Millers Musings 2026=2027 Season Preview

 A late trade dramatically resets the team expectations for the Millers.

Before the exhibition season opened, Georgetown was predicted to be the 13th best team in the

CCHL. Club management hopes the acquisition of Sebastian Aho (along with Jake DeBrusk) is

enough to propel the team into the overall top 10 at minimum and to secure a playoff spot.

Goalkeepers

Lukas Dostal

Phillip Grubauer

This is likely to be a time share/hot hand situation, with the Millers hoping for 60/40 split

between Dostal and Grubauer. If both can keep their save percentages just above or at league

average it should be enough to get the job done. Tristan Jarry is the 3rd keeper and would only

see time if an injury occurred.

Defenseman

Predicted Pairings:

Jackson LaCombe - Shea Theodore

Miley Anderson - John Marino

Jalen Chatfield - Ryan Shea

On paper it looks to be a solid unit at even-strength and on both special teams. The top 4 can all

log heavy minutes, and if needed Chatfield and Shea can play up the lineup without any

discernible drop-off in quality. Nikolas Matinpalo and Henri Jokoharju are available for spot duty

as needed.

Forwards

Predicted Lines (C-LW-RW):

Sebastian Aho - Logan Cooley - Dylan Guenther

Dylan Cozens - Pierre-Luc DuBois - Jake DeBrusk

Jordan Staal - Andrew Copp - Victor Arvidsson

Thomas Novak - Eetu Luostarinen - Macus Johansson

The additions of Aho and DeBrusk solidified the top 6, pushing Copp and Johansson into

bottom 6 roles. PLD, Copp and Johansson are likely to move around and swap lineup spots a

bit depending on production and opponents. The biggest question mark is who is centering the

4th line; Novak as the veteran is expected to get the first crack, but 2nd year man Marco Kasper

and rookie Ryan Greene may also get early looks. In addition to the 2 young Centers Michael

Carcone and Colin Blackwell are around as depth options on the wing. That depth may come in

handy as Cooley and PLD both have major injury concerns.

Millers Musings - September 20, 2026

 Reviewing a huge trade…

9/16/26) CHP trades Sebastian Aho & Jake DeBrusk to GEO for

Morgan Rielly, Braeden Bowman, Berkly Catton, Matthew Wood,

Axel Sandin-Pellikka, CHP 5th-27, AMO 10th-27, CHC 10th-27 &

VGN 10th-27…

Millers add a top line Center and top 6 Winger for a vet, 4 rookies

and some late round picks. A look first at those who were moved

out…

Berkly Catton was Georgetown’s first round pick in the 2024 draft,

4th overall. Millers viewed him as a sure-fire top 6 player and he’s

still plenty young enough to accomplish that. The club had not

soured on the player; it’s more a reflection of his NHL club being

less than reassuring in their ability to recognize and utilize talent.

Catton could spend this season in the AHL to get the ice time he

sorely needs as opposed to playing on the 3rd line and 2nd PP

unit with the likes of Frederic Gaudreau, being lucky to get 15

minutes a night.

Sandin-Pellikka is also hampered by an NHL organization that

resembles a dumpster fire lately. The 15th overall selection in the

2023 CCHL entry draft, the offensive Dman debuted last year in

the NHL, hamstrung by a veteran partner who did not compliment

his game at all and eventually sent to the minors once a veteran

was acquired. ASP is another that’s facing a reduced role in the

NHL (3rd pairing and 2nd PP unit) or getting valuable minutes on

a top pair and quarterbacking the PP in the AHL. He can still be a

2nd unit, PP asset but isn’t in a good spot currently.

Wood’s NHL club actually seems to have a bit of a clue, and he

shocked many by immediately cementing a middle 6 role with the

Predators and goes into this NHL season locked in to a 2nd line

spot. Despite not being a great skater and previous concerns

about his off puck play and motor he adapted well when moved to

Center and his shot should see him reach 30 goals or more in the

next couple of seasons.

Bowman was just picked up in the waiver draft. He’s gone from

undrafted UFA to middle-six contributor for a team with Stanley

Cup aspirations. Has far less star potential then Catton, ASP or

Wood but should be a steady player for years.

None of the 4 rookies were expected to see much of any ice-time

with the Millers this season.

Rielly was acquired early in the offseason from Chippewa for

Colton Sissons. His spot in the D lineup will be taken by Ryan

Shea.

Now for the additions…

Sebastian Aho, 29, is a first-line Center who plays an all-around,

200 foot game. There’s literally nothing he does not do well on the

ice. Though not a huge scorer he’s safely around a point per

game and with his early line mates appearing to be Logan Cooley

and Dylan Guenther he should not have any issues putting up

points. He’s RFA after the season.

