The Savannah Ghost Pirates [https://thehockeynews.com/echl/game-day/ghost-pirates-set-new-franchise-record-with-win-over-everblades]announced they have signed defenseman Ethan Szmagaj and forward Zach Krajnik to ECHL [https://thehockeynews.com/echl/]contracts for the 2025-26 season. The 23-year-old Szmagaj played four games with the Ghost Pirates last year, logging an assist. The Canton, Mich. native spent his NCAA hockey [https://thehockeynews.com/ncaa/]career at Arizona State University from 2021-25, potting 28 points (6-22-28) in 130 games. Szmagaj served as the Sun Devils’ alternate captain during his junior year and was named captain in his senior campaign. The 26-year-old Krajnik was originally signed by Savannah in early April, appearing in six games with the Ghost Pirates. During that span, he recorded two goals and two assists. He scored his first professional goal on Apr. 6 in Orlando against the Solar Bears [https://thehockeynews.com/echl/latest-news/solar-bears-add-scoring-and-championship-experience-with-signing-of-jarid-lukosevicius]. Before turning pro, the Eagle River, AK, native spent four seasons at Minnesota State University, Mankato, suiting up for 126 games from 2021-25. Krajnik scored 13 goals and notched 26 assists with the Mavericks. Both Krajnik and Szmagaj join defensemen Keaton Pehrson, Michael Suda and Chris Lipe, as well as forwards Mitchell Russell, Logan Drevitch, Connor Gregga, Kyle Jeffers, Nick Granowicz, Ryan Sullivan and Liam Walsh as players signed to ECHL contracts by the Ghost Pirates for the 2025-26 season.
