Coronavirus updates will dominate the hockey headlines today, but teams around the world are still working to fill out rosters while players desperately try to find employment for the upcoming season. As always, we’ll keep track of any notable transactions right here:
- After former NHL goaltender Glen Hanlon decided to resign from his job as head coach of the Krefeld Pinguine before the DEL season even got underway, there have been several other departures from the team. Colin Smith, who played one NHL game for the Colorado Avalanche in 2014-15 and was a solid AHL contributor for years, has decided to leave the German club to pursue an opportunity in Sweden. Smith, 27, has spent the last two seasons playing in the DEL.
- The Jacksonville Icemen of the ECHL have snapped up a pair of college players, signing Derek Lodermeier and Jacob Panetta to minor league contracts for this season. Lodermeier, 25, was the captain of the University of Vermont team for the last two seasons, scoring 11 points in 34 games this year.
- Michael Joly will have to settle for a step down this season, signing an ECHL contract with the Wheeling Nailers after playing the last two seasons entirely in the AHL. Joly, 25, won the Kelly Cup with the Colorado Eagles the last time he played in the ECHL, leading the league in goals and earning playoff MVP honors. He moved up to the AHL with the Eagles in 2018 and had 49 points over the last two seasons.
Joly is a curious case isn’t he?