AHL | CollegeHockeyPlayers

12Feb

Jesper Fast(27) Hartford Wolf Pack

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New York Rangers‘ 6th round pick in the 2010 draft (#157 overall) fourth year, Swedish-born right wing Jesper Fast(27) had a career campaign in 2012/2013 on loan from the parent club back to HV71 of the SHL. He scored 18 goals and 17 assists in 46 games and added another tally and 4 helpers in the playoffs, while skating a combined +17 rating. It was his third year playing in the league.

The smart, speedy 6′ 185 lbs. forward started his rookie season in the NHL but was reassigned after 8 games with no points and a -5 plus/minus on a squad that was very slow out of the gate.

Reassigned to minor league affiliate Hartford Wolf Pack he’s contributing in a big way in all situations on another team that has been struggling to win.

In 24 AHL games he has 9 goals and 9 assists with a +5.

The recently turned 22-year old is signed to a three-year entry level deal through 2015 and will no doubt get another opportunity to show his stuff in the show.

10Feb

Jack Skille(10)

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7th year, former Chicago Blackhawks‘ 1st round pick in the 2005 draft (#7 overall) right wing Jack Skille(15) played exclusively in the NHL for the last three seasons, mostly with Florida Panthers after a trade in late 2011.

In that time he skated in 148 games and scored a somewhat underwhelming 15 goals and 26 assists.

At 6’1″ 216 lbs. he’s definitely got power forward size and plays a bit of a laid back version of that style but definitely can get to the net.

As an unrestricted free agent he signed a one-year two-way contract with Columbus Blue Jackets in the off-season and has split time with minor league affiliate Springfield Falcons pretty evenly.

In 12 games with a parent club he has 4 goals and is a +2. In the AHL he’s basically at a point-per-game with 4 strikes and 6 helpers in 11 contests.

Really tough to say where the 26-year old goes next but you have to wonder if he wouldn’t have a breakout year on a wing with some other explosive forwards.

08Feb

Eric Hartzell(35) WBS Penguins

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Pittsburgh Penguins‘ undrafted rookie goalie Eric Hartzell(31) is continuing his successes from an outstanding 4-year college career at Quinnipiac University, where he basically help set all kinds of team and individual records en route to the 2013 National Champion Title Game, into the pro ranks. To his credit, he was chosen as a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award.

In 19 AHL games for farm club, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins he’s posted a 9-5 record with 1.85 GAA and .925 SV%. His goals against average is currently tops in the league and already has 3 shutout efforts.

The fairly large-sized 6’4″ 205 lbs. net minder was selected CCM/AHL Goaltender Of The Month for January with his even more outstanding play in the time period.

He initially signed a one-year entry level deal to join the parent club fresh out of college and was quickly extended for two more years in the off-season, keeping him in the system through 2015.

Look for the 24-year old to get a look with the big club if injury sidelines one of their top two net minders.

07Feb

Brandon Alderson(19) Adirondack Phantoms

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Philadelphia Flyers‘ undrafted rookie right wing Brandon Alderson(19) is the type of player that could sneak a call up to the NHL and make it stick for a long career.

At 6’4″ 200 lbs. he comes to the table with power forward size that should keep growing with age.

The 22-year old has never exactly put up amazing numbers, although he was a point-per-game guy in his fourth season of junior hockey in the OHL with Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.

Pretty much strictly a fourth line player for minor league affiliate Adirondack Phantoms, he’s been able to connect for 6 goals and 4 assists in 41 AHL games.

He’s a big guy that can create space on the ice, who with a little offensive coaching could become a sleeper success.

Signed to a three-year entry level deal through 2016, he has some time to develop.

06Feb

Aaron Dell(29) Utah Grizzlies

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Utah Grizzlies‘ undrafted 2nd year net minder Aaron Dell(29) is giving his team a chance to win games every time he’s between the pipes.

He was loaned on a pair of occasions to higher level clubs, Norfolk Admirals and Manchester Monarchs but has yet to appear in an AHL game.

The 6′ 209 lbs. goalie won the 2013 Central Hockey League President’s Trophy backstopping Allen Americans to their first title in his rookie season. It’s not even like he posted these amazing numbers during the regular season or in his 19 starts through the playoffs, but they were good enough to get the job done and win the 12 games necessary to capture the title.

He was also awarded goaltender of the year for his regular season play.

No stranger to awards, his college hockey team, University Of North Dakota won three straight NCAA (WCHA) titles.

This season since his return, the 24-year old has appeared in 18 games and posted a tidy 13-4 record with a 2.08 GAA and .920 SV%. He has the team positioned to run deep in the Kelly Cup Playoffs.

The 24-year old will likely continue his climb and find himself under contract the next rung up for the 2014/2015 season.

