The Adirondack Thunder are staying busy on Tuesday afternoon, as they’ve announced their head coach and assistant coach, and have now extended qualifying offers to six players. Qualifying offers were due at 11:59 last night. Of the six players given qualifying offers, two of them have already signed to play overseas next season. Teams are allowed to protect up to eight players. Any player already signed to a contract does not need a qualifying offer. Teams that extend a valid qualifying offer to a non-veteran player shall retain the rights to that qualified player for one playing season.
Forwards Who Got Qualifying Offers
Kaleb Ergang– The 24-year-old forward signed in the EIHL with the Manchester Storm on June 19th. In 13 games with the Thunder, he put up six goals and three assists for nine points. He spent his collegiate career at Ferris State University, where he put up 17 goals and 32 assists for 49 points in 109 games.
T.J. Friedmann– In 58 games last season, Friedmann had 12 goals and 10 assists for 22 points. The 27-year-old forward has struggled with injuries over the last couple of seasons, but has seen time centering the second and third line for Adirondack. If Friedmann can stay healthy, expect him to be a solid middle-six piece for the Thunder next season.
Adam Robbins– The Alpine, NJ, native is heading into his second season in the ECHL after putting up nine goals and four assists for 13 points in 51 games last season with the Tahoe Knight Monsters. Robbins, 25, would be traded to the Adirondack Thunder to complete the trade for Adrien Bisson.
Sean Gulka– The 6’3, 205lb forward made his return to the ECHL last season, playing in 34 games with the Thunder while putting up two goals and three assists for five points along with 120 penalty minutes. Prior to joining Adirondack, Gulka had spent four seasons with the Pensacola Ice Flyers (SPHL), where he had 12 goals and 13 assists for 25 points along with 214 PIMS in 74 games. If re-signed, he would continue to bring more of his toughness and physical play to the Thunder lineup.
Defenseman Who Got Qualifying Offers
Ryan Conroy– There’s a lot to like about the 24-year-old defenseman who is coming off his first full season in the ECHL. In 71 games with the Thunder, he put up eight goals and 21 assists for 29 points, as he led all Thunder defensemen in goals, assists, and points. Conroy also led Adirondack in games played. Heading into next season, I would expect the Chestermere, Alberta, native to once again find himself in the Thunder’s top 4.
Dennis Busby– The 25-year-old defenseman made the jump to the ECHL at the end of last season after finishing his collegiate career at St.Mary’s University (USports). In 12 games between the Thunder and Fort Wayne Komets, Busby put up one goal and two assists for three points, with all of his points coming as a member of the Thunder. The Barrie, Ontario, native has signed to play overseas in the EIHL with the Manchester Storm next season.
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