Linkorama: NCHC draft follow-up; Goose signs with Kraken; Draft picks on upcoming CC roster

Above is an image of all the 2023 NHL draft picks connected to the National Collegiate Hockey Conference. Minnesota Duluth and North Dakota both had four selections followed by Colorado College with three (most since 2005).

The first selected was 2024 Duluth goalie Adam Gajan (No. 35, second round, Blackhawks). Here is some info on the lone Denver selection and the picks for Western Michigan, and St. Cloud State.

In all, nine college players were selected in the first round while another 58 went on Day 2 (rounds 2-7). Of the 68 selected, 21 were Hockey East players/signees/commits while the NCHC had 18 and Big Ten 17. The ECAC followed with eight and CCHA (4) and Atlantic Hockey/independents (none).

Here is a breakdown from The Rink Live showing the NCHC, Big Ten and CCHA selections.

Former Tigers defenseman Gustav Olofsson re-signed with the Seattle Kraken organization earlier this week.

NHL free agency starts Saturday. FYI, Seattle winger Jaden Schwartz is signed through the 2025-26 season as is Columbus center Hunter McKown. Carolina’s Jaccob Slavin has two more years (though 2024-25) with the Hurricanes.

Assuming there is no injury/recovery seventh-round pick and incoming Tigers winger Zaccharya Wisdom will be headed to the Kraken development camp. Here’s an early schedule (starts July 2). That article also contains a YouTube link for the open scrimmages if fans want to watch.

Wisdom joining the NCHC program this fall might make it four NHL draft picks on the Tigers active roster, a considerable jump up from one last season (rising sophomore Noah Laba). The four are Laba (Rangers, 2021, 111th overall), Klavs Veinbergs (2022, Tampa Bay, 224^th), Tomas Machu (2021, Islanders, 221^st overall) and Wisdom (2023, Seattle, 212th).

Miami announced its roster for next season.

Weekend update: Six former Tigers remain alive in AHL, NHL, USHL playoffs

Colorado College signee forward Bret Link scored Fargo’s only goal in a 2-1 overtime loss to Youngstown on Saturday. The win gave the Phantoms, which includes future Tigers defenseman Tomas Machu, a 2-0 lead (two road wins) in the best-of-three Clark Cup championship series. Game 3 is Friday in Ohio.

Machu, listed at 6-4, 190 pounds, was a 2021 7^th round draft pick (221^st overall) by the New York Islanders. The Ostrava, Czechia native has two assists in seven playoff games and is fourth on the Phantoms at plus-5.

In the NHL playoffs, Edmonton was eliminated by Vegas late Sunday night, ending Oilers assistant Mark Stuart’s postseason run.

Earlier in the weekend, Carolina advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals against Florida. Here’s a blog post about Carolina defenseman Jaccob Slavin’s eye-popping plus-minus stats so far.

Here’s an NHL.com article about the huge role Slavin has played in Carolina’s playoff run.

Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinal series is Monday night featuring Seattle’s Jaden Schwartz at the Dallas Stars.

In the AHL playoffs, former CC defenseman Gustav Olofsson (20 games) remains alive with the Coachella Valley Firebirds (Kraken affiliate) against the Calgary Wranglers (Flames). The Firebirds have a 2-0 lead (two road wins) entering tonight’s Game 3 in best-of-three Pacific Division Finals.

Former Tiger captain Grant Cruikshank has appeared in two games for Toronto (Maple Leafs) after three regular-season appearances following the end of St. Cloud State’s season. No points recorded. The Marlies trail their best-of-three North Division Final series 2-0 with Game 3 on Wednesday in Rochester.

Weekend update: Goalie signee takes home U18 world gold; Former and future Tigers advance in NHL, USHL and BCHL playoffs

It was a big weekend for future and former Tigers with all three NHLers — Seattle winger Jaden Schwartz, Carolina defenseman Jaccob Slavin and Edmonton assistant coach Mark Stuart  — advancing to the second round (conference semifinals).

Edmonton takes on Vegas, Seattle plays Dallas and Carolina awaits the winner of the Rangers/Devils Game 7 tonight.

