Category: AHL

danick-gauthier

Tampa Bay Lightning rookie center Danick Gauthier(81) went undrafted but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t well sought after.

He signed a handsome three-year entry level deal after back-to-back junior hockey titles and a Memorial Cup win with Saint John Sea Dogs.

His numbers in his final year were more than a point per game.

The 6’2″ 210 lbs. forward started his pro career with minor league affiliate Syracuse Crunch but has also found himself to be a healthy scratch probably more than he wanted, playing 30 AHL games with 5 goals and 2 assists.

Recently reassigned to ECHL farm team Florida Everblades, he spent 10 days down south and pocketed 3 goals and 3 assists in 5 games.

The 21-year old has been recalled and needs to put  up some numbers like he did in the lower league as the team edges closer to clinching a playoff berth.

Original story: 3/17-13

He would finish his first season with 5 goals and 5 assists in 38 games but was not inserted into the lineup for any playoff contests despite the team making it all the way to the 2013 Calder Cup Finals.

To open his sophomore campaign he would start with Florida Everblades and stayed there a month before getting the nod to come back up.

He ended splitting time between the two clubs but spent more time in the lower league.

In the final year of his contract, he once again was sent south at the onset of the season but only stayed for a few appearances before being summoned for three games, then dispatched to Wichita Thunder, where he started to bloom.

He would go on to score a career high 30 goals and 40 assists for 70 points, all team leading, with a -3 rating in 69 ECHL games. He would also put up a crazy 250 shots on net.

For 2015/2016, he’ll turn just 24-years old as the new season starts and re-signed with the Thunder hoping to continue his scoring surge.

Austin Fyten(11)

Austin-Fyten

Undrafted 4th year left wing Austin Fyten(11) will join his fourth AHL team for 2015/2016 signing for one year with Hershey Bears.

Not sure what the team sees in the 6’2″ 200 lbs. forward that put up point-per-game numbers in his final year of WHL with Lethbridge Hurricanes and done it in the ECHL on two visits with Idaho Steelheads.

His best scoring season in the upper league was his 2nd year while under contract with Oklahoma City Barons, where he put in 7 goals and 13 assists with a +7 rating.

He also scored a goal and an assist in three postseason contests.

Last year was spent skating games for Lehigh Valley Phantoms.

His games played reached a new high at 64 but he only notch two goals and 9 assists.

To his defense he wasn’t on the best of teams and forced into more of a checking role.

The 24-year old still has a lot to prove.

robert-bortuzzo

Pittsburgh Penguins‘ 3rd round pick in the 2007 draft (#78 overall) defenseman Robert Bortuzzo(15) got his first taste of NHL play with an injury depleted blue line in the final year of his entry level deal.

He suffered a concussion in mid-December on his second recall from the AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins missing a month’s worth of action, but has not appeared in another game with the big club since returning.

At 6’4″ 215 lbs. the 23-year old is a towering presence that isn’t afraid to mix it up anywhere on the ice but still could use another ten pounds of muscle to become a full-time d-man in the show.

It’s likely a no-brainer that he receives a qualifying offer to return for his fourth season in the Penguins‘ system.

Original story: 3/31-12

After appearing in his first 6 games with the big club, being accountable  and looking comfortable out there, Pittsburgh rewarded him with another season as the league was heading into its 2nd lockout in less than 10 years.

To start 2012/2013 he would need to sign an AHL deal to rejoin Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and play some hockey.

He would be in the parent club’s training camp when they started playing again and even though it took him a bit to get into the lineup, he eventually made it scoring his first NHL goal in his 2nd game.

The big blue liner would play 15 contests in the shortened season getting 2 goals and 2 assists with a +3 rating only being returned to the farm team for a few days before being recalled to play out the schedule.

Heading into another restricted free agency the Penguins took little time to extend him for another two years and that would signal the end of his time with the farm team.

Over the next two campaigns he would skate in 92 games recording a career high 10 assists and points in 2013/2014 and get two more tallies and 4 helpers for 2014/2015 along with a new best 7 fights.

