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College Notes: UAH, LIU, Holloway

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The University of Alabama Huntsville recently saved their hockey program with a $500,000 fundraising campaign after it has been cancelled the week prior. However, but the Chargers will not be complete when they return to action. Head coach Mike Corbett has resigned from his position with the team, as first reported by WAFF in Alabama. He was not alone either, as assistant Gavin Morgan will also depart. Remaining assistant Lance West has been named acting head coach for the time being. The staff has clearly opted to go out on their own terms, as the school has been transparent that they have not committed to the program beyond next season. And with the Chargers playing in their final WCHA season next year before becoming independent if they cannot find a new home, the future is certainly in doubt. Corbett and company went 2-26-2 this season, so there is only room to improve in 2020-21. However, Alabama Huntsville is now left scrambling to rebuild their staff before the season is scheduled to begin in October.

  • The newest team to college hockey is Long Island University-Brooklyn. The school surprised many when it announced in April that it would start a men’s program that would compete right away in 2020-21. LIU has been busy lately, hiring inaugural head coach Brett Riley and adding recruits left and right. However, few expect the Sharks to be competitive right away next season. Yet, Mark Divver reports that the program is putting together a strong schedule for their first season. While LIU will be an independent in their inaugural campaign and likely won’t be able to schedule a full Division I slate of games, Divver notes that the team is expected to play their first game against UMass Lowell and square off with Boston College, Boston University, and Wisconsin as well.
  • Speaking of Wisconsin, while almost every member of the 2020 NHL Draft class was negatively impacted by the shortened season, Badgers freshman Dylan Holloway didn’t lose out on any games. His underperforming squad had already been eliminated from the Big Ten Tournament when the college schedule was canceled and were not a candidate to make the NCAA Tournament. Holloway’s season was over and scouts had all the possible data on him, unlike most of his peers. However, Holloway’s season disappointed as his 17 points was just tied for sixth among Wisconsin forwards. Once considered a top-ten pick by many, The Athletic’s draft expert Scott Wheeler ranked Holloway at No. 17 in his final 2020 list. Fortunately for frustrated Badgers fans, Wheeler still believes Holloway is a great talent and should be in line for a breakout next season. He will also undoubtedly be the first college player selected. A top-ten pick? Unlikely.

Snapshots: Ozhiganov, Veilleux, Saganiuk

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Standout KHL defenseman Igor Ozhiganov has secured some consistency in his career, at least for a little while. Ozhiganov initially left the KHL and CSKA Moscow after eight years following the 2017-18 season to sign in the NHL with the Toronto Maple Leafs. After a good but not great debut season with Toronto, Ozhiganov opted to return home to Russia, signing with Ak Bars Kazan. However, Kazan traded the top defender for fellow NHL vet Viktor Tikhonov early in the season. Ozhiganov headed to SKA St. Petersburg, where he enjoyed one of the best stretches of his KHL career with 12 points in 35 games. Elite blue liners are often hard to come by in the KHL and SKA has decided not to let Ozhiganov go. The club has announced a new two-year extension that will keep Ozhiganov in St. Petersburg until the 2022 off-season. At that time, Ozhiganov will still be just 29 years old, but an NHL comeback seems unlikely. However, if he continues to perform at a high level with one of the top clubs in the KHL, that could certainly change.

