In the final (for now) playing catchup post, let’s meet another group of players that will suit up for the Thunder for the first time in October.
McNaughton is a 24-year-old defenseman who will be making his North American pro debut this fall. Last season, he appeared in 18 games for Marseille in France, picking up 15 points (3 G, 12 A), and an additional 3 goals and 3 assists in 5 playoff games. The Ontario native took 2016-17 off after playing one season for Mount Royal University, and two seasons in the Maritime (Jr. A) Hockey League with Truro.
Salhany joins the Thunder after splitting last season between Reading and South Carolina. The 25-year-old forward began the year with a 5 game stint with the Royals, going scoreless. He joined the Stingrays in mid-December and appeared in 20 games, with 1 goal and 2 assists. Prior to turning pro, the Rhode Island native played collegiately with the University of Alabama-Huntsville.
The most experienced professional on the Thunder roster, Sdao comes to Glens Falls by way of Rapid City, where he appeared in 30 games for the Rush, going scoreless. The 29-year-old defenseman is a former 7th round pick by Ottawa, and Binghamton fans may remember him from his 2+ seasons in the Southern Tier. Prior to turning pro, the Colorado native spent 4 years at Princeton.
As of this writing, the Thunder roster now sits at 16 players signed–11 forwards, 5 defensemen. The goaltending situation is a little unpredictable at this point, with Cory Schneider not ready to start the season in New Jersey. Mackenzie Blackwood and rookie Cam Johnson will likely both be starting the season in Binghamton, leaving Adirondack to find some temporary help between the pipes until that situation is settled.
Binghamton also has three players–two who have spent time with the Thunder–on AHL deals that are also candidates to come down depending on camp: forward Ryan Schmelzer, who made a splash during the Kelly Cup Playoffs and lead the Thunder in playoff scoring; forward John Edwardh, who appeared in 3 games late in Adirondack’s season; and defenseman Tariq Hammond, a free agent signee from the University of Denver.
Thoughts Inside The Box 