CC goalie signee Carsen Musser was the backup for most of Team USA’s gold-medal run at the U18 men’s ice hockey championship in Switzerland. Musser won one game in group play, appeared in another and was on the bench for the 3-2 overtime win over defending champion Sweden on Sunday.

In the USHL playoffs, the top-seeded Chicago Steel, featuring future Tiger forward Jordan Bisson, eliminated Dubuque 5-4 in game 3 Sunday night to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals this weekend against No. 2 Youngstown (defenseman Tomas Machu).

The season ended for the Saints, which included defensemen Max Burkholder and Fisher Scott and forward Riley Stuart.  Burkholder and Stuart both scored in the loss. The Phantoms swept Cedar Rapids, which included forward Zaccharya Wisdom, in its best-of-three series.

Third-seeded Lincoln, featuring defenseman signees Antonio Fernandez and Tyler Dunbar, knocked off No. 2 Waterloo (forward Gavin Lindberg) to take on top-seed Fargo (forward Bret Link) in the Western Conference finals.

The series change from the best-of-three format to best of five. Lincoln and Fargo start play Thursday with Chicago and Youngstown starting Friday.

In the BCHL playoffs, Chilliwack, featuring winger Mateo Mrsic, trail their Coastal Conference final series against Alberni Valley 2-0.

The Penticton Vees (10-0 in playoffs) improved to 2-0 in their series against Salmon Arm (center Owen Buckner). The playoffs resume with Game 3 Tuesday and Game 4 Wednesday in both best of seven series.

Three former Tigers’ teams advance to NHL playoffs

And the Kraken makes three.

The expansion Seattle Kraken clinched a Stanley Cup playoff berth with a 4-2 win Thursday night over Arizona, meaning former Colorado College standout Jaden Schwartz (39 points, 20 goals) will play in the NHL postseason for the first time since he left the St. Louis Blues, where he won a Stanley Cup in 2019.

Carolina and Edmonton qualified earlier, meaning Oilers assistant coach Mark Stuart and Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin (26 points, 19 assists) also advanced making it three former Tigers in the NHL postseason. The regular season ends April 14 with the playoffs starting April 17.

Where Are They Now? Former Tigers competing in the pros

While there is talk and/or hope of a resumption of the NHL schedule, it is the offseason for many former Colorado College Tigers now plying their skills in the professional ranks in North America or overseas.
I listed everyone I could track down who was under contract this past season with whatever information I dug up on websites and databases (IHDB.com, Eliteprospects.com). I did not include any players who did not play. I include some links to past articles where relevant.
The list is organized by where the former Tiger played the majority of his games or where he was when that league’s season was suspended or canceled. I included some links to past articles if you want to read more.
Former Tigers currently in the pros
NHL
Curtis McElhinney, G — The Ontario native, 36, went 8-7-0-3 in 18 appearances (2.89 goals against, .906 saves percentage) in a backup role for the Tampa Bay Lightning. He is now 90-89-0-18 in 237 NHL games (.909. 2.82 goals).
Jaden Schwartz, F — The 27-year-old winger was on a tear, recording 57 points (22 goals) in 71 games for St. Louis this season. He was second in the NHL with tip-in goals (seven) behind San Jose’s Evander Kane (eight). He led the Blues with 12 playoff goals during the 2018-19 playoffs, which culminated in hoisting the franchise’s first Stanley Cup. Now in his eighth full NHL season, the Saskatchewan native, 27, has 364 points (146 goals) in 520 appearances.

Jaccob Slavin, D — The Erie, Colo. native, 25, recorded 36 points (30 assists) in 68 games for the Carolina Hurricanes this season. He is now at 151 points (122 assists) in 377 NHL career game since his debut on Nov. 18, 2015. And he continues to improve. He was named to the 2020 NHL All-Star Game, where he won the accuracy shooting competition. His time of 9.505 seconds was the best since the NHL expanded to five targets. He is under contract with Carolina through the 2024-25 season.

