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Sergey Zborovskiy Clears Unconditional Waivers

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Wednesday: Zborovskiy has cleared waivers and will likely see his contract terminated.

Tuesday: The New York Rangers have placed Sergey Zborovskiy on unconditional waivers for the purpose of mutually terminating his contract. Zborovskiy, a third-round pick by the Rangers in 2015, signed his entry-level contract in the summer of 2016 but spent most of this season in the ECHL. After clearing waivers he will now be able to return to Russia and join the KHL, though he would also technically become an unrestricted free agent eligible to sign with any NHL club.

Zborovskiy, 21, is a big, physical defenseman who put up some fine point totals while in the WHL playing for the Regina Pats, but was always a long shot for the NHL. His skating stride needed work when the Rangers selected him, and apparently hasn’t come far enough for the team to fight to keep him in the organization. This doesn’t necessarily preclude a reunion at some point down the road, but allowing him to go home to compete for minutes in the KHL could be best for his development.

This isn’t the first Russian defenseman the Rangers have lost in this way, after allowing Alexei Bereglazov out of his contract earlier this spring. It’s a tough result for a third-round pick, especially one that was made just two years ago. We’ll see if this affects the way New York targets Russian players in the draft moving forward.

Ryane Clowe Hired As ECHL Head Coach

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The New Jersey Devils have finally rid themselves of Ryane Clowe’s contract, but they’ll now lose any experience and guidance that he could bring to the team. Clowe had been operating as an assistant coach while his contract was put on long-term injured reserve, but is now headed back to Newfoundland as the first head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs new ECHL affiliate. Clowe will take over as head coach of the Newfoundland Growlers, and really begin the second part of his hockey career.

Clowe, 35, saw his career ended abruptly by concussions, as he was advised by doctors in 2015 not to continue playing. At that point, he was in the middle of a five-year, $24.25MM contract he signed with the Devils in 2013, and would have to wait out the rest of it on the sidelines. The big, bruising winger had been a force in the NHL, scoring 45 or more points four times and collecting 618 penalty minutes in just 491 games. Though his signature was his physical play, his offensive game was underrated at times and he’ll try to pass on that knowledge to the next wave of Maple Leafs prospects.

Toronto has built a three-tiered development system with their ECHL club, using it to work with players who may have a glaring weakness or need to improve their physical fitness. Clowe will try to help raw players get off on the right foot in their professional careers, and maybe one day even make it to the NHL.

Toronto Maple Leafs Announce Affiliation With Newfoundland Growlers

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The Newfoundland Growlers are one of the ECHL’s newest teams, and they now officially have an NHL affiliation. The Toronto Maple Leafs announced today that they have agreed to an affiliation with the Growlers that will begin in 2018-19, and will continue the three-tiered development system they previously had with the Orlando Solar Bears.

Toronto has been a leader over the last few years in really using their ECHL roster to its full player development potential. For a long time the lower minor league has been seen as nothing but a staging ground for players who would never see the NHL, but it’s now being used as an opportunity for raw prospects to work on individual skills or goaltenders to round out their games by seeing a lot of game action. The Maple Leafs have used it for players like Martins Dzierkals, Mason Marchment and Garret Sparks, and will continue to do so to try and supplement their AHL and NHL rosters with highly regarded talent.

Now back in Canada, the affiliation will return to St. John’s where the Maple Leafs previously held their AHL team. Speaking of the commitment they’ve made to the community and team, new GM Kyle Dubas released this statement:

We are excited to begin our relationship with the Newfoundland Growlers as our newest ECHL affiliate. This is an important investment for our hockey club as we remain committed to giving our players the best resources possible to ensure their development and professional success. To now have our ECHL affiliate in St. John’s, Newfoundland, a town and province which has historically meant a lot to the Maple Leafs, is a truly special opportunity.

The Growlers will debut in 2018-19 and try to take home a Kelly Cup, something that should be up for grabs now that the Colorado Eagles are advancing to the AHL. The Eagles have won back-to-back championships but will become the primary AHL affiliate for the Colorado Avalanche next season.

Minor Notes: DiDomenico, Redmond, Crunch

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After fighting his way back to the NHL for 27 contests over the last two seasons, Chris DiDomenico has decided to return to Switzerland. The Rockford IceHogs announced today that DiDomenico had officially signed with the SCL Tigers of the NLA, leaving the minor league club after an outstanding playoff run. DiDomenico had made it back to the NHL with the Ottawa Senators before being traded to Chicago earlier this year. He never saw any time with the Blackhawks down the stretch, but did record 41 points in 35 games for the IceHogs including both regular season and playoff games.

It’s clear that DiDomenico would rather play in Europe than the minor leagues, as he already left back in 2012. Playing in Italy and Switzerland, DiDomenico dominated the lower leagues before recording 76 points in 94 games in the NLA. Once a sixth-round pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs, one would have to think this is close to the end of the NHL dream for the 29-year old forward.

