Blue Jackets‘ 1st round pick, #21 over in the 2009 draft, defenseman John Moore(7) has had some impressive moments in his first season in the AHL with Springfield Falcons, pay no attention to his depressing -18 plus/minus. Still, he’s earned himself a couple of NHL call-ups and played a couple of games for at least a taste of the action.
Is it an accident that the Buffalo-born 6′ 5″ giant defenseman Nick Tuzzolino(45) was called up from the ECHL Utah Grizzlies by the Sabres‘ AHL affiliate Portland Pirates or just a coincidence?
Either way, he’s fitting in nicely with the team in the 9 games he’s played.
Binghamton second year forward, 2007 late first round pick Jim O’Brien(19) has been rewarded for his remarkable point increase and play in the AHL with a couple NHL call-ups this season. He has yet to register a point in 5 games.
Mark Mancari(25) was just recalled for the second time this season. He’s 2nd in goals this year in the AHL and was first up until Nigel Dawes recent goal-splosion.
He has 2 goals 4 assists in 20 games played with the Sabres over 6 years in the organization. I find it insane that Buffalo picked him in the 7th round, 207th overall in the 2004. If he doesn’t produce this time, they’ll have to let him go elsewhere next season. They’ll have to..
Monarchs‘ forward Richard Clune(17) has become quite the hothead recently. He’s on par to double his penalty minutes best in 2007-2008 with Iowa Stars.
Sharks‘ defenseman Nick Petrecki(29) obliged the nod to drop ’em and pretty much pummeled him.
Pirates‘ rookie forward, Corey Tropp(14), Buffalo‘s 3rd round pick in 2007 is having himself pretty good first year with 31 points in 59 games.
Most impressively though I saw him match up pretty well vs. Brandon Mashinter of the Worcester Sharks, which is a situation where he was outsized by 4 inches and almost 40 lbs.
Me and Jared Staal(22), the youngest of the hockey family that includes, Eric, Mark and Jordan.
He was a healthy scratch for Charlotte Checkers in Worcester vs. the Sharks last weekend. In his first pro season in the AHL (12 games, 1 goal) and ECHL with Florida Everblades (33 games, 11 points) he isn’t stepping up at all.
Diminutive 5’8″ 156 lbs Monarchs‘ rookie forward Brandon Kozun(26) claimed AHL Rookie Of The Month honors for February. He had 8 goals and 7 assists in 13 games. He has 39 points in 57 games played.
Literally he’s as tall as I am and weighs roughly 10 more pounds than I do, which I think is insane. He’ll likely bulk up to a 180 playing weight within a couple of years.
Thomas Hickey(37) was picked #4 overall in the 2007 draft by Los Angeles but a shoulder injury followed by season-ending surgery put him off track in what was to be his first full year as a pro.
He’s played well with the Monarchs this season but has yet to earn his first NHL call-up.
He’s kind of small but can put up numbers and moves the puck pretty well on the AHL level.
San Jose‘s 1st round pick (#16 overall) in the 2006 draft, Ty Wishart(15), now with his third team, seems to be settling in nicely with the still-rebuilding Islanders. He recently notched his first NHL goal and has added 3 assists in 11 games played so far.
