ECHL: Adirondack Thunder Signs 6’6 Rookie Goaltender and Re-Signs T.J. Friedmann

The Adirondack Thunder have announced that they have signed goaltender David Fessenden and re-signed forward T.J. Friedmann to contracts for the 2024-25 season. Fessenden comes in after spending five seasons at the NCAA level with the University of Alabama-Huntsville, the University of New Hampshire, and last season at Canisius College. In 79 games at the NCAA level, the Parker, Colorado native put up a 19-44-7 record with a 2.98 GAA, .903SV%, and two shutouts. Heading into next season, Fessenden will serve as the team’s third goaltender, a role that Vinnie Purpura played last season with Adirondack but was recently traded to the Reading Royals.

“David Fessenden joins us after a successful collegiate career with three separate schools,” added MacArthur. “He is 6-foot-6, has size you cannot teach and the athleticism to go with it. We are excited to see how his game translates to the professional level!”
-Head Coach Pete MacArthur on the signing of David Fessenden

T.J. Friedmann has re-signed with the Thunder as he’s coming off a year where he struggled with injuries, which limited him to only 26 games with Adirondack, where he put up six goals and four assists for 10 points and would add two assists in 14 Kelly Cup Playoff Games with the Thunder. He also spent three games at the AHL level with the Utica Comets, putting up one goal and one assist. There’s a lot to like about Friedmann, as he’s a guy who saw time down the middle with the Thunder and on the wing. Head Coach Pete MacArthur mentioned that he’s not sure how this deal will work out. Don’t be surprised if Friedmann ends up signing an AHL deal as well. He was on an AHL deal with Utica last season.

“T.J. Friedmann provides energy and character on and off the ice, creates depth at the center position and is used on both the power play and primarily the penalty kill,” said Head Coach Pete MacArthur. “He is huge to our culture and will look to build on an injury plagued rookie season!”
-Head Coach Pete MacArthur on the re-signing of Friedmann

These two signings replace the two bodies that the Thunder traded away. Friedmann plays very similarly to how Travis Broughman played, and Fessenden, as previously mentioned, will serve as the team’s third goaltender next season.

insidetherink.com/join-us

Discover more from Inside The Rink

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Armand Klisivitch

Inside The Rink ECHL Manager | Senior Editor Credentialed Reporter for the Adirondack Thunder & Worcester Railers.

Leave a Reply

ECHL: Allen Americans Sign Thomas Caron

The Allen Americans have announced that they’ve signed forward Thomas Caron for the 2025-26 season. Caron, 28, played in 31 games with the Idaho Steelheads, putting up eight goals and 18 assists for 26 points. In January, he would be traded to the Indy Fuel before being suspended by the team just two days later. […]

Read More

ECHL: Cole Fraser Joins Worcester Railers

The Worcester Railers have announced that they’ve signed defenseman Cole Fraser for the 2025-26 season. Fraser, 25, played in 35 games last season with the Allen Americans, where he put up two goals and two assists for four points along with 88 PIMS. The addition of Fraser will add some toughness to the Railers’ blueline […]

Read More
Nick Jermain skating for the Maine Mariners

ECHL: Nick Jermain Heads Overseas

Maine Mariners forward Nick Jermain is set to join the Blue Devils Weiden in Germany next season after finishing his third stint in Portland. Last season, Jermain was a regular in the Mariners’ lineup, appearing in 60 games. He recorded six goals and 10 assists for 16 points, while also logging 38 penalty minutes and […]

Read More