05Feb

Stefan Warg (8)

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Anaheim Ducks‘ 5th round pick in the 2008 draft (#143 overall), sizable 6’3″ 220 lbs. Swedish-born defenseman Stefan Warg(8) heads back to his home country to play the remainder of the season with Skellefteå of the SHL.

Before signing a two-year entry level deal, he had already played three pro seasons in the lower Allsvenskan league after completing a pair of campaigns in the WHL.

There was definitely a buzz after last season’s performance with Västerås, where he put up 4 goals and 15 assists with a +21 rating in 52 games.

In his rookie season the 24-year old was mostly on the AHL roster with affiliate Norfolk Admirals but all too often a healthy scratch until injuries to the blue line basically forced the team to play him.

In 21 games he only had an assist playing a very conservative brand of defense that wasn’t always pretty to watch but had a good level of accountability.

Word has it that overall he was somewhat uncomfortable fitting in with the minor league American lifestyle and was going to be bought out of the remainder of his contract.

He moves back home with a new 2-year deal.

04Feb

Luke Judson(7) Idaho Steelheads

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Underdrafted rookie right wing Luke Judson(7) first popped up on the radar with an invite to San Jose Sharks‘ 2013 development camp. The team had been scouting him for the last few seasons as he served as captain for OHL Belleville Bulls.

He next appeared in Worcester Sharks‘ training camp before being released.

He joined San Francisco Bulls of the ECHL, the team he signed his first pro contract with over the summer.

The 6′ 200 lbs. forward took a bit of an odd route before inking his deal, deciding to first play a season of college hockey at Lakehead University.

Not the most prolific scorer, he did show an ability to connect with decent frequency through juniors and year at school.

The 23-year old only scored 4 goals through his first 31 games with a struggling SF squad and was probably relieved when they ceased operations.

He recently agreed to terms with Idaho Steelheads and the move will likely help him regain his scoring touch.

03Feb

T.J. Hensick(28) Hartford Wolf Pack

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7th year veteran center T.J. Hensick(28) returns to North American hockey after a half season away in the SHL with MODO.

He was released by the team after under-producing on the score sheet.

Signed to an AHL contract by Abbotsford Heat but then claimed off waivers by Hartford Wolf Pack, his last two pro years were spent with Peoria Rivermen, under a 2-way contract with St. Louis Blues.

The 5’9″ 195 lbs. forward was originally a Colorado Avalanche 3rd round pick in the 2005 draft (#88 overall) and played three seasons with the team and in their system.

He’s played 112 NHL games scoring 12 goals and 24 assists, last appearing in the league in 2012 with the Blues.

The 28-year old has skated in 332 minor league games with impressive numbers: 103 goals and 246 assists, making him more than a point-per-game player.

He had impressive numbers through his college career at University Of Michigan, winning a national championship in 2005 and being named a Hobey Baker Award finalist in two of his four season.

Where he goes next year is up for grabs but his contributions with his new team are already being noticed.

02Feb

Cameron Burt (47)

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2nd year undrafted Ontario Reign defenseman/center Cameron Burt(47) was a go-to guy in an injured litter Manchester Monarchs‘ lineup while up on a pto.

He played in all situations: 5-on-5, power play, penalty kill and was able to slot himself up front or back on the defense and even on the point for the man-advantage.

At 5’10” 170 lbs. he’s not exactly an imposing force out there but is a sturdy digger that was able to pop in a goal and 5 assists with a +4 rating in 9 AHL games.

As a rookie he led his ECHL team last season in assists (36) and points (38)

He’s basically putting up more amazing numbers with a new career high 3 goals and 11 assists in 20 games since being returned.

The 27-year old has to be on a short list to return to the higher league and it would be zero surprise to see him score an SPC next season.

30Jan

Mike Hoffman(27) Binghamton Senators

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Ottawa Senators‘ center Mike Hoffman(27) is blowing up the score sheet in his 4th season with minor league affiliate Binghamton Senators.

Through 44 AHL games he has career highs with 23 goals, 35 assists and 55 points and currently sits second overall in scoring.

The former 5th round pick in the 2009 draft (#150 overall) notch 4 tallies and a helper in a big midweek 6-3 win that has to have him wondering when his next NHL call-up is.

He skated in 3 games with the parent club this season and 7 overall but has yet to come up with his first mark.

The 5’11” 176 lbs. forward was well over a point-per-game player in three years of juniors in the QMJHL and looks to be ready to contribute at the highest level of hockey as he continues showing his potential in the prospective system.

Signed in the off-season to a one-year extension he’s set to become a restricted free agent at the end of the current campaign.

Look for the current captain to continue with the farm club, while he waits for another opportunity.

Of little surprise, the 24-year old was named AHL Player Of The Week on February 3.

see related: 7/15-11