  • The AHL’s Laval Rocket got lucky this season when a midseason tryout turned into one of their more productive players. Quebec native Yannick Veilleux, who had previously played with Laval in 2017-18, re-joined the club mid-year after playing in the ECHL and proceeded to record 12 goals and 20 points in 26 games. It was the 27-year-old forward’s best AHL season by far and has now earned him a second chance. The Rocket have announced a one-year, one-way extension for Veilleux, who finished second only to Riley Barber in per-game scoring for Laval this season. The team hopes he can replicate that success next year, while Veilluex himself hopes another strong season could lead to an NHL contract.
  • The next stage of 17-year-old USNTDP forward Colby Saganiuk’s developmental path will still take place in Pennsylvania, but now with a different team. Saganiuk, who calls Pittsburgh home, was drafted by the nearby Erie Otters last year but was also being pursued by Penn State University as well. Earlier this season, Saganiuk made the decision to join the NCAA rather than the OHL when he committed to Penn State. However, he has now reversed that decision. The Otters have announced that Saganiuk has signed his OHL contract and will join the club next season. While it is possible for a college player to leave for the Canadian juniors, the opposite is not allowed, meaning Saganiuk has given up the option of the NCAA route. This change of decision is likely tied to Saganiuk’s poor 2019-20 season. Considered one of the top players on the USNTDP U-17 squad, Saganiuk instead saw limited action and struggled to produce. Rather than stick with the developmental program for another year before joining the Nittany Lions, it seems Saganiuk has opted for a change of scenery sooner rather than later by committing to Erie. Whether he is able to bounce back next season and revive his draft stock remains to be seen, but Saganiuk will be an interesting player to watch in the junior ranks next season.

Snapshots: Antipin, KHL Rumors, Bakersfield, Tugnutt

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Just one day after his KHL contract was terminated, former Buffalo Sabres defenseman Victor Antipin has quickly found a new team. KHL powerhouse SKA St. Petersburg has announced that they have signed Antipin to a two-year contract. The 27-year-old is joining just his second KHL club and third pro club ever, as Antipin grew up in the development system of Metallurg Magnitogorsk and played for their KHL team on either side of his 2017-18 season with the Sabres. Antipin heads to SKA with 144 points in 381 career KHL games, not to mention ten points in 47 NHL games. The puck-moving defenseman will still be on the right side of 30 when his new contract expires, so a return to North America in the future cannot be ruled out.

  • Two other notable names are expected be on the move in Europe. Johan Svensson of the Kvalls Posten reports that Swedish winger Pontus Aberg is headed back overseas for the first time since 2013-14. The 26-year-old forward spent this season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, his fifth NHL franchise in six years, but played in only five games at the top level. Aberg has had a difficult time carving out a full-time role in any of his NHL stops, so he is expected to move on. Svensson reports that Aberg is currently negotiating with the KHL’s Traktor Chelyabinsk and is likely to end up in the KHL one way or another. Meanwhile, fellow Swede Oscar Lindberg is nearing an agreement with the KHL’s Dynamo Moscow, reports Russian source Championat. Lindberg surprisingly was unable to find an NHL home this past off-season and signed with EV Zug of the Swiss NLA. The 28-year-old had a strong season is Switzerland and is now upgrading to Europe’s top league. Lindberg, who has five full NHL seasons to his credit, has been a useful player throughout his pro career and it is no wonder that he is in demand for one of the KHL’s top teams.
  • The AHL’s Bakersfield Condors have made an intriguing signing, adding collegiate defenseman Yanni Kaldis on a two-year deal. Kaldis, 24, was the captain of the Cornell Big Red this season, one of the top teams in the NCAA. A productive two-way defenseman in college, Kaldis has proven that he has pro chops and could play a major role for the Condors. Bakersfield also extended forward Jakob Stukel, a former Vancouver Canucks prospect who suited up for 36 games with the team this season.
  • Matt Tugnutt, son of former NHL goaltender Ron Tugnutt, is transferring schools. The talented forward may not be going far geographically, but he is making a major move in terms of competition level and ability to compete for a national title. Tugnutt, 23, will play his senior season at Providence College after spending his first three years at Sacred Heart, he announced on his personal Twitter. A near point-per-game player and a +21 for a very good Sacred Heart team this year, Tugnutt is a big addition for the Friars. However, he will have to adjust quickly to the difference between Atlantic and Hockey East competition if he hopes to make a similar impact.

Snapshots: Polak, Khokhlachev, Shirokov, Amonte

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At 34 years old, defenseman Roman Polak played in just 41 games this season with the Dallas Stars, his fewest appearances since he was a young prospect back in 2007-08. He also recorded just four points, his fewest since becoming a full-time NHLer. All signs point toward the veteran defender’s time at the top level coming to a close, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he is ready to retire. Instead, Czech source Hokej believes that Polak could return home to continue his career. It is believed that the HC Vitkovice Steel of the Czech Extraliga, with whom Polak played before moving to North America and again during the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season, could be the most likely landing spot for Polak. The physical stay-at-home defender would still be a major boost for the roster, not to mention a fan favorite as a local product returning from a long NHL career. Vitkovice head coach Mojmír Trličík confirms that he has already been in contact with Polak, whose NHL contract has not yet officially expired, and is excited about the prospect of adding the established vet. He does note that Polak could be of interest elsewhere in Europe, but the door will always remain open for a return to the Steel.