Jake DeBrusk, also 29, plays both wings and loves to shoot the

puck. He is an excellent skater and though not a Selke threat is

respectable defensively. He is currently slated to play RW on the

Cozens line and see time on the 2nd PP unit. He is signed for 1

more season after this.

Thoughts from the Commissioner's Desk

 Another offseason has passed us by, and we are on the cusp of yet another CCHL hockey season.  Oh, where does the time go?  

It's been an off-season of change in the CCHL, with a lot of new features added to the website this season. I'm really excited about the goalie usage tracker, CCHL Corsi, Award frontrunners, and who doesn't love knowing what happened on this day in the CCHL?  

There's also CCHL radio for those that want to listen to the results in their car on the way to the office or while they work.  I'm not sure that there is another league out there doing what we are doing, and I'm proud of our advancements this summer.  

In all seriousness, I think that these extra tools give those who choose to utilize them more information to examine their teams and evaluate what's working and what's not working regularly.  There can also be zero excuses at this point for goalie overuse, as well, seeing as it's running live after every game now. 

Despite all of these added features, I'd say this offseason was also amongst one of our worst for our General Managers in terms of completing milestones.  

What do I mean by that?  It means submitting position adds, rookie contracts/M designations, and the waiver draft.  

While I'll never understand not wanting to acquire free prospects by submitting a list, I respect that not everyone wants to participate, as it is voluntary.  Position adds in a similar fashion, as I don't understand why a team wouldn't want to have a versatile lineup, but I respect the time it takes.  

The one I struggle most with is the rookie contract and M designation submissions.  We had a record number (two) teams not submit this year and another two sets that were not remotely close to providing the information required.  It's a tough blow for bonus money, and I'm guessing that those parties aren't likely reading this blog either.  The weird part for me is that this information is out there on the website and can be retrieved via email.  If one isn't sure, why not ask for an example of how to submit it?  I'm not trying to be critical but rather want to understand where the disconnect is to fix it going forward.  

That's enough negativity for now.  

One thing that will be worked on in the next while is our own CCHL Draft site since onlinedraft decided to kill everyone's logins and our league history on it.  

While I ventured down this road almost a year ago using AI, it was a monumental task to try to get done, but I believe with the advancements in AI (they better not destroy humans!), this task is much easier.  I've got a fully packaged draft site already built to do what onlinedraft.com could do with some added features.  Hey, if I'm building it, I might as well improve it too!  

I'll be working on that over the next few weeks and will be looking for a couple of people to help beta test it with me.  If you're interested, shoot me an email or message on Slack (or however you contact me).  

I think that's it for now!  It's preseason week followed up by the return of an 84-game CCHL season.  Good luck to everyone this season.  

Game on!  

-The Commish

Millers Off-Season Transactions (CCHL Draft through September 12)

 (6/30/26) FOR trades  Malte Gustafsson-p & Thomas Vandenberg-

p to GEO for GEO 2nd-27, Adam Valentini-p and Ryder Cali-p…

As discussed in the draft review, Georgetown acquired

Gustafsson and Vandenberg with picks acquired from Fort Erie.

Time will tell but this could end up being a steal for the Millers.

(8/05/26) CHP trades Jonathan Castagna-p & CHP 5th-27 to GEO

for Alexander Bilecki-p…

The Millers flipped Bilecki shortly after drafting him to Chippewa

for Castagna. Castagna is entering the professional ranks this

season after a very good NCAA career. Although Castagna’s

ceiling isn’t terribly high he should have a decent career as a

bottom six Center at minimum.

(9/4/26) CHP trades C. Blackwell to GEO for Keean

Washkurak-p…

On the lookout for some additional depth on the RW and on the

PK the Millers dealt AHL vet Washkurak for the journeyman

Blackwell. There won’t be much in the way of offense when in the

lineup but the 33 year old will provide solid effort defensively with

speed and forechecking. He’s UFA after this season.

(9/12/26) GEO selects Braden Bowman, Martin Psohlavec & Yegor

Rybkin in Waiver Draft…

Bowman rose from undrafted obscurity to nail down a bottom 6

spot with Vegas last NHL season and was recently awarded a 6

year contract extension. Looked to at least be a middle 6

contributor for the Golden Knights moving forward, the Millers

decided to use their first pick in the Waiver Draft to add him to

their RW depth, with a path forward for regular playing time in the

27-28 season for Georgetown with Johansson and Arvidsson

likely leaving as UFAs.

Psohlvavec and Rybkin were passed over in the 2026 CCHL draft

but the Goalies were picked 62nd and 89th overall respectively in

the NHL draft. Psohlvavec is a 6’5 Czechian playing in the WHL,

and Rybkin is a 6’6 Russian playing in the OHL. Both add depth

to a Millers system that was lacking in goalkeeping futures.

