ECHL 2024-25 Season Preview: Worcester Railers

With so much not working towards the end of the year last year for the Worcester Railers, the team looks to start strong this season. The Worcester Railers enter the upcoming season with anticipation and opportunity. After a season filled with challenges, fans are eager to see how the team will build on their revamped team.

Training Camp

The team announced that they sent ten players to the American Hockey League camps for the 2024-25 season. From the Bridgeport Islanders, we have Goalie Michael Bullion, Forwards Joey Cipollone, Austin Heidemann, and Jordan Kaplan, along with Defensemen Mason Klee, Artyom Kulakov, and Ryan Verrier. From the Hartford Wolf Pack, we welcome Forward Matt DeMelis and Defenseman Griffin Luce. Lastly, from the Springfield Thunderbirds, we have Forward Anthony Callin.

The team also had announced the camp schedule. The first week of Worcester Railers Training Camp is open to the general public for free at the Fidelity Bank Worcester Ice Center. The first week of practice culminates in two preseason games, including one at the Worcester Ice Center on Saturday, October 12th at 7pm.

The team announced their training camp roster as well with 29 men making the cut. The eighteen forwards including Tommy Munichiello, Michael Wilson, Matthew Barnaby Jr., Jordan Kaplan, Brendan Ronan, Joey Cipollone, Andrei Bakanov, JD Dudek, Griffin Loughran, Austin Heidemann, Riley Piercey, Mike Egan, Colin Jacobs, Zack Nazzarett, Cole Donhauser, Matt DeMelis, Cole Crowder, Anthony Repaci. The team also has eight defensemen including Ryan Verrier, Anthony Hora, Billy Roche, Griffin Luce, Mason Klee, Ryan Dickinson, Connor Welsh and Artyom Kulakov. In addition the team has three goaltenders, Joe Spagnoli, Kevin Resop and John Muse.

Later on they added to that roster with Dilan Savenkov and Nick Pennucci. Savenkov previously played with the Trois-Rivieres Lions, Cincinnati Cyclones, Orlando Solar Bears and the Reading Royals where he scored seven points with three goals and four assists in 30 games played. Pennucci is a local where he spent the 2022-23 season with Worcester State University. He scored 20 goals and 25 assists for a total of 45 points in 102 total games played.

Defensemen

Here are some of the standouts among the defenseman, with players to look out for this season:

• Mason Klee: The defenseman signed with the Worcester Railers on March 22, 2024, during the 2023-24 season. He joined the team after appearing in five games with the San Jose Barracuda of the American Hockey League on an amateur tryout. He played games with the Railers last season, earning one assist and was recently signed to the team for the 2024-25 season.
• Ryan Verrier: Over the course of 58 games last season, he scored 4 goals and provided 12 assists, accumulating a total of 16 points. His performance contributed positively to his team’s success, as reflected in his plus/minus rating of 9.
• Artyom Kulakov: He has continuously shown his ability to contribute both offensively and defensively. He appeared in 61 games and netted four goals with eight assists, amassing a total of 12 points.
• Connor Welsh: Welsh played in 70 games last season, achieving 7 goals and 22 assists for a total of 29 points, paired with a minus-7 plus/minus rating and an impressive 363 penalty minutes. Welsh makes valuable contributions at both ends of the ice.

Forwards

The Worcester Railers boast a promising forward lineup for the 2024-25 season. The forward lineup has some dynamic playmakers and goal scorers. A major departure for the team, however, was forward Jack Quinlivan. He played ten games his rookie year before he was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer in December of 2022. After he missed the rest of the 2022-23 season to undergo treatment for his cancer, Jack received an invitation to the 2023-24 Railers Training Camp and earned a roster spot. He made his return to the Railers lineup for the first time in eleven months on November 10th, 2023 in St. John’s, Newfoundland against the Newfoundland Growlers.

Quinlivan recorded an assist in his first game played at the DCU Center since his return on November 17th, 2023 against the Cincinnati Cyclones. He was named an alternate captain for the Railers on March 1st, 2023. Quinlivan had a rocky career in Worcester, but he provided a spark plug and something for the team to rally around.

In light of this, players who had breakout seasons last year for the Railers are expected to step up even further and lead the charge offensively. Here are some standout players to keep an eye on:

• Anthony Callin: A vital asset for the Railers, Callin finished third on the team last season with 49 points, tied for first in assists with 35, and tied for second in games played with 671. His offensive talent and reliability make him a key player to watch.
• Austin Heidemann: Entering his first full rookie season with the Railers, Heidemann demonstrated promise during his seven games last season, netting one goal and accumulating two penalty minutes. He is anticipated to have a significant impact this year.
• Griffin Loughran: Loughran joins Worcester as a rookie after spending the 2023-24 season with the Savannah Ghost Pirates, where he tallied two assists in five games. His adjustment to the Railers will be intriguing to observe.
• Anthony Repaci: Recognized for his offensive talents and reliability, he participated in 42 games last season, netting 15 goals and contributing 16 assists, resulting in a total of 31 points. Last season, he was the team’s captain, his first with the team, as well as their top goal scorer and earning the franchise record, surpassing Barry Almeida,.

