Otters Sign Free Agent Blueliner Gairin Michalski

With the 2026-27 regular season set to get underway on Friday, there's just enough time for a last-minute signing as teams look to finalize their rosters for the new campaign.

The Erie Otters have got one through the door, signing American free agent defenseman Gairin Michalski after he impressed as a camp invite.

Michalski, 19, is coming off a season split between the BCHL and USHL, playing the majority of his time in the States with the Try-City Storm. He recorded four (2+2) points in six BCHL games with the Trail Smoke Eaters, before having eight (3+5) points in36 USHL games.

The Wisconsin native developed a fair amount as a youth in the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite youth system, while also having stops with the Cleveland Barons 14U AAA team, the South Kent School 15U AAA team in Connecticut, the Victory Honda 16U AAA team in Michigan, and finally the Long Island Gulls 18U AAA team.

Michalski was a standout in a majority of these stops, and now gets to prove himself at the major junior level with the Otters. He'll likely serve as more of a depth defenseman on a team featuring Ty Henry, Lucas Ambrosio and import Julius Saari.

The well-travelled, 5-foot-11 rearguard currently has no active NCAA commitment, but a strong OHL season could see some schools come calling for his services.

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