  • On the other hand, the Rochester Americans have signed defenseman Zach Redmond to a two-year AHL contract. That’s a big deal for a Buffalo Sabres franchise that is trying to improve the success of their minor league system without hamstringing the NHL club. Redmond is a veteran NHL player with 133 games under his belt, but won’t even take a contract spot away from the Sabres while he’s playing on this deal. The 29-year old must have either liked how the organization treated him after coming over from Montreal, or not believed that he could get a two-way contract anywhere else—or perhaps, both. Redmond recorded 47 points in 66 games for the Americans last season, and could easily be included in their leadership group this year.
  • The Syracuse Crunch have also locked up a pair of players on AHL contracts, signing forwards Troy Bourke and Brady Brassart to one-year deals. Bourke was actually a third-round pick of the Colorado Avalanche in 2012, but hasn’t been able to find his footing in the minor leagues and spent most of last season in the ECHL. He dominated that league though, and along with Brassart will try to make the jump to the AHL on a more full-time basis in 2018-19.

Flames Extend ECHL Affiliation With Kansas City

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The Kansas City Mavericks announced that they have extended their affiliation with the Calgary Flames and the Stockton Heat of the AHL through the 2018-19 season.  This will be the Mavericks’ fifth season in the ECHL and their second with Calgary as an affiliate.  Mavericks President and GM Brent Thiessen issued the following statement:

“We’re thrilled to continue building our relationship with the Flames and Heat.  Partnering with the Flames’ organization allows us to maintain our momentum within the affiliation and work with a top-notch franchise with a build-from-the-bottom philosophy. The Mavericks and I look forward to year two of what we believe will be one of the premier partnerships in all of professional hockey.”

Not all NHL teams actively utilize their ECHL affiliates but that wasn’t the case in for Calgary as they had six different players suit up in both the AHL and ECHL in 2017-18 headlined by goaltending prospects Tyler Parsons and Mason MacDonald.  With one of David Rittich or Jon Gillies expected to be back in the AHL next season, at least one of those two netminders is likely earmarked to spend a lot of time in Kansas City again in 2018-19.

Golden Knights Ink Three To Entry-Level Contracts

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After re-signing two players yesterday, the Vegas Golden Knights have added three more names to their future plans. The team announced this evening that they have come to terms on entry-level contracts with draft picks Jake Leschyshyn and Ben Jones and free agent Gage Quinney. Leschyshyn and Jones signed three-year deals, while Quinney signed a two-year deal. Financial terms have not yet been disclosed.

Leschyshyn is likely the most familiar name of the group, both due to his actual name and his draft slot. The 19-year-old center was selected in the second round of the draft last year at #62 overall, though he was actually the Knights’ fifth pick of the draft and third center. Leschyshyn plays for the Memorial Cup host Regina Pats of the WHL and scored five points in seven WHL playoff games and added a goal in the Cup tournament. During the regular season, his 40 points in 64 games was somewhat underwhelming on a talented Pats team, but there is still a lot to like about the well-rounded game of the North Carolina native.

If Vegas fans are looking for a prospect with more exciting recent results, look no further than Jones. The Knights took a flier on the raw forward in the seventh round of the draft and it paid off for them. The 19-year-old center scored 79 points in 68 games this season with the OHL’s Niagara Ice Dogs, which was good enough for third on the team in scoring. Jones then took his game to the next level in the playoffs, registering a team-best 12 points in ten games. Jones has take a major step as and NHL prospect and is yet another promising prospect for the Knights.

Quinney appears to be a sentimental pick up more than anything. The Las Vegas native grew up playing youth hockey in the area and is the son of former NHLer and Las Vegas Thunder minor leaguer Ken Quinney. Quinney played four seasons in the WHL before turning pro, during which he only put up modest offensive totals. He played all of last season in the ECHL before landing a starting role with the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins this year. In both of his pro campaigns, Quinney has continued to be only a moderate offensive producer, but appears to be rounding out his game. The ceiling may not be high for the 22-year-old forward, but he is likely to be a fan-favorite prospect immediately.

St. Louis Blues, New York Islanders Extend Partnership With ECHL Affiliates

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The St. Louis Blues have announced a one-year extension to their affiliation with the ECHL’s Tulsa Oilers. The two organizations worked without the benefit of an AHL partner last season, something that will be remedied this year with the agreement between St. Louis and the San Antonio Rampage for the 2018-19 season and beyond.  Oilers’ Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Rob Murray spoke highly of his arrangement with St. Louis:

Having been affiliated with the Blues over the years in both Alaska and Tulsa, I have become very familiar and comfortable with the management team in St. Louis. The partnership got off to a great start last season, as the players we received from St. Louis were key to our success. We’re excited to continue into next season, especially as the Blues begin their AHL affiliation in San Antonio.

