AHL | CollegeHockeyPlayers

07Mar

Brandon McMillan(15) Anaheim Ducks

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Anaheim Ducks‘ 3rd round pick in the 2008 draft (#85 overall) center/left wing Brandon McMillan(15) is in the final season of his 3-year entry level contract.

He played more NHL games in his rookie campaign than he did through his sophomore season, spending more time with their minor league affiliate Syracuse Crunch.

He put up some pretty decent numbers, in 55 AHL games scoring 12 goals and 18 assists. The small-ish 5’11” 190 lbs. forward actually produced respectably for the Ducks in first season with 10 goals and 11 assists in 60 games and added another goal and an assist in 6 playoff match-ups.

No telling which league he would spend more time in for 2012/2013 with the lockout effectively knocking out half the year, but he received his first recall after 36 games with new farm team, Norfolk Admirals.

In his 2013 debut he skated 11 shifts for 6:32 total ice time, was a -1 plus/minus in the overtime loss and won 62% of his face-offs. He’s making his 2nd appearance of the season and looks to be getting some increased opportunities.

06Mar

Chris Brown (11)

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Phoenix Coyotes‘ 2nd round pick in the 2009 draft (#36 overall), rookie center Chris Brown(11) received his first NHL recall and skated 9 shifts for 6:52 total ice time in the shootout win before being returned to minor league affiliate Portland Pirates, where he scored a goal in his first game back (also a shootout victory).

In 52 AHL games he has 19 goals and 12 assists with a -8 rating on a team that looks destined to push its’ winning record into the postseason.

The 6’2″ 207 lbs. skater has the attributes of a power forward and plays the style but maybe needs to infuse a tad more grit in his game to make a bigger, lasting impact.

In three college seasons he put up good numbers, deciding to drop his final season and signed a three-year entry level deal that keeps him with the Desert Dogs through 2015.

Not bad for a player born and raised deep in the heart of Texas.

He becomes only the fifth player in history from the state to don an NHL sweater.

04Mar

Andreas Lilja(6) Adirondack Phantoms

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Philadelphia Flyers‘ 13th year Swedish defenseman Andreas Lilja(6) is having a bit of a tough time finding a spot on the big club’s roster this lockout shortened season and has found himself reassigned to their farm team, Adirondack Phantoms on more than one occasion.

He’s played only a single NHL game thus far but has appeared in 11 AHL games and has three helpers.

The 37-year old has appeared through a smattering of loans to minor league clubs in the last few years but hasn’t spent significant time in the league since his rookie campaign with Lowell Lock Monsters in 2000/2001.

He was originally a Los Angeles Kings‘ 2nd round pick (#54 overall) in 2000 that already had 4+ years pro experience in SEL.

The sizable 6’3″ 220 lbs. blue liner has played an outstanding 577 NHL games scoring 16 goals and 77 assists with an overall +32 rating. He was also a member of the 2008 Detroit Red Wings’ Stanley Cup Championship team.

He’s set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the current season and it would be no surprise to see him sign with his 6th team for at least one more run.

03Mar

Rick DiPietro(39) Bridgeport Sound Tigers

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New York Islanders‘ 1st round draft pick in 2000 (#1 overall) goalie Rick DiPietro(39) was recently waived by the team and reassigned to minor league affiliate Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

It’s not his first time back since he predominantly played there in his first pair of pro seasons. He was sent down a few years ago on a conditioning stint for four games.

The 11-year veteran net minder has run into more than his share of bad luck with injuries but feels 100% ready to play in the lockout shortened 2013 season but was ineffective in three starts with an 0-3 record.

Hitting the AHL pipes again to regain his confidence was seen as the best possible scenario for the now 31-year old with 8 years left on his 15-year, $67.5 millon contract.

In his first start, he was shelled for 5 goals on a meager 12 shots (on 3 of them he could have sued teammates for non-support) and was mercifully pulled after the first period. He managed much better the next night making 22 of 25 saves in the Sound Tigers‘ 4-3 victory.

Where his story will go from here is anyone’s guess.

See related: 4/13-10

02Mar

Cameron Gaunce(24) Lake Erie Monsters

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Colorado Avalanche 2nd round pick in the 2008 draft (#50 overall) defenseman Cameron Gaunce(24) is in the final season of his three-year entry level deal.

He played in 11 NHL games in his rookie campaign scoring a goal but that was the only crack at the show he’s received thus far.

Maybe he will get another recall in this shortened lockout season before his contract is up but it’s looking a bit doubtful.

The 6’1″ 203 lbs. stocky d-man produced career highs for minor league affiliate Lake Erie Monsters in his sophomore season with 75 AHL games played, 6 goals, 21 assists, 27 points and a +17 rating.

He’s far off the mark in the current campaign with only a goal and 1o assists in 52 contests and looks to end up with lows in all categories.

It’s a wonder if the Avalanche will give the still young 22-year old a qualifying offer as a restricted free agent for a fourth season in the system and simply look at 2012/2013 as a one where he lost some footing in his game but still has the potential to regain it.

27Feb

Bryan Helmer(40) Springfield Falcons

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20th year, undrafted veteran defenseman Bryan Helmer(40) signed a contract to play with Springfield Falcons very late in the game, maybe waiting to see how the NHL lockout would unravel before making his move.

