Fresh off his three year entry level deal with Buffalo Sabres‘, 4th year left wing Justin Kea(19) was left unqualified and signs with Florida Everglades for 2017/2018.
He was a 3rd round pick in the 2012 draft (#73 overall) and has already skated 85 ECHL games on reassignment to Elmira Jackals through his first three seasons recording a best 9 goals and 7 assists with 73 penalty minutes and 57 shots on net through 33 contests in 2016/2017.
The big 6’5″ 215 lbs. played a low 12 AHL games with Rochester Americans last season but was able to pop in a modest, new high 2 goals and 2 assists, which doesn’t make a lot of sense to continue to send him down.
The 23-year old never put up big numbers but did decently through four campaigns in the OHL with Saginaw Spirit and is definitely unafraid to drop those gloves as necessary.
With a full season on one squad, he should see those numbers increase but it’s also highly likely that he’ll be loaned up and once again split time between two leagues.