Hamilton Hammers Sign Goaltender Ryan Fanti, Defenceman Ryan Healey to AHL Contracts

July 19, 2026 - Hamilton, Ontario - The Hamilton Hammers announced today that they have signed goaltender Ryan Fanti and defenceman Ryan Healey to one-way American Hockey League contracts. Fanti, 26, hails from Thunder Bay, Ontario, and spent the 2025-26 season with the Syracuse Crunch. Appearing in 27 games, he posted a 2.41 goals-against average and a .905 save percentage, helping the Crunch qualify for the Calder Cup Playoffs. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound goaltender has appeared in 43 career AHL games over five seasons with Syracuse and... Full Story

Penguins Announce Florida Everblades as ECHL Affiliate

July 19, 2026 - The Pittsburgh Penguins today named the Florida Everblades as the organization's ECHL affiliate, President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Kyle Dubas announced. "The Penguins are excited to partner with the Florida Everblades, who are one of the premier organizations in the ECHL," said Penguins Assistant General Manager Jason Spezza. "As an organization, our player development system puts a strong emphasis on a three-tiered development model between the NHL, AHL and ECHL, and we feel that Florida's championship ... Full Story

Griffins Sign Reigning ECHL MVP Marcus Crawford

July 19, 2026 - GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The Grand Rapids Griffins signed defenseman Marcus Crawford to a one-year contract for the 2026-27 season. Crawford was named the 2025-26 ECHL Defenseman of the Year and MVP when he led the league with 86 points (14-72-86) and 72 assists in 70 regular-season games with the Kansas City Mavericks to go along with 125 penalty minutes and a plus-49 rating. The 29-year-old then totaled 14 points (2-12-14) in 17 postseason games, leading the Mavericks to the 2026 Kelly Cup Finals. Crawford has spent six se... Full Story

Jussi Ahokas Named Colorado Eagles Head Coach

July 17, 2026 - DENVER - The Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club announced today the organization has hired Jussi Ahokas as the head coach of the franchise's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Colorado Eagles Ahokas replaces Mark Letestu, who was hired by the Vegas Golden Knights as an assistant coach. Overall, Ahokas becomes the fourth head coach in the Eagles' AHL history, joining Greg Cronin (2018-23), Aaron Schneekloth (2023-25) and Letestu (2025-26). Cronin left the Eagles to become head coach of the Anaheim Ducks while Schne... Full Story

• Hamilton Hammers Sign Goaltender Ryan Fanti, Defenceman Ryan Healey to AHL Contracts - Hamilton Hammers (AHL) July 19
  
• Penguins Announce Florida Everblades as ECHL Affiliate - Florida Everblades (ECHL) July 19
  
• Griffins Sign Reigning ECHL MVP Marcus Crawford - Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) July 19
  
• Jussi Ahokas Named Colorado Eagles Head Coach - Colorado Eagles (AHL) July 17
  
• Abbotsford Canucks Name Ryan Papaioannou Fourth Head Coach in Team History - Abbotsford Canucks (AHL) July 17
  
• Icemen Bolster Blue Line with the Return of Jed Pietila - Jacksonville Icemen (ECHL) July 17
  
• Goatheads Add Lynden Breen to Inaugural Roster - New Mexico Goatheads (ECHL) July 17
  
• Knight Monsters Add First Newcomer with Signing of Russell - Tahoe Knight Monsters (ECHL) July 17
  
• Dawgs Sign Sirota for the 2026-2027 Season - Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs (SPHL) July 17
  
• Florida Agrees to Terms with Defenseman Sean Allen - Florida Everblades (ECHL) July 17
  
• Trevor Janicke Joins Swamp Rabbits in 2026-27 - Greenville Swamp Rabbits (ECHL) July 17
  
• Icemen Unveil New Logo and Team Colors - Jacksonville Icemen (ECHL) July 16
  
• Jimmy Soper Accepts Head Coaching Job at Baton Rouge - Knoxville Ice Bears (SPHL) July 16
  
• Eric Parker Re-Signs with Rush - Rapid City Rush (ECHL) July 16
  
• Kelly Cup Champion Isaac Dufort Returns to the Lions - Trois-Rivieres Lions (ECHL) July 16
  
• All Today's Minor League Hockey News

Defenseman Marcus Crawford with the Kansas City Mavericks (Kansas City Mavericks)
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OurSports Central provides coverage of the following independent and minor league minor league hockey organizations:

American Hockey League (AHL)
ECHL (ECHL)
SPHL (SPHL)
Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL)

• Abbotsford Canucks hire Ryan Papaioannou as new head coach - AHL Abbotsford News (July 18)
  
• Florida Everblades become Pittsburgh Penguins' ECHL affiliate - ECHL WINK (July 18)
  
• New Mexico Goatheads add another forward to roster - ECHL Albuquerque Journal (July 18)
  
• ECHL's Jacksonville Icemen Mark 10th Anniversary With New Suite of Logos - ECHL Sports Logos Net News (July 17)
  
• Jussi Ahokas Hired As Colorado Eagles AHL Head Coach - AHL Colorado Hockey Now (July 17)
  
• Abbotsford Canucks' Google numbers decrease year-over-year - AHL Abbotsford News (July 17)
  
• Kitchener Rangers head coach Jussi Ahokas moves on to AHL - AHL Waterloo Record (July 17)
  
• Pittsburgh Penguins name Kelly Cup champion Florida Everblades ECHL affiliate - ECHL Fort Myers News-Press (July 17)
  
• Penguins, Nailers affiliation ends after nearly three decades - ECHL Steubenville Herald-Star (July 17)
  
• Pittsburgh Penguins name Florida Everblades as new ECHL affiliate - ECHL WINK (July 17)
  
• Mavericks re-sign veteran defenseman Jake McLaughlin - ECHL Independence Examiner (July 17)
  
• Moose add pair of depth forwards - AHL Winnipeg Sun (July 17)
  
• All Today's Minor League Hockey Headlines