Springfield Isotopes Announce Coaching Change... Again

 TLDR: SPR staff was sending coach change request to the wrong email address.

The Springfield Isotopes organization wishes to provide an update regarding the status of Head Coach Luke Richardson, who was originally hired in May 2024 and has somehow managed to remain employed despite repeated efforts to the contrary.

The first request to replace Richardson was formally submitted to the CCHL Commissioner on July 6, 2026. Confident that the matter would soon be resolved, the organization began evaluating replacement candidates, discussing a new direction, and generally acting as though a coaching change was imminent.

Unfortunately, Richardson remained behind the bench.

A second request was submitted on September 2, 2026, at which point team officials became concerned that the original correspondence had either been lost in cyberspace or trapped in the same administrative vortex that occasionally swallows trade approvals and rule clarifications.

"We're not blaming the Commissioner," stated an Isotopes spokesperson. "We're just saying that if someone checked League Headquarters and discovered Luke locked in a broom closet holding the coaching records hostage, we wouldn't be completely shocked."

Sources indicate Richardson continues to carry out his duties despite technically existing in a state somewhere between employed, unemployed, and forgotten. Team executives describe the situation as "the hockey equivalent of a Windows update that says 99% complete for three hours."

The organization would like to emphasize that this is not a reflection on Coach Richardson's character. In fact, surviving two termination requests over a span of two months demonstrates a level of job security rarely seen in professional sports. Most coaches are fired after a bad losing streak. Richardson appears capable of surviving the actual firing itself.

At this time, the Springfield Isotopes remain hopeful that the requested change will eventually be processed. Until then, Luke Richardson will continue serving as head coach, assistant coach, and apparently the immovable object upon which all CCHL administrative procedures are tested.

A third email is currently being considered. Management is debating whether to mark it as "High Importance" or simply attach a crowbar.

SPRINGFIELD

Season Preview: Top 10 goalies in the CCHL for 26-27 (FOR blog)

 *Rankings are built from each goalie's overall rating and underlying tools — rebound control, agility, reaction time, size, and hand speed — pulled from the league's roster page. Wins, save percentage, and GAA are projections, not results: workload is split against each team's actual goalie depth chart, and the shots-against and win-percentage inputs are scaled to that team's projected strength from the season preview. Treat the numbers as an educated guess at how the season plays out, not a promise.*

Forward talent might be what gets a fanbase excited in August, but a look across all 22 CCHL rosters says the same thing it says most years: the teams built to actually contend are the ones that can also stop the puck. Four different clubs enter the season with a goalie rated 87 or better, and every one of them cracks the top five of the overall standings projection. Here's how the CCHL's ten best pencil out heading into the year.

### 1. Scott Wedgewood, Amos Comets

Wedgewood grades out as the best all-around goalie in the league, and it isn't close on tools — elite hands (90 HS), plane-clearing agility (89 AG), and reaction time (88 RT) that lets him get to pucks a beat before most starters even see them. He's the single biggest reason a team with no assigned general manager still projects near the top of the standings. **Projection: 70 GP, 45-25, .925 SV%, 2.04 GAA.**

### 2. Logan Thompson, Victoria Ronin

Thompson's calling card is rebound control — an 88 rating there is tied for the best in the league — which matters enormously behind a Ronin blue line that's solid but not overwhelming. He won't blow you away with flash, but he doesn't give second chances, and that's exactly the profile a team leaning on offense from Zibanejad, Horvat and Panarin needs in net. **Projection: 70 GP, 43-27, .925 SV%, 2.09 GAA.**

### 3. Andrei Vasilevskiy, Chattahoochee Crawdads

Still built like a battleship (89 SZ) and still one of the best in the business at swallowing rebounds (88 RB), Vasilevskiy is the anchor that lets a stacked Crawdads forward group play fast without worrying about the other end. His agility rating has ticked down a bit from his absolute peak, which is the only thing separating him from the very top of this list. **Projection: 70 GP, 45-25, .925 SV%, 2.04 GAA.**

### 4. Igor Shesterkin, Halifax Norsemen

The best goalie on the best team in the CCHL. Shesterkin's hands (90 HS) are as good as anyone's in the league, and he's the final piece that turns a loaded Halifax lineup — Necas, Celebrini, Guentzel, Crosby — from a good team into the favorite. **Projection: 66 GP, 43-23, .924 SV%, 2.06 GAA.**

### 5. Jeremy Swayman, Fort Erie Falcons

Swayman gives the Falcons a legitimate difference-maker behind an already-elite top six, with reflexes and agility that both grade in the low-80s and hold up shot after shot. John Gibson is a perfectly good backup, but this is Swayman's net, and the workload projection reflects it. **Projection: 57 GP, 37-20, .921 SV%, 2.14 GAA.**

