Florida Panthers prospect Kasper Puutio and reserve Aleski Heponiemi saw opening-day action as the 2023-23 IIHF Champions Hockey League got underway in Europe.
Puutio played on the third defense pairing with Toni Utenen in Pelicans 5-1 loss to Växjö Lakers. The 21-year-old registered a block and one shot on goal while logging 21:05 of ice time. He finished the game with an even rating.
Heponiemi centered the third line in EHC Biel-Bienne’s 3-1 victory over HC Košice. The 24-year-old played a team-high 20:04 and won eight face-offs and blocked a shot.
Jakub Kos did not play in Ilves 3-1 win over HC Dynamo Pardubice.
In preseason action from the Swedish Hockey League, Logan Hutsko saw second line duty in IK Oskarshamn’s 5-0 loss to Rögle BK.
NHL News
The Seattle Kraken signed unrestricted free agent forward Devin Shore to a one-year, two-way contract that pays the league minimum ($775K) at the NHL level. Shore appeared in 47 games with the Edmonton Oilers last season and produced one goal and eight points.
Zack Kassian, 32, has signed a profession try-out contract with the Anaheim Ducks. Kassian spent the 2022-23 season with the Arizona Coyotes and scored two goals in 51 games.
PWHL
The new Professional Women’s Hockey League has announced the six general managers of its franchises:
- Danielle Marmer | Boston
- Natalie Darwitz | Minnesota
- Danièle Sauvageau | Montreal
- Pascal Daoust | New York
- Michael Hirshfeld | Ottawa
- Gina Kingsbury | Toronto
Also expected today is the order of the inaugural PWHL Draft. The 15-round draft will take place on September 18 in Toronto. Free agency is scheduled to open at 1 p.m. ET. During the 10-day free agency window, each franchise can sign three players to standard player agreements.