He has played an absolutely head-popping 1104 AHL games through 19 seasons and counting. He needs 1200 to catch the number two guy, so he may finally retire at 40-years old as the bronze medalist in the category. He has gold in the Calder Cup Playoff games played though with 158 and three Championship rings to his credit; two in 2009 and 2010 as captain of Hershey Bears and back in 1995 with Albany River Rats, his second year pro.

The solid 6’1″ 209 lbs. d-man has always been thought of as a good two-way player that isn’t afraid to jump up into the offensive action. He does have a pretty impressive 129 goals and 434 assists.

He’s played 146 NHL games (mostly from 1998 – 2004) with four different teams and as recently as 2009 with Washington Capitals. He has a modest 8 goals and 18 assists.

He’s like the ultimate team guy no doubt and we’d love to see him back somewhere for his 21st pro season.

26Feb

Matt Fraser(25) Dallas Stars

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Dallas Stars‘ undrafted, 2nd year left wing Matt Fraser(25) appeared in his 2nd NHL game on his 1st recall of 2012/2013; and scored his first big league goal to start the game, which unfortunately ended as a 5-4 OT loss for the team.

He skated 15 shifts for 9:52 total ice time with his only shot on net being the tally and ended the night with a +1 rating.

Not too shabby for the 6’1″ 204 lbs. forward that amassed triple digit penalty minutes in his last three seasons of junior hockey but also average a point per game in his final two years.

In two campaigns with Texas Stars, he has kept up his marks on the scoresheet, running 37 goals and 18 assists as a rookie and continues to strike in his sophomore season with 24 goals and 11 assists. He was also chosen to represent his team at two consecutive AHL All-Star Games.

Signed to a three-year entry level contract, the 22-year old’s next score looks to be a 2-year contract extension to continue his development right where he’s at.

25Feb

Adam Comrie(24) Worcester Sharks

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Reading Royals‘ 3rd year defenseman Adam Comrie(24) is enjoying his most productive season as a pro scoring 17 goals and 16 assists in 45 ECHL games to go along with a +22 rating on a team that has been on top most of the year.

The tower of a 6’4″ 215 lbs. blue liner he was originally a Florida Panthers‘ 3rd round pick in the 2008 draft (#80 overall) but something went amiss in his second season and he asked to be released from his 3-year entry level deal that would have taken him through the end of the current season.

The details of what happened are hazy at best.

He spent most of his rookie season with Rochester Americans but was also reassigned to lower league affiliate Cincinnati Cyclones on a number of occasions.

He started his sophomore campaign with the Cyclones and was quick to strike with 3 goals and 3 assists in 4 games before departing. He would eventually sign a contract with Greenville Road Warriors to finish out the season.

The 22-year old inked a deal with the Royals about a month before the start of 2012/2013. He attended new affiliate Hershey Bears‘ training camp and was involved in exhibition game play.

He was sent back and that’s when things started to take better shape for the big d-man.

Recently signed to an spc by Worcester Sharks on an AHL call-up, he fits in pretty nicely in the higher league and will likely hit the scoresheet with decent frequency. He already has an assist in 3 appearances and should continue to step up.

23Feb

Evan Brophey (20)

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6th year right wing Evan Brophey(20) was an unrestricted free agent at the end of 2012 and with no offers and the NHL lockout looming had to find a home for the new season.

Originally a Chicago Blackhawks‘ 3rd round pick in the 2005 draft (#68 overall), he only appeared in one big league game with the team in 4 years and 3 last season with Colorado Avalanche. He has yet to convert for any points.

The 6’1″ 203 lbs. forward isn’t exactly a prolific scoring in the minors but in 407 regular season games he does have 67 goals and 94 assists.

Last season with Lake Erie Monsters, he matched a career high for points (39) and pocketed a best 18 goals, which led the squad in scoring.

Just as the 2012/2013 season started the 26-year old signed a pto with Portland Pirates. He was recently bumped up to an spc after 37 games (5 goals, 10 assists) to finish out the 2012/2013 campaign with them.

Even though he’s not exactly lighting it up as prolifically as he did last year, he’s still a gritty, invaluable player for the Pirates to have in the fold as they push towards the postseason.

22Feb

D.J. King(15) Ontario Reign

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9th year veteran left wing heavyweight, D.J. King(15) sure took his time figuring out what ice he was going to put his skates down on for the 2012/2013 season.

With less than a couple of months remaining, the 6’3″ 230 lbs. forward signed with the Ontario Reign of the ECHL.

He’s only ever played 5 games in the league in his sophomore season but has 118 NHL and 218 AHL games to his credit.

Originally a St. Louis Blues‘ 6th round pick in the 2002 draft (#190 overall), the 28-year old forward was without a contract after spending two years on a 1-way contract with Washington Capitals but played mostly with their minor league affiliate Hershey Bears.

He spent his first 6 seasons in the Blues‘ prospect system, managing to play one full campaign with the team in 2006/2007.

Known more for his brut strength on the ice than his power forward, point scoring capabilities he has easily always been the type of skater feared by opponents.

In his first game with the Reign, the 28-year old introduced himself with a first period fight and even got an assists in the 4-1 win.