It is showing guys the commitment level and what it takes day in day out. Basically how to be a pro and I take pride in that.

– Anthony Repaci, 2024-25 Signing Interview, Worcester Railers You Tube

These players, along with the rest of the forward lineup, are set to make a strong impression in the upcoming season.

Goaltenders

• Michael Bullion: Joined the Savannah Ghost Pirates in February 2024, participating in 32 games. He recorded 15 wins, 10 losses, and 2 overtime losses. Bullion maintained a Goals Against Average (GAA) of 2.77 and a save percentage of .908, along with achieving one shutout. He was briefly loaned to the Henderson Silver Knights in the AHL for two games, achieving a record of 1-1-0, along with a goals against average (GAA) of 1.53 and a save percentage of .947. Throughout his ECHL career with Savannah and Norfolk, the goaltender held a record of 30 wins, 29 losses, and 4 overtime losses, along with a 3.19 goals-against average (GAA) and a .900 save percentage (SV%). The Railers acquired the goaltender through the trade with Savannah in July, that also included forward Jordan Kaplan.
• John Muse: Played 30 games last season with a record of 15 wins, 12 losses, and 2 overtime losses. Muse holds a Goals Against Average (GAA) of 2.77 and a save percentage of .898, along with one shutout this season. In the 23-24 season, Muse played 30 games for Worcester, achieving a goals against average of 2.77, a save percentage of .911, and a record of 15-12-2. His GAA of 2.77 ranked him tied for 12th in the ECHL. Over his career, Muse has been part of various teams in different leagues, including the Glasgow Clan in the UK Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) and the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the American Hockey League (AHL).
• Kevin Resop: Marks his fourth professional season this year. He has primarily played for the Quad City Storm in the SPHL but also made appearances in three ECHL games with Fort Wayne and Kansas City. During the 2022-23 season, he earned a spot on the SPHL Second All-Star Team. with a record of 28 wins, 32 losses, and three overtime losses in 66 career games, boasting a goals-against average of 2.77 and a save percentage of .913.
• Joe Spagnoli: Played for the Danbury Whalers from 2011 to 2013, where he recorded a career tally of 2 wins, 4 losses, and 1 tie, alongside a goals against average (GAA) of 6.144. He also had a stint with the Watertown Wolves during his time in the league. In 2017, Spagnoli contributed further to the sport by serving as a volunteer goalie coach for the Providence College women’s hockey team.

Team Leadership

The team last season made some leadership changes which should benefit them this year. Stephanie Ramey stepped down as Team President with Kim Golinski stepping up for the position as of August 1st. The Railers faced a disappointing conclusion to the 2023-24 season, ultimately missing the playoffs entirely. This led to the mutual decision to part ways with former Railers player and head coach Jordan Lavallee-Smotherman. The Railers are aiming to revitalize the team, beginning with changes in management. This transition includes former Worcester State Hockey coach Bob Deraney stepping in as the new head coach for the Railers.

Expectations

The Worcester Railers stand apart for many reasons which should give the fans much excitement heading into the new season. The Railers continue to focus on fostering meaningful relationships within the Worcester community. They host local events and engage with fans, creating a loyal and passionate fan base. A lot of the events are hosted at the DCU Center in Worcester with special event nights at the rink. As a professional hockey team in the ECHL, they embrace the local culture and spirit of Worcester, which helps them create a distinct identity within the ECHL. Beyond hockey, the Railers focus on providing an entertaining experience at games, with engaging promotions, themed nights, and activities that appeal to families and fans of all different ages. They emphasize developing players who can reach higher levels of professional hockey, showing talent and encouraging a strong work ethic. The Railers cultivate a positive team culture, showing the importance of teamwork and community, which resonates well with fans and contributes to an awesome atmosphere at games.

The expectations for Railers are incredibly high. With three years in a row falling short in the Kelly Cup playoff race, fans will expect nothing less of a Kelly Cup playoff spot for the Worcester Railers. The experience from players like captains Anthony Repaci and Connor Welsh allow versatility on the ice for the club.

The Worcester Railers opening weekend for the 2024-25 season is on October 19th. They will be kicking it off at home, at the DCU Center in Worcester. They will be battling it out that weekend against longtime rival the Reading Royals.