Gorton commits to Boston University
2002-born Victoria Grizzlies forward Jack Gorton has committed to Boston University to play NCAA hockey starting in September 2022. Gorton, a rookie forward for the Grizzlies from Granite Springs, NY, has three goals and eight points in 26 games this season.
Kim to play college hockey at Holy Cross
Langley Rivermen freshman forward Owen Kim announced his commitment to College of the Holy Cross on Twitter on Tuesday. The 2004-born native of North Vancouver, BC has eight goals and 14 points in 23 games with the Rivermen this season. It’s unknown when Kim will head to Holy Cross.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton signs Foley to a pro tryout
Defenseman Matt Foley (one goal, eight assists in 38 games with Merritt in 2014-15) has signed a professional tryout with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League.
Foley, a 26-year-old from Longmeadow, MA, has a goal and three assists in 14 games with the ECHL’s Wheeling Nailers as a sophomore this season.
Rumpel signs a pro tryout with the Iowa Wild
The Iowa Wild of the AHL has signed goaltender Joel Rumpel (46-15-0, 2.33 goals-against average, .914 save percentage, three shutouts in 69 games with Penticton from 2009-11) to a professional tryout contract.
The Swift Current, SK native is 3-0 with a 1.67 goals-against average and one shutout in three games with the Cabri Bulldogs of the White Mud Hockey League this season. Rumpel signed with Adirondack of the ECHL on Dec. 10 but hasn’t seen any games with the Thunder yet this season.
Americans bring in Pritchard on a pro tryout
Forward Jacob Pritchard (39 goals, 37 assists in 54 games with Powell River in 2014-15) inked a professional tryout contract with the Rochester Americans of the AHL on Tuesday.
The 26-year-old from Macomb Township, MI has eight goals and 16 points in 19 games with the ECHL’s Reading Royals this season. He also played one game on loan to the AHL’s Springfield Thunderbirds on Dec. 12.
Worcester brings Claeys up from the SPHL
25-year-old goaltender Brody Claeys (24-40-0, 3.13 goals-against average, .904 save percentage, one shutout in 76 games with Alberni Valley from 2015-17) has been loaned by the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs of the Southern Professional Hockey League to the ECHL’s Worcester Railers.
The Dauphin, MB native is 1-1-2 with a 2.52 goals-against average, and an .891 save percentage in five games with the Rail Yard Dawgs in 2021-22.
Kozlowski called up from Iowa… to Iowa
Goaltender Trevin Kozlowski (9-16-0, 3.98 goals-against-average, .892 save percentage, one shutout in 29 games with Salmon Arm in 2016-17) was recalled from the Iowa Heartlanders of the ECHL to the Iowa Wild of the AHL on Tuesday.
The 24-year-old from Valencia, CA is 5-6-1 with a 3.48 goals-against average, and a .903 save percentage in 13 games with the Heartlanders this season. He also appeared in one AHL game with the Wild and allowed two goals on six shots in a 6-3 loss to Milwaukee on Dec. 12.
Smutek signs with the ECHL’s South Carolina Stingrays
31-year-old defenseman Skyler Smutek (16 goals, 55 assists in 129 games with Trail and Quesnel from 2009-11) signed an ECHL contract with the South Carolina Stingrays on Tuesday morning.
The product of Renton, WA has split this season between the Peoria Rivermen and Vermilion County Bobcats of the SPHL, posting a total of four assists in a dozen games.
Bridgeport signs Coughlin to a PTO
Forward Liam Coughlin (38 goals, 67 assists in 107 games with Vernon from 2013-15) has signed a professional tryout agreement with the Bridgeport Islanders of the AHL.
Coughlin, a 27-year-old from South Boston, MA, has five goals and 11 points in 14 games with the ECHL’s Worcester Railers this season. He didn’t play any games of note in 2020-21 due to the pandemic.