Inside The Rink

The Wichita Thunder announced that they have re-signed forward Michal Stínil along with defensemen T.J. Lloyd and Kirby Proctor for the 2026-27 season. Stínil, 27, has been a key part of Wichita’s roster since the 2021-22 season. The 2026-27 season will be Stínil’s sixth season playing with the Wichita Thunder. In 301 games with the Thunder, he has recorded 117 goals and 179 assists for 296 points. He added one goal and one assist in four playoff games during the 2024-25 season.

Andrew Fielder/InsideTheRink The Henderson Silver Knights have hired Alex Loh as one of their assistant coaches for the 2026-27 season. Loh, 41, has spent the last two seasons with the ECHL Affiliate, the Tahoe Knight Monsters, leading the team to a 76-55-13 record with back-to-back Kelly Cup playoff appearances. He will join Joel Ward behind the Silver Knights bench after Ryan Craig was promoted to become the Head Coach of the Vegas Golden Knights after spending three seasons in Henderson.

Scott W. Grau/Toledo Walleye The Cincinnati Cyclones have re-signed defenseman Kurtis Henry for the 2026-27 season. Henry, 26, began his career with the Florida Everblades at the end of the 2024-25 season. In 36 games with the Everblades, he had five assists in 37 games before being traded to Cincinnati in Febuary. During his short stint with the Cyclones he had an assist in 20 games. Henry becomes the second player signed by the Cyclones for the 2026-27 season.

Andrew Pustay - Inside The Rink The Hartford Wolf Pack today signed forward Justin Nachbaur to a one-year contract for the 2026-27 season. He appeared in 31 games last season for the Hershey Bears, recording three points on two goals and an assist. He was a minus-ten with a game-winning goal and 114 penalty minutes. In 16 games with South Carolina in the ECHL, he had two goals, was a minus-four, and had 60 penalty minutes. In ten playoff games, he had six points on a goal and six assists.

Shawn Block - Inside The Rink The Grand Rapids Griffins today announced they’re signing forward Tag Bertuzzi to a one-year contract for the 2026-27 season. Tag’s father, Todd, played for the Red Wings organization in 2006-07 and against them from 2009-2014. His cousin Tyler was drafted by the Red Wings 58th overall in 2013 and spent some time also in Grand Rapids. Purchase tickets via Ticketmaster Tag, last season in 38 games for Adirondack in the ECHL, had 31 points on 16 goals and 15 assists.

Photo Credit: NHL.com The Toronto Maple Leafs GM John Chayka is reportedly set to make a major addition to his front office. Most people were not surprised when the Maple Leafs fired Brad Treliving as the general manager. However, many were shocked when MLSE hired John Chayka as his replacement. Since the hiring of Chayka, the team has seen many changes. Most recently, in the front office. Following the NHL draft, Toronto fired 14 front office staff members.

The Columbus Blue Jackets are counting on core players to push the team into a playoff spot Close does not matter. The Columbus Blue Jackets have come close the past two seasons to earning a playoff spot, only to fall out of contention. Don Waddell has only added marginally so far this summer. Waddell is sending a clear message to the Blue Jackets: if you want in the playoffs, the core players need to seize the moment and not shrink from it.

John Gramlich - Inside The Rink The Hershey Bears have some additions to their roster as they’re reportedly signing forwards Landon McCallum and Cam Morrison. They have also reportedly signed defenseman Noah Beck. Purchase tickets via Ticketmaster McCallum appeared in three games for the Coachella Firebirds last season but was held pointless and was a minus-two. He appeared in 55 games for Kansas City in the ECHL. McCallum had 43 points on 13 goals and 30 assists.

Carlos Osorio/AP The Detroit Red Wings surprised everyone this morning as it was announced they’ve made a change in hockey operations leadership. Steve Yzerman will be transitioning from his role as Executive Vice President and General Manager. He will now be a senior advisor to Governor and CEO Chris Ilitch. The Red Wings will now be searching for a head of hockey operations. The search has begun and will be led by Chris Ilitch. The team is considering all options, both internal and external.

More contract signings were announced in Toronto over the past few days. However, it wasn’t the Toronto Maple Leafs this time; it was the Toronto Marlies. The Calder Cup champions are looking ahead to defending their crown during the 2026-27 season. They announced the re-signings of goaltender Ken Appleby and forward Sam Stevens. The Marlies also signed five other free agents. Joining the Marlies are defensemen Ben Meehan and Matt Anderson, and forwards Ross Mitton, Matt Copponi, and Sawyer Boulton.