### 6. Dan Vladar, Las Vegas Aces

Here's the outlier on this list: Vladar's individual tools are right there with the top five — good size (87 SZ), good hands (87 HS) — but he's also the *only* goalie on the Aces' roster. That means a season-long workhorse projection with no relief in sight, and offensively the Aces don't give him much cover. Wins will come harder here than the pure talent suggests. **Projection: 76 GP, 43-33, .921 SV%, 2.32 GAA.**

### 7. Anton Forsberg, Fergus Flapping Kilts

Forsberg is the classic high-floor veteran: nothing about his profile jumps off the page, but agility (83) and reaction time (80) are both comfortably above average, and he's playing behind one of the deeper, more veteran-laden rosters in the league. Expect a lot of quietly effective nights. **Projection: 55 GP, 32-23, .918 SV%, 2.38 GAA.**

### 8. Jesper Wallstedt (R), Wisborg Donuts

The highest-graded rookie goalie in the CCHL, and not by accident — his reaction time (84) is actually the best of anyone in this top ten. The catch is that Wisborg is still splitting the net closely with veteran Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, so Wallstedt's workload comes in lighter than his talent alone would suggest. If he takes the job outright by midseason, this projection undersells him. **Projection: 47 GP, 27-20, .917 SV%, 2.43 GAA.**

### 9. Joel Hofer, Chippawa Crackerjacks

Hofer's rebound control (82) is the best asset in his game, which pairs nicely with a Crackerjacks blue line — Trouba, Skjei, Faulk — built to clear traffic in front of him. He's clearly the workhorse over Cam Talbot, and the starts reflect it. **Projection: 66 GP, 36-30, .917 SV%, 2.51 GAA.**

### 10. Philipp Grubauer, Georgetown Millers

Grubauer rounds out the top ten on the strength of solid, unspectacular tools across the board — nothing below average, nothing elite. On a Millers team still finding its identity in front of him, that steadiness has real value, even if the win total won't be gaudy. **Projection: 53 GP, 28-25, .917 SV%, 2.51 GAA.**

*Just missing the cut: Ilya Sorokin (Parry Sound Orrsmen), who splits time closely enough with Jet Greaves that neither gets the workload to crack this list outright — watch that timeshare if one of them takes the net and runs with it.*

Millers Draft Review

 The Picks

Viggo Bjorck, C (1-6)

Malte Gustaffson, D (1-24)

Thomas Vandenberg, C (3-64)

Noah Kosick, C (5-90)

Alexander Bielecki, D(5-94)

Zach Olsen, RW (5-110)

Matthew Minchak, G (6-116)

Alexei Vlasov, LW (7-138)

Ludvig Johnson,D (8-160)

Mans Josbrant, LW (9-182)

Viggo Bjorck - Millers management loves his motor and his fearlessness and feel that the worst

case scenario is a high-end 2nd line Center and top PP unit contributor. He’s small but does not

play that way. Potential future captain material.

Malte Gustaffson - Millers had him as the 12th best prospect in the draft and worked out a deal

with Fort Erie to acquire this pick and some later ones in this draft in exchange for their 2027

2nd rounder and a couple of 2026 3rd rounders. A steal at 24th overall. Should be a top 4

shutdown D at his peak with good puck moving skills if not a big point producer.

Thomas Vandenberg - Probably tops out as a 3rd line Center and penalty-killer who won’t

embarrass himself if temporarily playing up in the lineup. Another one with a high motor and

also excellent hockey sense.

Noah Kosick - A bit of a reach at his draft spot, but has tantalizing offensive upside. Has one

more year in the WHL before moving to Michigan so he has time to put on some weight and

improve his defense and off-puck play.

Alexander Bielecki - Traded to Chippewa later in the summer, but the Millers liked his long-

range potential as a bottom 4 D-man with some length and a developing offensive game.

Zach Olsen - High-character worker bee type of forward who utilizes his great skating to

terrorize opponents on the forecheck. Likely a bottom 6 penalty killer at the top level.

Matthew Minchak - 6’5 OHL Goalkeeper who is at best a half-decade away from anyone

knowing what he’ll be. A worthwhile flyer since goalies are voodoo.

Alexei Vlasov - High scoring QMJHL winger who is small, not a great skater and not a good

defender. The hope is that the NCAA can iron out the kinks and that the offense translates to

college. Passed over in the NHL draft, but received an invite to Montreal’s rookie camp.

Ludvig Johnson - Smallish Swiss defender with some offensive chops. Has played against men

and not looked out of place. A long-shot pick who could come good with physical maturity.

Mans Josbrant - Another one passed over in the NHL draft, Josbrant is a smallish winger with a

great shot at this time and not a whole lot else. May never cross the pond but worth a late pick

just in case something clicks.