Caponi agrees to terms with Gladiators
Duluth, Ga. – The Atlanta Gladiators, ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Nashville Predators and the American Hockey League’s Milwaukee Admirals, announced that the team has signed forward Connor Caponi for the 2026-27 season. Caponi signs with the Gladiators for his second season of professional hockey and first in the ECHL. The 26-year-old spent the 2025-26 campaign in the Elite Ice Hockey League with the Cardiff Devils, logging three assists in 35 regular-season games. Caponi added one goal in four postseason games, helping the Devils capture their fourth EIHL playoff championship. Prior to turning pro, Caponi played five seasons … Continue reading
Pugachev joins Goatheads
RIO RANCHO, N.M. – The New Mexico Goatheads, ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Colorado Avalanche and American Hockey League’s Colorado Eagles, announced that the team has signed forward Artem Pugachev to a contract for the 2026-27 season. Pugachev joins the Goatheads after spending the 2025-26 season with Izhstal Izhevsk of the VHL, appearing in 54 regular-season games and recording 13 points (5g-8a). He added a goal in five playoff appearances. The 2026-27 season will mark Pugachev’s first time playing professionally in North America. Pugachev has spent the past four seasons playing professionally in the VHL, one of Russia’s … Continue reading
Olczyk leaving Kraken broadcasts after 4 seasons
Eddie Olczyk is stepping down as the color analyst on Seattle Kraken television broadcasts after four seasons, the team announced on Tuesday. Olczyk had been with the Kraken since September 2022 while also serving as the top analyst for games on Turner Sports, a role he will continue. Last season, on top of his Seattle duties, Olczyk was part of 65 national TV broadcasts, including in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, as well as national radio games. With his 60th birthday coming Aug. 16, Olczyk feels it’s the right time to cut his workload and spend more time with his wife, Diana, at … Continue reading
Ice Flyers Re-Sign Defenseman Samson Mouland
PENSACOLA, FL — The Pensacola Ice Flyers announced today that the team has re-signed defenseman Samson Mouland for the 2026–27 season. Mouland returns to Pensacola after appearing in 35 regular-season games during the 2025–26 campaign, recording one assist while bringing a physical presence to the Ice Flyers’ blue line. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound defenseman also accumulated 44 penalty minutes, establishing himself as a reliable, hard-nosed defender. “Samson is a player who competes hard and brings the type of intensity that fits our identity. He is willing to do what ever it takes for the team to win” said Head Coach Jeremy … Continue reading
Steelheads re-sign Steinmetz
BOISE, Idaho – The Idaho Steelheads, ECHL affiliate of the Dallas Stars, announced that the club has signed forward Jordan Steinmetz to an contract for the 2026-27 season. Steinmetz enters his third professional season and second in the ECHL with the Steelheads after grabbing 15 points (6g-9a) in 57 games in his first campaign with Idaho last year. The 27-year-old played a professional season in the Central European Hockey League for his first pro experience during the 2024-25 season, notching 42 points (25g-17a) to help Snackpoint Eaters Limburg to a league title. Prior to professional hockey, Steinmetz played five seasons … Continue reading
Komets add Dunkley, Hadfield
Fort Wayne, Ind. – The Fort Wayne Komets announced that they have added forward Nathan Dunkley and defenseman Victor Hadfield for the 2026-27 season. Dunkley, 26, registered 22 points (8g-14a) in 37 games last season with Jacksonville. The third-year pro started his career with Kansas City, scoring 12 points (7g-5a) in 15 games with the Mavericks. Prior to turning pro, he recorded 97 points (42g-55a) in 102 games at St. Mary’s University. Hadfield, 25, played three seasons in Jacksonville, skating in 68 games. He has also had stops in South Carolina, Indy and Reading.
