Former Minnesota Duluth forward Cole Koepke is on the move again this offseason after signing a one-year, $1 million deal with the Winnipeg Jets as an unrestricted free agent on Tuesday, July 1.
Koepke, 27, is coming off career highs in NHL games (73) and points (10-7—17) last season playing left wing for the Boston Bruins, a highlight in an otherwise-lost season for the Bruins, who missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016 and had a losing record for the first time since 2007.
With the addition of Koepke, the Jets now have four former Bulldogs (Alex Iafallo, Dylan Samberg and Neal Pionk) on their roster. Samberg remains a restricted free agent as of Wednesday.
Koepke was originally drafted 183rd overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2018. He finished with 75 points (38-37—75) over three seasons at UMD.
Perunovich signs two-way deal with Utah
Former Hobey Baker winner Scott Perunovich signed a one-year, two-way contract worth $755,000 with the Utah Mammoth.
The 26-year-old left-shot defenseman from Hibbing entered the offseason as an unrestricted free agent after not receiving a qualifying offer from his former team, the New York Islanders. Perunovich was traded to the Islanders after 24 games with the St. Louis Blues last season, recording six points (2-4—6).
In 11 games with the Islanders, Perunovich finished with three points (0-3—3).
Minnesota Duluth’s Scott Perunovich (front) and Notre Dame’s Cal Burke compete for the puck during the 2018 national championship game in St. Paul.
Clint Austin / File / Duluth Media Group
Goaltender Hunter Shepard agreed to a one-year, two-way contact with the Ottawa Senators at an average annual value of $775,000.
The 29-year old Cohasset native played almost exclusively in the AHL last season for the Hershey Bears, compiling a 23-11-4 regular season record with a goals against average of 2.80 and a save percentage of .891.
Shepard previously won back-to-back Calder Cup championships with the Bears in 2023 and 2024. He was named MVP of the AHL Playoffs in 2023.
Shepard made five starts for the Washington Capitals over the last two seasons.
Minnesota Duluth senior goaltender Hunter Shepard makes a save against St. Cloud State during a game on March 6, 2020 at Amsoil Arena in Duluth.
Clint Austin / File / Duluth Media Group
Toninato leaves Winnipeg for Windy City
Winnipeg Jets unrestricted free agent Dominic Toninato inked a two-way, two-year deal with the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday at an average annual value of $850,000.
The 31-year-old left wing and Duluth East alum suited up for five games with the Jets, while playing the bulk of the season for the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League. Toninato racked up 36 points (18-18—36) in 60 games as captain of the Moose.
Tufte re-ups with Boston organization
Riley Tufte signed a one-year, two-way deal with the Boston Bruins on Tuesday worth $775,000.
The 27-year-old winger is coming off of a 42-point regular season with the Providence Bruins of the AHL. He added six points (4-2—6) in eight playoff games as well.
Tufte suited up for six games with the Boston Bruins last season.
Minnesota Duluth forward Riley Tufte (27) controls the puck near North Dakota defenseman Gabe Bast (2) during a 2019 game at Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks, North Dakota.
Clint Austin / File / Duluth Media Group
Blake Biondi agreed to a one-year, one-way deal with the Chicago Wolves of the AHL on Monday, June 30.
The 23-year old forward from Hermantown skated in seven games with the Wolves after racking up 27 points (12-15—27) in his final season at Notre Dame. Prior to his stint with the Fighting Irish, the 2020 Minnesota Mr. Hockey winner compiled 58 points (30-28—58) in four seasons at UMD.
Biondi was originally drafted by the Montreal Canadiens with the 109th pick in the 2020 NHL Draft but did not sign.
Fanti re-signs with Tampa Bay organization
Goaltender Ryan Fanti signed a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000 to stay with the Tampa Bay Lightning organization.
Fanti, 25, spent the bulk of last season in the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) with the Orlando Solar Bears, compiling a .907 save percentage over 37 games. In seven starts with the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch, Fanti finished with a 1.45 goals against average and a .946 save percentage.
Minnesota Duluth goaltender Ryan Fanti (39) makes a save against St. Cloud State on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022, at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center in St. Cloud.
Clint Austin / Duluth News Tribune
Will Francis inked a new one-year standard player contract to stay with the San Diego Gulls of the AHL.
Francis, a 6-foot-5 defenseman from St. Paul, skated in three games for the Gulls last season. He appeared in five games in his final season with the Bulldogs, concluding a career that was affected by a 2020 leukemia diagnosis, a 2024 bone marrow transplant and two recurrences.