Late-season signings making impact across league

By Joe Babik
ECHL Senior PR/Historical Specialist

Over its 38-season history, the ECHL has carved its niche in the hockey world, developing players to advance to the American Hockey League and National Hockey League. One of the key components of the League’s success has been giving undrafted players a chance to show what they can do in the professional hockey world.

A great opportunity for these young players to get experience in the pro game comes near the end of every season, after their college season has concluded and ECHL teams are seeking players to fill out their lineup, and get an early look at players for the next season.

From February 16 through March 24, 93 players from 43 different college programs signed with ECHL teams. Leading the way was Canisius University with seven players, followed by St. Cloud State University with six players ands Ferris State University with five players.

One of the more notable names to join the ECHL over the last five weeks is Jackson Niedermayer, who signed with the Tulsa Oilers after the completion of his senior season at Bowling Green State University. The son of Hockey Hall of Famer Scott Niedermayer and nephew of 17-season NHL veteran Rob Niedermayer has two points (1g-1a) in his first six pro games. During his five-year collegiate career split between Bowling Green and Arizona State University, the 25-year-old totaled 44 points (20g-24a) in 124 games.

Niedermayer has been joined in Tulsa by Zachary Murray, the son of Oilers’ head coach Rob Murray. The 24-year-old had 53 points (21g-32a) in 92 career games at Division III Amherst College before signing with Tulsa on March 6. Murray has six points (2g-4a) in his first nine pro games, including a two-goal game in his second game on March 7 at Allen and a two-assist effort on March 21 at Idaho.

Jack Pascucci signed with Norfolk on March 6 after wrapping up his collegiate career with Canisius, joining the same organization his dad, Ron, played 133 games for from 1993-96. The stay-at-home defenseman recorded seven points - all assists - over his 75 college games with the Golden Griffins and the University of Connecticut. After not scoring a goal since the 2021-22 season when he was with Des Moines of the United States Hockey League, the 24-year-old lit the lamp for his first pro goal on March 20 against Greensboro.