AHL
Teemu Kivihalme, D — Recorded 18 points (14 assists) in 55 games for Toronto Marlies before receiving a short call-up by the Maple Leafs (DNP). The 24-year-old spent the previous two seasons playing for Karpat in his father’s native Finland.
Gustav Olofsson, D — The native of Sweden recorded 16 points (15 assists) in his first season with the Laval Rocket. The 25-year-old has 11 assists in 59 NHL appearances, including three Canadiens games (no points) this season. His contract with the Montreal organization was extended on March 21 and lasts through the 2020-21 season.
Nate Prosser, D — Recorded 10 points (nine assists) in 59 games (his first full AHL season) for Lehigh Valley after signing a one-year deal with the Flyers organization. The Phantoms assistant captain, 33, spent his previous nine pro seasons with the Minnesota Wild. He has recorded 47 points in 354 NHL contests (one game, no points, 2017-18 Blues).
Peter Stoykewych, D — Manitoba Moose captain’s season was cut short by injury (12 games, one assist). The Winnipeg native, 27, has 72 points in 267 games for his hometown AHL team.

ECHL
Mason Bergh, F — Started the 2019-20 season with AHL Ontario Reign (three points, 25 games) before being sent down to Fort Wayne, where the 25-year-old recorded 19 points (10 goals) in 29 contests.
Trey Bradley, F — The 23-year-old winger recorded 34 points (14 goals) in 48 games for the defending champion Newfoundland Growlers.
Trevor Gooch, F — The New Jersey native, 25, put together a solid first full pro season with 22 points (12 goals), 22 penalty minutes and a plus-10 rating in 40 games for the Reading Royals.
Alex Krushelnyski, F — The 29-year-old fought through injuries to record 30 points (11 goals) in 28 games for the Indy Fuel.
Overseas
Richard Bachman, G — The 32-year-old started the season with AHL Utica before being loaned by the Canucks organization on Feb. 12 to last-place Oskarhamn of the top Swedish league. His season ended with three appearances overseas.
Nick Dineen, F — The former Pikes Peak Miner, 31, is under contract for his 10th pro season (2020-21) in Europe. He served as captain in his third year with Norway’s Lillehammer (site of the 1994 Winter Olympics), recording 50 points (22 goals) in 45 games.
Hunter Fejes, F — We should only hope for his frequent flyer miles. The 25-year-old forward finished this season with his 10th pro team, LInz of the Austrian league, where he tallied 21 points (13 goals) in 24 games. He also played this season with ECHL Orlando Solar Bears (10 points, 15 games) and the AHL Manitoba Moose (one assist, seven games).

Cody Lampl, D — The 33-year-old fan favorite recorded six assists in 45 games in his third season for the Mannheim Eagles. The 13-year pro has 92 points (69 assists) in 228 games in German league after playing in 276 ECHL games (87 points, 71 assists) earlier in his career. He is under contract for his 14th season (fourth in Mannheim) in 2020-21.
Alex Leclerc, G — The Quebec native, 25, appeared in 56 games, winning 23, while stopping a Elite Ice Hockey League high 1,773 shots for the Dundee (Scotland) Stars, which named him as the franchise’s player of the year.
William Rapuzzi, F — The 30-year-old Anchorage native recorded 27 points (15 goals) in 39 games for Austria’s Dornbin.
Rylan Schwartz, F — The center ended the season with the Stavanger OIlers of Norway, recording seven points (three goals) in eight games. During his seventh full pro season, the 30-year-old left the Nurnberg Ice Tigers of Germany on Feb. 11 after tallying 10 points (five goals) in 31 games.
Mike Testwuide, F — He played his second season with the Daemyung Killer Whales (21 points, 35 games). He has 283 points in 267 games over seven seasons in the Asia League. The Vail native, 33, is a dual citizen of the U.S. and South Korea, allowing him to play for the host team in the 2018 Winter Olympics.

 

 

In the pros: Bachman gets first win, Schwartz first goal, of season

Dallas Stars backup goalie Richard Bachman eked out a win over Vancouver. The former Tiger may get more starts after an injury to Kari Lehtonen forced his entry into the game.

Jaden Schwartz scored his first of the year and assisted the next goal to stake St. Louis to a 2-0 lead in a 5-2 win at struggling Calgary.

In the pros: Hillen injury, Crabb, Prosser, Schwartz, Stuart, AHL

From the Washington Times …

TAMPA, Fla. | Washington Capitals defenseman and former Tiger Jack Hillen left Saturday night’s season opener against the Tampa Bay Lightning after taking a hit into the boards from Vinny Lecavalier.

