ECHL: Adirondack Thunder Receive Three Players From Utica Comets

Jakub Malek

Malek, 23, has had a rough start to his North American career, going 0-4-1 with a 3.86 GAA and .861SV% in five games with the Comets. The New Jersey Devils fourth-round draft pick in 2021 spent the last three seasons playing in Finland with IIves (Liiga) where he put up a 40-22-15 record with a 2.18 GAA, .910SV%, and eight shutouts in 82 games. This gives Adirondack a tandem of Jeremy Brodeur and Jakub Malek for the time being. This could be a very solid tandem if Malek has able to find his game while with the Thunder.

However, I wouldn’t be shocked if Brodeur gets called up to Utica, which would open the door for Henry Welsch to make his season debut during Adirondack’s four-in-five this week.

Tag Bertuzzi

Bertuzzi, 24, joins the Thunder after playing in four games with the Comets to begin the season. In 11 games last year with Adirondack, he had five goals and five assists for 10 points before going down with a season-ending injury. The Vancouver, BC, native has spent the majority of his career in the ECHL where he’s put up 46 goals and 53 assists for 99 points in 132 games while playing with the Norfolk Admirals, Tulsa Oilers, Reading Royals, and Adirondack Thunder. He has one assist in 20 games at the AHL level. This doesn’t come as a surprise as Adirondack just lost Alex Campbell to an injury. The Thunder needed another healthy forward on their roster.

Jackson van de Leest

van de Leest, 24, has played in just two games with the Comets this season where he has one assist. He hasn’t played since October 31st. The Kelowana, BC, native rejoins the Devils organizations after being traded last season. In nine games with the South Carolina Stingrays, he had a goal and an assist. He would add one assist during the 2025 Kelly Cup Playoffs.

The 6’7 defenseman has played in 54 games with Adirondack, putting up two goals and 12 assists for 14 points. He had three assists in 15 games during the 2024 Kelly Cup Playoffs. In 14 games with the Comets, he has two assists.