The New Jersey Devils are expected to sign Western Michigan University’s Dylan Wendt, per Brad Elliott Schlossman of the Grand Forks Herald (Twitter link). This deal would mark New Jersey’s first venture into the NCAA since signing Luke Hughes in 2022 and Brian Halonen, Aarne Talvitie, and Tyce Thompson in 2021.
Wendt exploded onto the scene this season, ranking second on Western Michigan with 23 goals and 44 points in 38 games. It was a tremendous jump in scoring, after Wendt tallied just 25 points in 73 games as an underclassman. And it came thanks to a boost in role, with Wendt moving into Western Michigan’s top-six and top power-play unit this season. He didn’t squander the opportunity – using a strong understanding of positioning, quick hands, and the ability to make sneaky passes to emerge as a key playmaker for the Broncos. Wendt was a key set-up man for top scorers Luke Grainger and Alex Bump, and always seemed to be in the right place to bury any second-chance opportunities.
Wendt was a critical part of the 2020-21 Muskegon Lumberjacks, where he worked alongside San Jose Sharks prospect Daniil Gushchin and New York Islanders prospect Cameron Berg to lead Muskegon to the league’s semi-finals. Again, Wendt’s strong understanding of the three lanes of the ice and his strong playmaking from the wings led to high scoring, with Wendt totaling 17 goals and 45 points in 53 games, and adding four assists in four playoff games. He’ll now look to become the third player from that lineup to play pro hockey, alongside Guschin and John Farinacci.
“This deal would mark New Jersey’s first venture into the NCAA since signing Luke Hughes in 2022…”
They signed him April 2023.
And he was not a college free agent but a Devil’s prospect.
Same with Thompson. And Talvitie went to Penn St. after he was drafted.
Will he be the new punching bag for the New York Rangers?
Guess you could say other teams attempts to sign Dylan came and Wendt? ;)