Hillen’s left shoulder hit into the boards after Lecavalier struck him with what appeared to be a clean check. He was down on the ice and in pain until the whistle blew with 8:17 left in the second period.

Hillen was attended to on the ice but skated off under his own power, favoring his left arm. Hillen did not return. Coach Adam Oates said the defenseman had an upper-body injury but offered no other update.

Hillen, who’s listed at 5-foot-10 and 190 pounds, signed a one-year contract with the Caps in July. He was making his Washington debut.

Adam Oates dressed seven defensemen and 11 forwards, so Hillen’s injury knocked the Caps down to the usual six. No penalty was called on the play. Joey Crabb was a healthy scratch.

In other former Tigers news, Nate Prosser logged 12:10 in the Wild’s 4-2 win over Colorado. Jaden Schwartz played 11:59 in St. Louis’ 6-0 win over Detroit, , took two shots, blocked two shots and one hit. Winnipeg’s Mark Stuart drew an early boarding call that set up a Jets’ 1-0 lead on a power-play goal.

Both Richard Bachman and Toby Petersen, who enters his 13th professional season in 2012-13, his ninth in the AHL, are starting the season with the Texas Stars. Petersen signed a two-year two-way contract with Dallas on July 2, 2012.

Kris Fredheim has five points (four assists) in 24 games with the AHL’s Houston Aeros. Brian Connelly had 22 points (20 assists) in 33 games before a recent injury. Chad Rau has seven points (four goals) in 24 games with Houston.

In the pros: J. Schwartz makes Blues roster

Rookie Jaden Schwartz has wrapped up an impressive camp and figures to be on the Blues’ 23-man roster when final rosters are due at 4 p.m. (St. Louis time) Friday.

“He’s available for our selection,” Blues coach Ken Hitchcock said Friday morning.

Schwartz, who is playing on the left wing after lining up at center in Peoria, is expected to suit up for Saturday’s season opener on a line with Patrik Berglund and Chris Stewart.

Click here for the rest of the article.

In the pros: J. Schwartz, Prosser, Crabb, Sterling, Testwuide fight video

Former Tiger Jaden Schwartz is making a good impression on Blues coach Ken Hitchcock.

He is one of a number of young stars according to NHL.com who may benefit from their  time in the AHL while veterans played in the ECHL, overseas or tried to stay in game shape on their own.

Nate Prosser and Justin Falk look ready to be the Wild’s third defensive pair. Brian Connelly is injured.

Joey Crabb took part in this Q&A.

Brett Sterling scored a natural hat trick in just over eight minutes during the first period of a 3-1 win for AHL Chicago on Friday night.

Thursday reading: Tigers in the pros, WMU, WCHA schedule

NHL.com interviewed former Tiger Jaden Schwartz for its regular 10 Questions feature. He has four points (two goals) in seven games with AHL Peoria.

Defenseman Brian Connelly has eight points (six assists) in six games for AHL Houston while teammate Chad Rau has three (two assists) in seven games. Kris Fredheim has appeared in two games for the Aeros.

For AHL Chicago, Brett Sterling has five points (four assists) in six games while Bill Sweatt has three (two goals) in seven games.

Mike Testwuide has one goal in two games so far this season for AHL Adirondack. Gabe Guentzel has appeared in two games for AHL Norfolk.

Here is a column focusing on Western Michigan.

This weekend’s schedule in the WCHA …

Games for Friday, November 2: Nebraska Omaha at Michigan Tech (WCHA), 7:07 pm ET; Colorado College at Wisconsin (WCHA), 7:07 pm CT; Minnesota State at Minnesota (WCHA), 7:07 pm CT; Boston University at North Dakota (NC), 7:37 pm CT; St. Cloud State at Denver (WCHA), 7:37 pm CT.

Games for Saturday, November 3: Nebraska Omaha at Michigan Tech (WCHA), 7:07 pm ET; Boston University at North Dakota (NC), 7:07 pm CT; Colorado College at Wisconsin (WCHA), 7:07 pm CT; Minnesota at Minnesota State (WCHA), 7:07 pm CT; St. Cloud State at Denver (WCHA), 7:07 pm CT.