At the trade deadline, the now 26-year old was traded to St. Louis Blues and quickly signed for another 2-years.

He would finish the season getting in 13 games with a goal and an assist for his new team.

steven-delisle

4th year towering 6’6″ 233 lbs. defenseman Steven Delisle(5) signed a one-year AHL contract for 2013/2014 with Adirondack Phantoms.

He was a healthy scratch for most of the start of the season but injuries to their top six d-men brought him into the lineup, where he’s been since late December.

Originally a Columbus Blue Jackets‘ 4th round pick in the 2008 draft (#104 overall), he spent the first campaign of his 3-year entry level deal on the sidelines with a recurring shoulder injury.

Available for most of his second season, he was mostly reassigned to then ECHL affiliate Chicago Express, skating in only six games with Springfield Falcons.

A minor piece of a major off-season trade that sent him to New York Rangers‘ prospect system, he was dished back to the Blue Jackets‘ organization later that same year.

Almost ironically he found a bit of a scoring touch for Greenville Road Warriors, where he put up career highs with 4 goals, 16 assists, 20 points and was an outstanding +23 plus/minus in 61 games. He was allowed to stay with them despite the transaction.

Given the opportunity and maybe a little more offensive-minded coaching the 23-year old could definitely be a key contributor to whatever team he signs with next.

Original story: 1/15-14

He finished 2013/2014 skating 50 games scoring one goal and three assists with a -10 rating.

It was a performance that earned him some loyalty as he would be brought back for a second stint with the newly named Lehigh Valley Phantoms, playing a career high 62 AHL games getting a new bests 2 goals, 12 assists for 14 points with 133 penalty minutes and 11 fighting majors to his credit.

He heads into his 6th pro season returning to familiar territory with Springfield Falcons for 2015/2016.

There’s no reason not to believe the now 25-year old will elevate his game yet again. He seems to be just starting to hit his stride.

Chris-Langkow

Undrafted center Chris Langkow(54) started his fourth pro season much like he did the three previous campaigns, signed for a one-year minor league deal to play in the ECHL.

He posted career highs in scoring last season with 20 goals and 41 points, first with Reading Royals, who he signed with in the off-season and then traded to South Carolina Stingrays.

The 6’1″ 185 lbs. forward re-signed for another campaign with the Stingrays but after getting off to a fast start was loaned to Bridgeport Sound Tigers for the second time in his career and made it stick.

He was first with the team for most of the year in 2011/2012 but only appeared in 7 games scoring a goal and 4 assists before succumbing to injury and being returned to Alaska Aces some 4 months later.

He won the Kelly Cup with the Aces in his rookie season and was impressive throughout.

The 24-year old recently signed an spc to play out the remainder of the regular season in southern Connecticut.

His grinding 4th line style of play works well with the young Bridgeport team and with AHL career highs in games played (35), goals (2) and assists (7) he has the ability to dot the score sheet.

It would be no surprise to see him score a higher league contract out of the gate in 2014/2015. After all, he is a Langkow.

Original story: 2/9-14

He did manage to secure a deal to stay with Bridgeport Sound Tigers for 2014/2015 and played in a career high 69 AHL games scoring a best 8 goals but his assists and point production did tick down slightly from the previous campaign.

Heading into the new season the 6th year veteran somewhat surprisingly moves back into the ECHL signing with Elmira Jackals.

He should be invited to a higher league’s training camp and could impress enough with his spark plug style game to earn a spot, so we’ll see where the soon-to-be 26-year old ends up lacing up his skates.

chris-langkow2

Viktor Svedberg(8)

Viktor-Svedberg

Chicago Blackhawks‘ undrafted Swedish-born defenseman tower (6’9″ 234 lbs.), Viktor Svedberg(8) is entering his fifth pro season and third in the prospect system.

He started with a pair of seasons in his home country skating for Frolunda Indians of the SHL before signing a two-year entry level deal.