  • There was a trade of note in the KHL on Sunday as Alexander Khokhlachev and Sergei Shirokov were swapped one-for-one by their respective teams. Avangard Omsk receives Khokhlachev, 26, a center whose rights are owned by the Boston Bruins. Going the other way to Spartak Moscow is Shirokov, 34, a former Vancouver Canuck and a long-time KHL standout. While Shirokov is in the twilight of his career, he can still be a useful two-way forward for Moscow and just recently signed a two-year contract extension. Meanwhile, Khokhlachev may be the better player right now but is entering the final year of his KHL contract and may be eyeing an NHL return. Moving to a new team for next season may only increase his likelihood of departing. The Bruins retain Khokhlachev’s rights through June 30, 2021, after which he enters his age 27 league year and his RFA rights expire. Boston has openly discussed in the past that they have maintained contact with “Koko” and would be open to bringing him back. The team could also trade away his rights, which would gain more value should he openly admit his plans to return to the league. Khokhlachev could also wait out the expiration of his rights and sign with any team he likes next summer. There are multiple avenues for his return and this trade could be a sign that he is likely to take one.
  • Tristan Amonte will follow in the footsteps famous father Tony, brother Ty, and NHL cousin Charlie Coyle and attend Boston University. The BCHL’s Penticton Vees, who Amonte will again play for next season, announced that their standout forward will join the Terriers in 2021-22. Amonte, who played for his dad and alongside his brother at Thayer Academy before joining Penticton, continues a strong family legacy that he hopes leads to his long-term success in hockey. An intriguing possibility could be that he can once again play with his brother as well. Ty, who also played for Penticton but for just one season, completed his junior season this year but did not play a single game due to injury. Ty thus has two years of NCAA eligibility remaining, which he could use to play a fifth year at BU during Tristan’s freshman campaign. It remains to be seen whether an Amonte reunion will occur for the Terriers, but it remains an exciting family development nevertheless. Neither Amonte brother was drafted, but both will still inevitably draw some pro interest when they leave the college ranks.

Snapshots: Egle, Handemark, Cehlarik

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Over the past two years, Clarkson University forward Haralds Egle has been one of the best and most consistent scoring forwards in college hockey. An undrafted prospect out of the USHL, the Latvian-born winger just completed his final collegiate season but truly began to hit his stride last year. In total, Egle accumulated 33 goals and 72 points in 71 games over the past two seasons, leading a national contender. Now, Egle is ready to take on the pros. The AHL’s Manitoba Moose have announced a two-year deal for the 23-year-old scoring forward. Latvia remains an under-represented nation in the NHL, but if Egle’s NCAA ability translates to the AHL its very possible that his he could be the next name from his country to join the ranks of the elite.

  • Swedish forward Fredrik Handemark is no stranger to the NHL rumor mill, with the most recent reports naming the Detroit Red Wings and San Jose Sharks as suitors should the SHL veteran choose to make the jump this off-season. It appears he has made his choice though, as Swedish news source Aftonbladet reports that Handemark is expected to sign with the Sharks this summer. After posting a career-high 14 goals and 38 points this season, the 26-year-old Malmo Redhawks captain has decided to take the next step in his career with San Jose. While the terms have not been confirmed, Aftonbladet expects Handemark to sign a one-year entry-level contract with a $900K AAV, which could prove to be a bargain for the Sharks if the Swedish star can replicate his production at the next level.
  • Boston Bruins forward Peter Cehlarik may be eyeing a move to the opposite side of the Atlantic. Slovakian news source TA3 reports that the local product may be considering a move to Europe, namely the SHL, after another season in which he was unable to secure a consistent NHL job. Cehlarik, 24, played his developmental years in Sweden and was drafted by Boston from Lulea HF in 2013. In his four years since coming over from Europe, Cehlarik has played in at least three NHL games each season, including a career-high 20 in 2018-19. However, his considerable scoring ability – 136 points in 185 career AHL games – has not translated to the NHL, where he has just 11 points in 40 games. Beyond just his production, Cehlarik has struggled to find a natural fit in the Bruins’ lineup and has been passed up on the organizational depth chart. A restricted free agent this summer, Boston may qualify Cehlarik as a useful minor league depth player, but he could opt instead to chase a starring role back in the SHL.

