Former UMD men’s hockey players ink new contacts

There has been more ink that has hit the paper for some former University of Minnesota Duluth men’s hockey players.
Former Grand Rapids and Bulldogs goaltender Hunter Shepard isn’t on the move anytime soon.

The Hershey Bears, an affiliate of the Washington capitals, and Shepard agreed to a two-year, two-way contract for $775,000. Shepard posted a record of 20-8-5 while helping guide the Bears to a 2022-2023 Calder Cup title.

Former UMD forward Justin Richards signed a one-year, two-way contract with Buffalo Sabers for $775,000. Richards recorded 10 goals and 39 points in 61 AHL contests with Cleveland in 2022-23. The 25-year-old forward also has two assists in three career NHL games.

Riley Tufte, former UMD forward, also signed a 1 year, $775,000 contract with the Colorado Avalanche. He spent most of this past season with the AHL’s Texas Stars, tallying 35 points in 63 games. Tufte also appeared in three NHL games with Dallas.