor Lockhart from Erie. The 19-year-old forward was a sixth-round pick by Vancouver back in 2021 (178th overall) after not playing at all in 2020-21 due to the OHL shutting down for the season. He’s coming off a 23-goal and 25-assist campaign with the Otters but will likely need a sizable uptick in production if he wants to have a chance at signing an entry-level deal before the June 1, 2023 deadline.
- Minnesota has added some depth in the lower minors as their ECHL affiliate in Iowa announced the signing of forward C.J. Yakimowicz to a one-year deal. The 26-year-old was a draft pick of St. Louis back in 2014 but didn’t sign with the Blues. After wrapping up his junior career in 2017, Yakimowicz spent the last five years in the Canadian college ranks with Dalhousie.
- Free agent defenseman Teemu Kivihalme has signed a one-year deal with TPS in Finland, per a team release. The 27-year-old spent the past three seasons in Toronto’s farm system, getting into 107 games with the Marlies but while he had a handful of NHL recalls during his time with them, he didn’t see any NHL action. Kivihalme had seven points in 32 AHL games last season.