Jets Notes: Woodcroft, Moose, Heinola

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The Winnipeg Jets will likely be looking for a new assistant coach next season, as John Buccigross of ESPN reports that Todd Woodcroft has been offered the head coaching position at the University of Vermont. Murat Ates of The Athletic believes Woodcroft will take the position and notes how much time the coach spent practicing with the younger Jets players.

Woodcroft has been part of several organizations around the NHL, spending time as a video coach, scout, director of scouting and assistant coach. He has also been part of several different World Championship coaching staffs, but will now get his chance to lead a college program.

  • The Manitoba Moose, AHL affiliate of the Jets, have signed two forwards to minor league deals for 2021-22. Westin Michaud and Biagio Lerario have both agreed to AHL contracts, giving them a chance to move to the professional ranks. Michaud recently finished his fourth NCAA season and first at the University of North Dakota, where he recorded 28 points in 35 games. The 24-year old had previously transferred from Colorado College. Lerario meanwhile played four seasons at Northeastern University, occupying a bottom-six role to support the more flashy offensive players the program has seen come and go. In 122 NCAA games, the 24-year old Lerario scored 29 points and recorded 173 PIM.
  • When you look at the Jets depth chart for next season it’s easy to pencil in Ville Heinola as a full-time roster player, given the fact that Dmitry Kulikov, Nathan Beaulieu, Dylan DeMelo, Luca Sbisa and Anthony Bitetto are all headed for unrestricted free agency. Heinola was impressive in his debut at the beginning of the season before returning to Finland, but GM Kevin Cheveldayoff cautioned against making any assumptions when speaking with Ken Wiebe of The Athletic (subscription required). The then-18-year-old defenseman recorded five points in eight games with the Jets at the beginning of the year, before starring once again for Finland at the World Juniors. He’ll have to perform just as well at next season’s training camp to secure his spot. Selected 20th overall in 2019, even if they have to wait another year, it seems as though the Jets found another steal in the latter part of the first round.

Kings Sign Cole Hults

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Cole Hults has decided to forego his senior season and turn pro as the Kings announced that they’ve signed him to a two-year, entry-level contract that will begin in the 2020-21 season.  Per CapFriendly, the deal breaks down as follows:

2020-21: $925K salary (including signing bonus), $125K in performance bonuses, $70K AHL salary
2021-22: $925K salary (including signing bonus), $125K in performance bonuses, $70K AHL salary

The 21-year-old recently wrapped up his junior year with Penn State and had a strong season offensively.  He picked up eight goals and 22 assists in 34 games for the Nittany Lions, setting new career bests in both goals and points.  Those numbers helped him earn a spot on the NCAA West’s second All-American team.

Los Angeles drafted Hults back in the fifth round (134th overall) back in 2017 and he has outperformed that selection so far.  It’s likely that he will require some development time at the minor league level before making the jump to the NHL so he will almost certainly begin next season with the Ontario Reign of the AHL.

Scott Perunovich Named 2020 Hobey Baker Award Winner

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Late on Saturday night, the NCAA announced (Twitter link) the winner of the 2020 Hobey Baker Award for the top NCAA men’s ice hockey player.  Blues prospect Scott Perunovich took home the prize, beating out Bruins prospect Jeremy Swayman and undrafted free agent Jordan Kawaguchi.

Perunovich becomes the sixth player from Minnesota-Duluth to win the award which is a record among NCAA teams.  The 21-year-old was named the NCHC’s top offensive defenseman for the third straight season after recording six goals and 34 assists in 34 games this season for the Bulldogs.

