ECHL: Savannah Ghost Pirates Announce 2025–26 Season-Opening Roster

The Savannah Ghost Pirates have announced their 2025–26 Season-Opening Roster ahead of the franchise’s fourth season in the ECHL. The lineup features a strong mix of returning talent, new additions, and affiliated players from both the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers and the NHL’s Florida Panthers.

Goaltenders

Michael Simpson, Evan Cormier

Savannah will start the season with two goaltenders, both on AHL contracts. Michael Simpson and Evan Cormier give the Ghost Pirates a steady tandem between the pipes, combining development opportunity with proven professional experience.

Defensemen

Dennis Cesana, Chris Lipe, Noah Carroll, Michael Suda, Keaton Pehrson, Evan Nause, Cole Krygier, Philip Waugh

The Ghost Pirates’ blue line blends young promise and veteran awareness. Dennis Cesana and Cole Krygier, both on AHL contracts with Charlotte, bring a composed presence to the defensive core. Evan Nause, under contract with the Florida Panthers, joins the lineup as one of the organization’s top prospects. Rookie Michael Suda and Philip Waugh round out the group with fresh energy.

Forwards

Connor Gregga, Christophe Tellier, Zach Krajnik, Ryan Sullivan, Nick Granowicz, Mitchell Russell, Josh Davies, Hunter Johannes, Logan Drevitch, Liam Walsh, Tristan Amonte, Riley Hughes, Robert Mastrosimone, Matt Koopman, Nicholas Zabaneh, Bryce Brodzinski

Up front, the Ghost Pirates feature 16 forwards led by several affiliated standouts. Josh Davies, a Florida Panthers prospect, joins Savannah following a strong showing in the WHL, while Christophe Tellier, Riley Hughes, and Robert Mastrosimone return under AHL contracts. Mitchell Russell and Nick Granowicz add familiarity and consistency, giving Savannah a balanced mix of offensive depth and two-way reliability.

Roster Breakdown

Savannah opens the season with 26 players:

• Forwards: 16
• Defensemen: 8
• Goaltenders: 2
• AHL Contracts: 9 (Charlotte Checkers)
• NHL Contracts: 2 (Florida Panthers)

The Ghost Pirates will be without several contributors early, as injuries to Ryan Sullivan and Tristan Amonte temporarily shift the forward rotation. Their absences create openings for younger players like Bryce Brodzinski and Matt Koopman to earn expanded roles. On defense, Noah Carroll’s injury and Michael Suda’s reserve status could mean additional early minutes for rookies Philip Waugh and Keaton Pehrson, testing the team’s depth from the start.

Opening Night

The Ghost Pirates open their fourth ECHL season tonight, Friday, October 17, at Enmarket Arena as they host the Norfolk Admirals. Puck drop is set for 7:00 PM (EDT) to kick off Opening Weekend in Savannah. The matchup marks the start of a new season filled with high expectations and plenty of new talent hitting the ice for the first time in front of the home crowd.

Source: Savannah Ghost Pirates Official Release