Four more Colonials from last year’s graduating class have signed on in minor professional hockey. This time it’s in the Central Hockey League (CHL).
Logan Bittle 08–Colorado Eagles
Jeff Gilbert 08 — Laredo Bucks
Brett Hopfe 08– Laredo Bucks
Christian Boucher 08–Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees
The CHL has five teams with direct affiliation with NHL teams, the Buffalo Sabres, Nashville Predators, New York Rangers, New York Islanders and the Phoenix Coyotes.
A few months ago people were surprised that players like Bittle and Boucher hadn’t signed as quickly as some of their teammates, but there was a hang up on these players getting their Visas to play in the states, not to mention finding the right place to get active play.
Watch the guys all season long on the CHL Network, it’s free!
Congratulations to the players for signing minor league contracts! It’s too bad that the CHL team from Youngstown just folded after this past season. It would have been nice to see them play close to home. I guess I’ll have to watch them online, when I’m not at an RMU Game, that is. Has there been any word about some of the others like, Sean Berkstresser, or Chris Kaufman signing anyhere?
Kaufman recently re-signed with the Bakersfield Condors (ECHL). Berkstresser’s ECHL rights are still held by Wheeling, but there’s been no announcement of him signing yet.
Ryan Cruthers’s ECHL rights were traded to the Mississippi Sea Wolves from the Utah Grizzlies, where he finished out the season.
Also, I saw recently that former Colonial Lance Smith (2 games as a freshman in 2004-2005) has signed with the Columbus Cottonmouths (SPHL), after he graduated from SUNY Potsdam.
Kaufman going to Norfolk in AHL. Tampa Bay farm team
Cruthers going to Houston of AHL. Minnesota Farm Team
Berkstresser Wheeling ECHL