AHL 2026 preseason begins Sept. 25
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League announced today its composite 2026 preseason schedule, leading up to the start of the league’s 91st campaign next month. In operation since 1936, the American Hockey League serves as the top development league for the players, coaches, managers, executives, broadcasters and staff of all 32 National Hockey League teams. Nearly 90 percent of today’s NHL players are American Hockey League graduates, and more than 130 honored members of the Hockey Hall of Fame spent time in the AHL in their careers. The AHL’s 2026-27 regular season begins on Fri., Oct. 2. 2026 AHL … Continue reading
K-Wings sign Bilek, MacDonald
KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Kalamazoo Wings, ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Vancouver Canucks, announced that the team signed forwards Colin Bilek and Ayden MacDonald to contracts for the 2026-27 season. Bilek, 29, enters his fifth professional season. In 2025-26, Bilek appeared in 71 games, finishing first on the K-Wings in goals (21) and power-play goals (10) and fifth with 40 points (22g-18a). The Brighton, Michigan native has played for two other ECHL teams in his career (Indy, Trois-Rivières), and amassed 129 points (59g-70a) in 180 games before his time with the K-Wings. He also suited up in three … Continue reading
Gladiators add Winquist
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 Josh Winquist for the 2026-27 season. Winquist joins the Gladiators following a season in the Elite Ice Hockey League with the Fife Flyers in which he scored 27 points (11g-16a) in 41 games as one of the team’s alternate captains. His 27 points were tied for the second most among Flyers skaters last season. Winquist returns to the ECHL for the first time since the 2022-23 season where he posted 38 … Continue reading
Kreider to have contract terminated by Ducks, likely will be free agent
Chris Kreider was placed on unconditional waivers by the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday with the purpose of terminating his contract. If the 35-year-old forward goes unclaimed, he will become an unrestricted free agent. Kreider has one season remaining on the seven-year, $45.5 million contract ($6.5 million average annual value) he signed with the New York Rangers on Feb. 24, 2020. With training camp set to open next week, the Ducks need to find room under the NHL salary cap ($104 million) to sign restricted free agent forward Cutter Gauthier, who led them in goals (41) and points (69) last season. Anaheim … Continue reading
Kincaid re-signs with Wichita
WICHITA, Kan. – The Wichita Thunder, ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s San Jose Sharks and American Hockey League’s San Jose Barracuda, announced that defenseman Robert Kincaid has re-signed for the 2026-27 season. Kincaid, 23, signed with the Thunder this past March and tallied three points (1g-2a) in 14 games. Prior to signing with the Thunder, Kincand finished his collegiate career at Canisius University. The Barrhead, Alberta native started at the University of Maine before transferring to Canisius University. He played three years for the Golden Griffins, collecting 24 points (8g-16a) in 83 career games.
Barry Melrose passes
Hockey has always been a different kind of sport. Not the game; the culture, the ethos. Sure, it has changed over the last 20 years or so. It’s not quite the same. Having been involved in hockey more closely for the last 25 years through Pro Hockey News, there have been opportunities to meet current and former players and coaches. There was Mark Messier in the elevator in the Staples Center during the Stanley Cup Final between the Los Angeles Kings and the New York Rangers. There was head coach Ken Hitchcock in Odessa, Texas for an All-Star game in … Continue reading
