Category: AHL

07Feb

Mark Arcobello(26) Oklahoma City Barons

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mark-arcobello

Edmonton Oilers‘ 3rd year, undrafted center Mark Arcobello(26) started his pro career on an AHL contract with Oklahoma City Barons.

He was reassigned to their ECHL affiliate Stockton Thunder at the beginning of the 2010/2011 season and things took shape pretty quickly, as he connected for 7 goals and 13 assists in 33 contests and was MVP at the All-Star Game.

The undersized 5’9″ 165 lbs. kept proving his critics wrong as he climbed up to the next rung and finished his rookie season with 11 goals and 11 assists in 26 games.

His consistent efforts paid off with the Oilers signing him to a 2-year entry level NHL contract. He stayed with their top farm team but was showing that despite his smaller stature he had a knack for the net, finishing his sophomore campaign with 17 goals, 26 assists and a nice +16 rating. He continued to strike through 14 Calder Cup Playoff match-ups adding another 13 points (5 goals and 8 assists) to his totals.

To start 2012/2013 as the lockout halted the highest league, he was teamed up with a #1 overall and 1st round draft picks to skate on a line with for the Barons.

The 24-year old further showed his skill set and looks to be on pace for career highs in goals, assists, points and got the nod as a Western Conference AHL All-Star Game starter.

He received his first NHL call-up and skated 19 shifts for 18:15 of total ice time in a overtime losing effort.

Despite being returned after only a 24-hour visit, it’s not looking like much of a stretch for him to find at the very least a part-time home in the show.

06Feb

Daniil Tarasov(19) Worcester Sharks

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Worcester Sharks‘ undrafted Russian-born rookie right wing Daniil Tarasov(19) signed a one-year AHL contract straight out of the USHL, where he tore up the scoresheet for two straight seasons before committing to a pro career.

He started the year with Worcester but was dispatched to their ECHL affiliate San Francisco Bulls to get some playing time in, because he wasn’t cracking the lineup.

In 17 ECHL games he scored 3 goals and added 11 assists. He was recalled to the Sharks in early January.

In 11 games played since returning he’s put in 3 goals and 5 assists. He just kept on showing up on the scoresheet and even has a couple of multi-point efforts in there. No doubt, he’s on a roll.

At 5’11” 192 lbs. he never really looks like the biggest guy on the ice but finds his spots for scoring chances.

No doubt if the 21-year keeps it up at this pace, he will on the San Jose radar for an entry level deal. He should be.

One thing about this player: his helmet never seems to fit on his head too well.

Daniil Tarasov

05Feb

Jeff Taffe(20) Hershey Bears

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Hershey Bears‘ 11th year, veteran center was originally a St. Louis Blues‘ 1st round pick in the 2000 draft (#30 overall) but was traded before ever playing with the team.

He signed his first AHL only contract since the last lockout in 2004/2005, when he was a member of Utah Grizzlies for a partial campaign.

Despite only appearing in 180 NHL games, the almost 31-year old forward has managed appearances in each of his pro years. He has 21 goals and 25 assists to his credit, skating with 6 different teams.

In the minors though, he’s amassed a hearty 533 games, scoring 185 goals with 244 helpers.

At 6’3″ 209 lbs. he’s always a big presence to contend with in front of the net and is the consummate team guy.

What the future holds for him is anyone’s guess but with 9 strikes and 29 assists in 43 contests, he leads the Bears . in scoring.

He’s good to have around if a team needs some points and has five 20 goal seasons and 8 years of 20+ assists (with one year where he hit the 50 mark).

He was selected to appear in the 2013 AHL All-Star Game when a teammate was on call-up.

Jeff Taffe

 

04Feb

David van der Gulick(7) Colorado Avalanche

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7th year left wing David van der Gulik(7) has received NHL call-ups in his last three pro seasons through his current team of contract, Colorado Avalanche. He also played 6 games for Calgary Flames, who picked him deep in the 7th round of the 2002 draft (#206 overall).

In 38 games he’s managed to connect for a pair of goals and 9 assists and skated in a career high 25 big league contests last season.

Although not an overly large player, at 5’11” 185 lbs. he has always managed to stay accountable on ice with a +7 rating.

He’s signed to a one-year, two-way deal, his third with the Avalanche; and at 29-years old his game continues to show improvement and there’s little reason to think that they will let him slide to another team anytime soon.

In 39 AHL games this season with affiliate Lake Erie Monsters he has 12 goals and 13 assists. He has 463 total regular season and playoff games to his credit, scoring 107 times and dishing 143 helpers.

He recently got his first recall of the lockout shortened campaign and once again had valuable contributions in the 3-1 despite playing only 7 minutes and 31 seconds. With injuries seemingly piling up, he could be in for an extended stay.