It has been an interesting journey for Perunovich when it comes to his NHL path.  Initially undrafted in his first two years of eligibility, he was vaulted onto the radar after his first college year which convinced St. Louis to pick him in the second round (45th overall) back in 2018.  Since then, his stock has only risen and he now stands as one of their top prospects.

Last month, Perunovich agreed to terms with the Blues on two separate entry-level deals, foregoing his senior season in the process.  Which contract ultimately gets signed will depend on what happens to the current season which is on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  If play resumes, Perunovich will burn the first year of his deal this season and will be eligible to play for St. Louis in the playoffs if they want to use him.  If not, the contract will begin in 2020-21.

Snapshots: Bilyalov, Jaskin, Combs

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While the NHL has assured fans that the 2020-21 season will not be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and a number of international players and college prospects have signed contracts for next season based on that premise, KHL goaltender Timur Bilyalov is not feeling as comfortable with the league’s unknown future. Despite garnering interest from NHL teams, Bilyalov has opted to re-sign with Ak Bars Kazan on a one-year deal, citing doubts as to when the new NHL league year will begin. However, the 25-year-old specifically noted that he has not ruled out pursuing an NHL career in the future. Bilyalov was one the best goalies in the KHL this season, recording a .943 save percentage and 1.45 goals-against average in the regular season and even better numbers in an undefeated playoff run prior to the KHL’s cancellation of the season. Interest will undoubtedly renew this time next year if his top performance continues.

  • Former NHLer Dmitrij Jaskin also appears poised to re-sign in the KHL. RIA News in Moscow reports that Dynamo Moscow has come to terms on an extension for their star forward. Jaskin recorded 31 goals and 63 points in a dominant first season in the KHL. The power forward made the jump last off-season after failing to find a job in the NHL. He had played the previous six seasons with the St. Louis Blues and Washington Capitals, totaling 27 goals and 69 points in 303 games, a mark he nearly topped in just one season back in Russia. Despite his impressive production this combined with previous experience in the league, Jaskin appears content to continue starring for Dynamo rather than seeking out another NHL opportunity.
  • The college transfer market is mostly used to make depth additions, but occasionally a program can find a diamond in the rough. Michigan State may have a good one on their hands in forward Charlie Combs. Combs announced that he will leave Bemidji State and join the Spartans for his senior season. The former BCHL standout had a slightly down 2019-20 campaign, but was one of the Beavers’ best players a season ago. He has compiled 60 points in three collegiate seasons and was on his way to an NCAA Tournament appearance this season with Bemidji State prior to the cancellation of the postseason. He will look to make the most of his final college season with a Michigan State team that was competitive in the Big Ten Conference this year.

Jacob Bernard-Docker Returning For Junior Season

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The curtailed NCAA season seems to have had an adverse effect when it comes to NHL teams signing their top collegiate prospects. David Farrance recently announced that he would be returning to Boston University for his senior season thanks to some unfinished business, and now Jacob Bernard-Docker is making a similar decision. The Ottawa Senators draft pick has told the organization he intends on returning to the University of North Dakota for his junior season, according to Brad Elliott Schlossman of the Grand Forks Herald.

Bernard-Docker told Schlossman that the “way the season ended didn’t sit well” with him and his teammates, likely a good part of the reason why other UND players like Jordan Kawaguchi have already announced they will be going back for another year.

The 19-year old Senators pick is a highly-coveted prospect and one that has only continued to improve since he was the 26th overall pick in 2018. He registered 25 points in 32 games for UND while also suiting up for Canada at the World Juniors, where he took home the gold medal. His defensive ability was polished by the end of his freshman year, but only improved even further with quicker decision making and crisper outlet passes this season.

Bernard-Docker’s not going to be the next Erik Karlsson for the Senators, but his game seems perfectly fit to be the kind of long-term partner the team desperately needs for Thomas Chabot. Erik Brannstrom, another highly-touted young defenseman in the system is much more offensive and could potentially feast on easier minutes.

For now, those roster dreams will have to wait as Bernard-Docker returns to UND for some unfinished business of his own. The Senators will have to try and convince him to sign next time around.

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