Schmelzer Signs NHL Deal with New Jersey

Former Canisius hockey forward Ryan Schmelzer has agreed to terms on a two-year, two-way contract with the New Jersey Devils, the organization announced on Tuesday.

The announcement was made by President/General Manager Tom Fitzgerald and Devils' Assistant General Manager/Utica Comets General Manager Dan MacKinnon.

The contract is the first NHL deal for Schmelzer, who recently completed his sixth season with New Jersey's AHL affiliate, splitting those years between Binghamton and the Utica Comets from 2018-19 to 2023-24.

The forward led Utica with 52 points (18g-34a) in 72 games last season, which set a new career-high for Schmelzer at the AHL level. His plus/minus rating of +14 led the Comets, while his three shorthanded goals ranked second on the team. Schmelzer was the lone Utica skater who played in all 72 games of the 2023-24 season. He also served as the team's captain for a third consecutive season.

A four-year member of the Canisius program, Schmelzer skated in 143 games with the Golden Griffins, recording 40 goals and 66 assists for 106 points. The 2016-17 AHA Defensive Forward of the Year and a two-time All-AHA selection, Schmelzer helped Canisius claim its first AHA regular-season title in 2016-17 and also helped the squad advance to the semifinals of the AHA Postseason in back-to-back seasons (2017, 2018). Schmelzer was also named team captain for his senior season, a campaign that saw him garner Senior Class Award First Team All-American accolades.

A native of Buffalo, NY, Schmelzer has earned 174 career points (65g-109) in 337 regular-season games in the AHL. He played in the Calder Cup Playoffs with Utica in 2021-22 and 2022-23 and earned six points (4g-2a) in 11 career postseason games.

Like Canisius Athletics and Griffs Hockey on Facebook
Follow @GoGriffs and @Griffshockey on X (formally known as Twitter)
Follow @GoGriffs and @Griffshockey on Instagram

Print Friendly Version