ECHL: Trenton Signs Mitchell Heard, Trades Strand To Reading

Heard, 34, has spent seven seasons playing overseas, including the last three. His first experience overseas came in Germany from 2018 to 2022, where he played for the Strabing Tigers and Bietigheim Steelers. In three seasons with the Tigers, he had 14 goals and 38 assists for 52 points in 94 games. During his last season in Germany, he had seven goals and four assists for 11 points in 19 games.

During the 2023-24 season, Heard played in Slovakia, where he had 13 goals and 19 assists for 32 points, along with his league-leading 136 PIMS in 43 games with HK Dulka Michalovce. He would add an assist in seven playoff games. Heard would then head to the EIHL, where he’s spent the last three seasons with the Glasgow Clan and Sheffield Steelers. Over the course of 102 games in the EIHL, he had 35 goals and 56 assists for 91 points, along with 261 PIMs. During the 2024-25 season, he led the EIHL with 131 PIMs. In six playoff games, he’s put up four goals and two assists for six points, along with 24 PIMS.

North American Career

The Bowmanville, Ontario, native has spent parts of eight seasons in North America, playing in both the ECHL and AHL. Over the course of his ECHL career, he has 92 goals and 128 assists for 220 points, along with 526 PIMs in 214 games, while suiting up for four different ECHL teams. He would add 20 goals and 35 assists for 55 points in 71 Kelly Cup Playoff games. The second-round pick of the Colorado Avalanche in 2022 last played in the ECHL during the 2022-23 season.

At the AHL level, he has 15 goals and 27 assists for 42 points, along with 541 PIMs in 212 games.