Providence Bruins Sign Ryan Bischel

Providence Bruins General Manager Evan Gold announced today, March 18, that the team has signed goaltender Ryan Bischel to an American Hockey League contract beginning with the 2024-2025 season. It is a one-year deal.

Bischel spent three seasons with the Fargo Force of the USHL from 2016-2017 to 2018-2019. He posted a combined 49-32-11 record in 100 games played in with 2.41 goals against average and .909 save percentage with 5 shutouts. He appeared in 6 playoff games with 2.93 goals against average and .908 save percentage and five shutouts. He won a Clark Cup Championship as the backup in 2017-2018.

Bischel joined the University of Notre Dame for the 2019-2020 season and spent five seasons with the Fighting Irish. He amassed 105 games and posted a 47-44-7 record with 2.46 goals against, .924 save percentage and 8 shutouts.

Following the 2022-2023 season, Bischel was named the BIG 10 Best Goaltender and an NCAA Second All-American Team (west). Abd the following season was a Hobey Baker nominee as the top collegiate player.

Bischel becomes the second undrafted free agent signing from Notre Dame by the Bruins in the last week after signing Drew Bavaro less than a week ago.

The Bruins were likely in the market for a goaltender as there could be changes coming in both Boston and Providence next season. Brandon Bussi could very well be with the big club as soon as next season, Michael DiPietro and Kyle Keyser are both restricted free agents that will require waivers, Reid Dyck is ready to make the jump to the pro leagues and Philip Svedeback will return to Providence College.

There could very well be an opportunity for Bischel to battle Dyck for the backup role to DiPietro in Providence with the other heading to the Maine Mariners of the ECHL. That is of course, that DiPietro would clear waivers.

So, what are the Bruins getting in Bischel?

A very positionally and technically sound goaltender who is very calm under pressure. One of the most athletic goaltenders in the NCAA who can make acrobatic saves when he has to. His rebound control is excellent. He can absorb pucks to kill a play. He has an excellent glove hand. He has lightning quick reflexes and his post-to-post movement is very good.

He’s been a very calming influence at Notre Dame this season on a team that didn’t have a great year. And he’s stood on his head when he’s had to. Everything suggests that his game should translate to the pro game. But only time will tell.

Follow me on X @dominictiano. Follow the blog and never miss a post.