While many of the NHL’s stars are in Toronto for a training camp, and prospect lists are being released for rookie tournaments, leagues like the AHL and ECHL continue to tweak their rosters for the upcoming seasons. We’ll keep track of the minor moves right here.
- Vincent Dunn has agreed to terms with the ECHL’s Orlando Solar Bears for the upcoming season according to comments he made to Marc Brassard of LeDroit. Dunn noted that playing for Orlando means he’s connected to former Gatineau Olympiques head coach Benoit Groulx, who is now with the Syracuse Crunch. The Crunch and Solar Bears are the minor league affiliates of the Tampa Bay Lightning, and will get some added toughness with Dunn, who was included in the Derick Brassard trade from Ottawa to Pittsburgh last season. The 22-year old’s entry-level contract expired at the end of the year, and Pittsburgh did not issue a new qualifying offer.
- Brendan Woods and Jesse Graham have both signed one-year AHL contracts with the Utica Comets, keeping some minor league experience in the organization. Woods played 14 games for the Comets last season, while Graham suited up for the San Antonio Rampage. Both players should see considerable action for the Comets this season as they look to build on a good 2017-18 campaign.
- Panthers unrestricted free agent Greg Chase has signed a one-year deal with Wichita of the ECHL. Florida acquired him in mid-December from the Oilers and used him with their AHL affiliate in Springfield but declined to tender him a qualifying offer in June. Prior to the trade, Chase was with Wichita as they are Edmonton’s ECHL affiliate.