San Jose Sharks‘ 2007 7th round pick (#201 overall), second year defenseman Justin Braun(27) might find himself racking up the frequent flyer miles this season between CA and Central MA with their AHL affiliate Worcester Sharks.
He recently got his first goal of the year, which may help his case for staying in the NHL for more than the 28 games he played as a rookie (2 goals, 9 assists).
In 14 games with San Jose he has a few points in 14 games but is a very sturdy +5 on the plus/minus.
Get that man the puck.
Undrafted 5th year defenseman Benn Olson(33) is known more for his fighting abilities than he is for scoring touch but got his first AHL goal (in 74 games played) over the weekend.
The 6’4″ 215 lbs. pro has amassed a healthy 277 penalty minutes in the league and 300+ pims with Florida Everblades and Cincinnati Cyclones in the ECHL.
This was his first season, where he was signed to a one-way AHL deal and looks to be making the best of the opportunity with Bridgeport Sound Tigers. He skated in 17 games with the team last year and obviously made an impression.
8th year wing Colin Stuart(10) played Friday night in Rochester, where he is team captain of the Amerks. On Saturday he received his first NHL 2011/2012 season call-up and played in Buffalo Sabres‘ home game. Then on Sunday he was back in the AHL playing up in Hamilton playing against the Bulldogs.
He was original picked in the 5th round of the 2001 draft (#135 overall) by Atlanta Thrashers and was in their system for the first four years of his pro career.
He’s been signed with Buffalo for the last couple of seasons and has responded to this season’s leadership role with a point production that puts him second on the team.
Since 2000, undrafted center Jason Williams(18) has played games in the NHL and he played his first of the 2011/2012 season with Pittsburgh Penguins in their win over New York Islanders. He skated for 11:28 minutes, took a tripping penalty and had a shot on net.
In 448 NHL games he has 93 goals and 132 assists with Detroit (7 seasons, including a Stanley Cup with them in 2002), Chicago, Atlanta, Columbus, Dallas and now with the Pens.
He has far less career games in the AHL numbering 210 at last check (77 goals, 113 assists = a point per game) and this season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins has 3 goals and 14 assists in 20 games.
After failing to connect like he did in preseason, the monstrous (6’4″ 225 lbs.) center Evgeny Gratchev(91) is reassigned by St. Louis Blues to their AHL affiliate Peoria Rivermen to go find that scoring touch after only producing two assists in 17 games played to start the season.
He was acquired by the Blues in an offseason trade with New York Rangers for a 3rd round pick in the 2011 draft. He was originally drafted by the Rangers in the 3rd round of the 2008 draft (#75 overall).
At 21 years old, it seems like he’s struggling a bit to find his form in the NHL game. It’s still only his third pro season and he may be something of a late developer to becoming the power forward he is projected to be.
Phoenix Coyotes‘ 2006 1st round pick (#29 overall) defenseman Chris Summers(5) recently received his first playing time in his second call-up of the 2011/2012 season for a couple of NHL apprearances; he played 2 games with the team last season.
He fared better on this recall going a +1 with a shot on net.
He’s been since reassigned to their AHL affiliate Portland Pirates where he will continue to work on his game in just his second year pro.
In his rookie year with San Antonio Rampage, last year’s Coyotes‘ AHL affiliate, he put up 1 goal with 9 assists in 75 games.
Through 15 games this year he’s got a couple of assists but is a bit more impressive a +5.
Look for him to get another look this season.
Carolina Hurricanes‘ 6th round pick in 2008 (#165 overall) goaltender Mike Murphy(31) earned his first recall in his third season in their system.
No doubt he probably wasn’t expecting to be called into action late in the team’s 7-6 loss. He played 8 minutes 37 seconds and had 2 shots (and saves) on net. He also somehow suffered the strike against his record.
He’s played well for their AHL affiliate Charlotte Checkers last season (and in the playoffs) and is off to a nice start with them this year.
Ironic that the two goalies that were called up this week to play their first NHL games (on the spot) wear the number 31 on their AHL teams. Matt Hackett keeps the number with the Wild but Murphy switches it up to 70.
Minnesota Wild‘s 2009 3rd round pick (#77 overall) goaltender Matt Hackett(31) received his 2nd call up of the season.
He barely made it in time to ride the pine for the game before being sent back.
During this time up though, he was pressed into action after starting goalie Josh Harding went down with a rather bizarre neck injury early in the first period.
He stopped 29 of 29 shots to get the win in his NHL debut.
His first season with the Wild‘s AHL affiliate Houston Aeros was quite a ride that ended in the Calder Cup Finals.
It didn’t take long for Hershey Bears‘ 11th year veteran center Keith Aucoin(11) to be named Reebok/AHL Player Of The Week.
He’s the league leading scorer with 6 goals and 30 assists but had a particularly productive four-game stretch where he put in another couple of goals and 6 helpers to help the team win 3 of the 4.
Originally undrafted, he has played in the Washington Capitals‘ system for the last four seasons, winning back-to-back Calder Cups with the Bears.
In 78 NHL games, he’s put up 8 goals and 18 assists but in the AHL he has scored the most points of any American born player.
10th year veteran center, Garth Murray(17) was originally signed by St. John’s IceCaps at the start of the 2011/2012 season to a pto. After a hot start by the team and showing good leadership with the group, he was recently upped to a standard player contract.
Originally drafted in the 3rd round of the 2001 draft (#79 overall) by New York Rangers, he’s spent played in 116 NHL games (8 goals, 2 assists).
He’s spent most of his career in the AHL with 5 different teams but did start last season in the ECHL with the defunct Victoria Salmon Kings but didn’t take long before he earned a call-up.
