The Adirondack Thunder made two moves on Monday as they signed forward Nick Hutchison to a standard player contract and added defencemen Kelly Summers to the roster. Let’s now go in-depth on what these moves mean for the Thunder during their stretch run.
Hutchison Joins Thunder
Hutchison joins the Thunder after spending the past four years playing for the Canisius College Griffins. The 24-year-old forward is coming off his best season as he put up 18 goals and 14 assists for 32 points in 31 games. Nick is a 6’2 forward who has a left-handed shot.
This is expected to be a trial run for Hutchinson who will likely look to make the Thunder’s roster next season. He is also one of 75+ nominees for the Hobby Baker Award for the best college hockey player in the country.
As Hutchison was just signed on Monday, it wouldn’t be a shock if he was in the lineup on Tuesday.
Summer Time In Back In Glens Falls
Along with the Hutchison move, the Thunder also announced that Kelly Summers will be rejoining the Thunder after he was released from his professional tryout with the AHL’s Binghamton Devils. Summers had a goal in nine games while playing for the Devils in Southern New York.
He had eight goals and 14 assists for 22 points in 43 games earlier this season with the Adirondack Thunder before being called up to Binghamton. This move allows the Thunder to scratch Alex Jaeckle who had a sub-par series in Newfoundland while Adirondack got swept by the Growlers. During the St. John’s visit, he recorded five penalties over the course of two games.
Summers brings offensive power to the Thunder blue-line which has been led this year by Charlie Curti whose been producing most of the offence from the point. Adding Summers to the lineup will be a huge boost to the Thunder for the final stretch run.
Injuries Continue For The Thunder
Despite getting Robbie Payne back from injury early this week, the Thunder announced that two more players have been placed on injured reserve. Forwards Ludvig Larsson and Nikita Popugaev were both put on injured reserve on Monday as well as defensemen Tommy Parran who was put on reserve to make room for the other transaction Adirondack made on Monday.