Similarly, the New York Islanders have announced an extension with the Worcester Railers through the 2019-20 season. The Railers played their first season in the ECHL last year, going 37-27-8 while qualifying for the Kelly Cup playoffs. Unfortunately knocked out by the Adirondack Thunder in the first round, Worcester will come back with more Islanders prospects next year and try to continue the good start to their franchise.

ECHL Announces Ryan Crelin As Next Commissioner

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The ECHL has announced that Ryan Crelin will succeed Brian McKenna as the league’s next commissioner. Crelin has been with the league since 2005, most recently as the Chief Operating Officer. Ray Harris, the Chariman of the ECHL Board of Governors, had this to say about Crelin’s appointment:

I am extremely happy to welcome Ryan as the Commissioner of the ECHL. It has been a distinct pleasure to work with Ryan for the past 13 years and witness his growth within our organization first hand. His effort and devotion to our League is inspiring and I am confident that he will continue the success and growth of the ECHL.

Beginning in 1988-89, the ECHL has developed into a third tier of development for many organizations around the NHL. Organizations like Toronto and Pittsburgh have invested plenty of resources into their respective teams, using them as a place to stash goaltending prospects and those who have certain weaknesses in their game. When the 2017-18 season began in the NHL, 66 players on opening night rosters had previously spent time in the ECHL, including Tom Kuhnhackl, Francois Beauchemin, Micheal Ferland, Jonathan Quick and Mike Hoffman.

Even the Stanley Cup final holds former ECHL players, including Ryan Reaves, Braden Holtby and Jay Beagle. Deryk Engelland, who has become the heart and soul of a Vegas Golden Knights team because of his connection with the community, formed that bond with the city of Las Vegas while playing for the Las Vegas Wranglers in the early part of his career. While the league isn’t known for producing high end talent, they do have an impact on teams around the league and will only continue to do so as organizations move to more thorough development models.

This announcement comes after Laurence Gilman was hired by the Toronto Maple Leafs, despite being believed by many to be a front-runner for the ECHL commissioner job. Gilman will instead join the Maple Leafs as an assistant GM, and help run the Toronto Marlies. His decision is Crelin’s gain, as the former COO will be promoted after just one year in his previous role.

New Jersey Devils Extend ECHL Affiliation With Adirondack Thunder

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The New Jersey Devils will not be looking for a new ECHL affiliate next season, as the team announced a one-year extension to their agreement with the Adirondack Thunder. The two franchises will be partnered with the Binghamton Devils to create a three-tiered organization for player development.

The Thunder had a champion last season in Ken Appleby, the 23-year old goaltender who spent time in the ECHL, AHL and NHL. Appleby actually recorded a .945 save percentage in his three NHL appearances, a shining achievement for a player who has bounced around in his professional career. The ECHL is an especially perfect place for teams to develop goaltenders, as there often isn’t enough minutes to go around at the AHL level. Appleby went undrafted out of the OHL, but has seemed to find his game in the low-pressure situation of the ECHL and is a legitimate goaltending prospect now (if perhaps not as a starting goaltender in the NHL).

Other teams around the league are beginning to realize the value of their ECHL organizations, and over the coming years we’re sure to see more and more interesting NHL prospects spend time in the low minors. For those players who may need work on specific areas of their game, or don’t have the size or strength to compete yet in the AHL, Adirondack and the rest of the ECHL are an easy place to stay in your organization’s view, without being overwhelmed.

Edmonton Oilers Extend ECHL Affiliation

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The Wichita Thunder have announced that they’ve extended their affiliation with the Edmonton Oilers and Bakersfield Condors for the 2018-19 season. Wichita is part of the ECHL, where more and more teams are building a legitimate tier of player development. The Thunder are coming off their first playoff appearance since joining the ECHL in 2014.

As sports science and analytics become more ingrained in organizations around the league, teams find themselves with a need for player development past just the AHL. Franchises like Toronto and Pittsburgh have built a tiered model that allows players who may have previously been considered too raw to be introduced to professional hockey a chance to work on their weaknesses in a lower risk situation. Players like Tom Kuhnhackl, Josh Archibald and Mike Condon have all spent time with the Wheeling Nailers (Pittsburgh) while Garret Sparks, Christopher Gibson and Darcy Kuemper have all spent time with the Orlando Solar Bears (Toronto, Minnesota).

That model is spreading, and the Oilers could try to take advantage of it with their Wichita affiliation. Goaltending prospect Dylan Wells was able to get into a game after his junior season ended, and he could start his professional career there next season. That position in particular is one that can be used heavily, as there are only so many starts to go around at the AHL level.

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