Geertsen makes NHL debut

Former Fort Wayne Komets and Colorado Eagles defenseman Mason Geertsen became the 700th former ECHL player to reach the National Hockey League when he debuted with the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday against Seattle.

Geertsen is the second former ECHL player to make his NHL debut during the 2021-22 season. He posted four points (1g-3a) in 21 games with the Komets in 2015-16 and tallied five assists in nine games with the Eagles in 2016-17. Geertsen added four points (1g-3a) in 19 postseason games with Colorado as the Eagles captured the 2017 Kelly Cup title. He becomes the 46th player whose name is on the Kelly Cup to play in the NHL.

A fourth-round selection (93rd overall) of the Colorado Avalanche in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, Geertsen has totaled 50 points (9g-41a) in 297 career American Hockey League games with Lake Erie, San Antonio, Colorado and Hartford.