With the news in the hockey world in a constant flux, teams are always announcing new signings and players are consistently committing to new programs.
Since the first update at Neutral Zone last week, there have been new signings across major junior. Here is the latest update for signings:
WHL
Kasper Pikkarainen, F, Red Deer Rebels
Drafted by the Rebels in the first round of the 2024 CHL Import Draft, Pikkarainen joins the team after spending the majority of the 2023-24 season with TPS U20 (U20 SM-sarja). A New Jersey Devils prospect, Pikkarainen scored 12 goals and added 16 assists for 28 points in 34 regular season games.
Ranked a four star prospect by Neutral Zone, Pikkarainen finished as the 78th best prospect on NZ’s NHL Draft: Top 300 list.
Norwin Panocha, D, Prince Albert Raiders
Drafted by the Raiders in the first round of the 2024 CHL Import Draft, Panocha shifts to the WHL after spending this past season with the Chicoutimi Saguenéens (QMJHL). In 52 regular season games, Panocha collected 15 assists. Drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the seventh round of the 2023 NHL Draft, Panocha has two seasons of junior eligibility remaining.
Panocha is currently ranked as a four-star prospect by Neutral Zone.
OHL
Emil Hemming, F, Barrie Colts
Drafted by the Colts in the first round of the 2024 CHL Import Draft, Hemming commits to the team after spending the majority of the 2023-24 season with TPS in Liiga. A 2024 first-round pick of the Dallas Stars, Hemming had seven goals and four assists for 11 points in 40 regular season games.
Ranked ninth on this Neutral Zone’s Top 300 list for the NHL draft, a scouting report written from the 2024 World Juniors described Hemming as a calm player with the puck:
“Hemming looked good despite a loss in the opening game of the tournament. He was calm with the puck and was able to push play up ice with confidence. His straight-line skating form was a bit awkward as he pushed out to the side of his body rather than extend his legs straight back. Despite this form, he was able to generate good speed and pushed pace into zone entries.”
Martin Vaculik, F, Brampton Steelheads
A native of Zlin, Czechia, Vaculik commits to the Steelheads after being drafted by the team in the first round of the 2024 CHL Import Draft. Suiting up for Berani Zlin U20 (Czechia U20), Vaculik had 19 goals and 29 assists for 48 points in 54 regular season games in 2023-24.
Vaculik was given a 4.25 player rating by Neutral Zone.
Owen Cartwright, D, Brampton Steelheads
A native of Holland Landing, Ont., Cartwright commits to the Steelheads after being selected in the third round of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection. Serving as an assistant captain for York Simcoe Express U16 AAA in 2023-24, Cartwright collected one goal and 26 assists for 27 points in 34 regular season games.
Given a player rating of 3.75, Cartwright was described as a top pairing defenseman who excels in one-on-one situations:
“This top-pairing defenseman excels in one-on-one situations and has the ability to handle pucks and contribute offensively. He has good size and length to his game and used his good reach and physicality to shut down opposing forwards. His size and reach were his best attributes, and he always seemed to be well-positioned, containing forwards in the corners and behind the net.”
Max Mews, F, London Knights
Drafted by the Knights in the third round of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection, Mews joins the team after spending this past year suiting up for Ottawa Myers Automotive U16 AAA. In 10 regular season games, Mews had four goals and eight assists for 12 points. He added a further five points in seven playoff games.
Ranked a 3.75 star prospect, Mews was referred to as a playmaker with his strong performance at this past year’s OHL Cup:
“Mews had a quality showing at the OHL Cup with 2G+3A on the weekend, proving to be a finishing playmaker. Max has solid balance and is able to absorb contact while on the move and control pucks on a string. He is utilized on the top of the power play to distribute the puck, as he can fire them through the house accurately and add touch if needed.”
Beckham Edwards, F, Sarnia Sting
Having previously signed a tender with the USHL’s Youngstown Phantoms in December, Edwards flipped his commitment to join the Sting.
Selected by the Sting in the third round of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection, Edwards scored 60 goals and added 37 assists for 97 points in 64 games with Little Caesars U15 AAA this past year.
Ranked as a 4.25 star prospect, Edwards was described as a forward with exceptional hockey IQ:
“Beckham is a good size left shot forward with exceptional hockey IQ. He keeps the play in front of him makes smart reads and just knows where to go without the puck. He moves to the right areas to provide support for his teammates and be able to get his stick on pucks.”
Ruslan Karimov, F, Sarnia Sting
One of two 2024 CHL Import Draft selections to recently commit to the Sting, Karimov joins the team after spending the majority of the 2023-24 season with Sputnik Almetievsk (MHL). Eligible for the 2025 NHL Draft, Karimov collected 22 points in 25 regular season games.
Jack Bodin, D, Sarnia Sting
The second Sting commit from the 2024 CHL Import Draft, Bodin joins the team after collecting 12 points in 46 regular season games with Örebro HK J20 (J20 Nationell) this past season.
Ranked as a four star prospect, Bodin appeared on NZ’s Top 300 for the NHL Draft, slotting in at 149.
Jesse Nurmi, F, London Knights
Drafted by the Knights in the first round of the 2024 CHL Import Draft, Nurmi spent most of the 2023-24 season playing for KooKoo (Liiga). A New York Islanders prospect, he collected two assists in 19 regular season games.
Given a player rating of four stars, Nurmi is described as an energy winger with good poise:
“Jesse is an energetic 5’11”, 165-pound left-shooting left winger. He displays good puck poise and makes sound decisions, adept at shifting and protecting the puck before finding open teammates to pass to.”
Filip Ekberg, F, Ottawa 67’s
Considered a first-round prospect for the 2025 NHL Draft, Ekberg was selected by the 67’s in the first round of the 2024 CHL Import Draft. Spending the most time with Almtuna IS J20 (J20 Nationell) last season, Ekberg had 29 points in 33 regular season games.
Ekberg is described as an exceptional playmaker and skater:
“Filip, standing at a bit undersized at 5’9, compensates with his exceptional work ethic, skating ability, and playmaking skills. His agility and quickness in the first three steps allow him to burst into the offensive zone and win foot races to loose pucks. However, his playmaking prowess is perhaps his most impressive attribute.”