Alumni Update: Eight former Warriors under NHL contract for next season is the most in program history

The 2024-25 NHL season will begin with eight former Warriors under active NHL contracts. That’s the most at one time in program history.

The newest players under NHL deals are recent grads Hugo Ollas (New York Rangers), Christian Felton (Vancouver Canucks), and Alex Jefferies (New York Islanders).

Ollas and Jefferies were drafted by their organizations and played AHL games after last year. Felton signed with Vancouver as an undrafted free agent in March.

Declan Carlile signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2022 as an undrafted free agent and recently signed a two-year extension with the team. Carlile, 24, made his NHL debut last season.

Zach Uens signed with the Florida Panthers in 2022. The Panthers drafted Uens in the third round. He’s primarily played in the AHL and ECHL since signing his entry-level contract.

Johnathan Kovacevic was traded to the New Jersey Devils earlier this month. He figures to be a member of their top-six in 2024-25 and continue climbing Merrimack’s all-time NHL games played list. Kovacevic is due to become a free agent after next season.

Brett Seney is back with the Chicago Blackhawks on a one-year extension. He signed a new deal that would pay him $500,000, even if he were assigned to the AHL. The agreement has a $525,000 guarantee. That makes him one of the highest-paid players in the league on a two-way contract. Over the last two seasons, Seney has been up and down between Chicago’s AHL affiliate and the Blackhawks.

Finally, goaltender Collin Delia found a new home with the Edmonton Oilers. He signed a one-year deal earlier this month and is guaranteed $425,000 this year on his one-way deal.