David Van der Gulik

01Feb

Nick Petrecki(29) San Jose Sharks

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San Jose Sharks‘ 4th year, former 1st round pick in the 2007 draft (#28 overall), defenseman Nick Petrecki(29) played his 1st NHL game earlier this week.

He skated 16 shifts for almost 12 minutes of ice time and didn’t register any other stats in his team’s 3-2 shootout win.

In 216 AHL games with Worcester Sharks he has 7 goals and 33 assists so he’s not overly blessed with offensive skills but at 6’3″ 225 lbs. there’s little doubt he’s a big presence on the blue line and his always triple digit penalty minutes in the minors and college hockey let’s folks know he not afraid to drop the mitts.

The 23-year old was signed to a three-year entry level deal and re-upped on his qualifying offer for another season. He’ll be a restricted free agent at the end of this campaign but it’s likely the Sharks‘ organization will continue to keep him around.

Nick Petrecki

 

 

31Jan

Graham Mink(29) Providence Bruins

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12th year, undrafted veteran right wing Graham Mink(29) took his time when considering who to join for the 2012/2013 season.

After the NHL lockout was over, the 33-year old signed a pto with Providence Bruins. In 8 games he has a goal and a pair of assists. He was recently given a standard player contract to finish out the year with the team.

In his AHL career, he’s played a whopping 694 games scoring 244 goals and adding another 252 assists. He has also won a Calder Cup in 2006 and 2009 with Hershey Bears, one of only 5 (now 6) clubs he has skated with.

At 6’3″ 220 lbs. no doubt he’s a big figure for defensemen to move from attacking the front of the net but just as important always brings strong leaderships qualities to the table and has captained a team or two in his pro career.

He’s played 7 big league games, all with Washington Capitals, the first team to sign him to an NHL contract and the one he’s played most of his minor league games as part of their system.

Graham MInk

30Jan

Matt Anderson(29) New Jersey Devils

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matt-anderson-1

Minor league feel good story of the year (so far): undrafted 6th year right wing Matt Anderson(29) gets his first recall with New Jersey Devils and plays in his NHL debut vs. Boston Bruins, a 2-1 shootout loss at 30-years old.

He skated 6:57 of ice time with no other real stats, which isn’t always a bad thing.

The 5’11” 194 lbs. forward originally signed an AHL contract with Albany Devils in 2010, his first new team since three seasons with Chicago Wolves, also under a minor league agreement.

In 2011, he scored his first big league deal, signing for one-year, two way with New Jersey.

He has a combined 351 AHL regular season and playoff games with 70 goals, 114 assists and a Calder Cup Championship ring to his credit.

He’s always been considered a team leader and plays that style of game, consistent, hard-working.

The Devils got lucky in a similar veteran call-up situations with Stephen Gionta and Steve Bernier, so this could be a formula, especially in a shortened season.

And they would know: 1995.

29Jan

2013 AHL All-Star Game Winners: Western Conference

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It was Toronto Marlies‘ captain Ryan Hamilton(12) putting the cherry on his hat trick for the night to give the Western Conference the win with 11.5 seconds left on the clock breaking the 6-6 tie for the win at the AHL All-Star Game held this season at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center, home of Providence Bruins.

He was also named the game’s MVP, of course.

P-Bruins is always near the top in league attendance, this year at 7,409. The ASG turned out 10,846 hardcores, which is/was a very full building really wanting an Eastern Conference W, despite them hating some of the home squad’s teammates at any regular season game.

They did get a huge cheer going when captain Trent Whitfield(23) tallied the game-tying goal late in the third.

AHL Western Conference

 

28Jan

Garnet Exelby(2) Providence Bruins

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11th year defenseman Garnet Exelby(2) signed a one-year two-way contract with Boston Bruins for the 2012/2013 season.

An Atlanta Thrashers‘ 8th round pick in 1999 (#217 overall) he has skated in 408 NHL games, mostly with his draft team but played one season patrolling the blue line for Toronto Maple Leafs.

His time as a Leaf was his last in the league. He was with Grand Rapids Griffins in 2011/2012 and Rockford Ice Hogs for the previous campaign. The now 31-year old was selected as team captain for both seasons in the AHL.

He has never been a big point-getter but is a good-sized presence in the defensive zone at 6’1″ 210 lbs., has always been fairly accountable on ice and never afraid to drop the mitts to protect a teammate.

In 19 games with Providence Bruins (he’s been hampered by injuries) he has a pair of goals. If the parent club suffers some injuries at the d-spot, the veteran could get a call-up but it’s a bit of a long shot maybe.

Garnet Exelby