He had his best season yet in 2014/2015 playing a career high 49 games with a best 3 goals, 11 assists for 14 points with a +14 rating with affiliate Rockford IceHogs. and added another four helpers in 8 Calder Cup Playoff contests.

Going into the off-season he entered his first restricted free agency and it only took a month to sort out a one-year extension keeping the big blue liner in the organization and continue work on his progress.

At 24-years old he may just be getting started and should give the parent club every reason to have a look on the NHL level in 2015/2016.

He did join the team as a member of the black aces to help with Stanley Cup Playoff preparations.

CJ-Stretch

Undrafted 5th year center C.J. Stretch(12) was a late signing for Bridgeport Sound Tigers after attending New York Islanders‘ training camp on a tryout.

He spent last season under contract with Oklahoma City Barons after playing well for the team on loan late in the campaign from Ontario Reign, where he spent the first three years of his pro career.

Upon his recall, he was having a career year, ultimately playing in 60 ECHL games with 28 goals, 34 assists and 62 points, all high marks.

The 6′ 192 lbs. forward would be returned to skate in 4 Kelly Cup contests, adding 5 more tallies to his totals.

He had contributed nicely while up as well, getting 5 goals and 3 assists in 17 AHL games.

Once his lower league club was knocked out of the playoffs, he was again summoned to join the Calder Cup push and went right to work, playing in another 17 games, improving his numbers by one with 5 goals and 4 assists in the playoffs.

The 25-year old started 2014/2015 as a healthy scratch but found his spot in the lineup as of game 2,  recorded 3 assists and has been a bit of a spark plug ever since.

He’s on pace to shatter last season’s total with 5 goals and 12 assists in 22 games and could be in line for his first NHL contract, if he can keep it up.

Original story: 12/8-14

Just shy of a few months later he would return to the more playoff bound Oklahoma City Barons and finish the 2014/2015 campaign with 10 goals, a new career high 27 assists and 37 points in the AHL.

He would only add another two helpers in 9 postseason match-ups.

Entering his 6th pro season the 26-year old heads overseas on a one-year deal with Starbulls Rosenheim of DEL2.

He should almost easily be a point-per-game guy in this league as he was in his third stint of ECHL action.

scott-fleming

At 26-years old Fort Wayne Komets‘ center Scott Fleming(24) has to be enjoying his “rookie” season.

He first signed an agreement to join the team’s preseason roster but once they saw him play he was a part of the team.

He last played on ultimate reassignment to Gwinnett Gladiators in 2011/2012 after invites to affiliates Phoenix Coyotes and Portland Pirates‘ training camps.

His first year pro was cut short after only 6 games with 3 goals and 1 assists after suffering a season-ending concussion.

The 5’11” 180 lbs. undrafted forward is another player that took a somewhat longer route before ever signing a contract.

He started at 16 with three years marking up the score sheet in the OPJHL before moving on to 4 campaigns of hockey at Dartmouth College, where he served as team captain in 2010-2011.

After almost two full seasons of sitting on the sidelines, his return picks up where he left off.

In 40 ECHL games he has 11 goals and 23 assists with a +13 rating.

His point production got him noticed as Worcester Sharks signed him to a pto to fill some injured holes in the lineup.

He skated in 4 AHL games and dished a pair of helpers with a +1 plus/minus, which could easily grab the attention on another higher league club.

For now though, he’ll go back to double A hockey, continue to work on his game and help his team win.

Original story 2/15-14

He finished 2013/2014 scoring 16 goals and 33 assist in 62 games and added another pair of helpers in 11 postseason contests.

For his follow-up season he signed to skate with Fife Flyers of EIHL. He added to his totals slightly with 26 goals and tied his 33 assists mark for 59 points in 60 contests.

The now 27-year old has made the decision to return to North American hockey for 2015/2016 and will suit up for Greenville Road Warriors of the ECHL.

We expect him to continue his point production and possibly even earn another call-up to the higher leauge.

Igor-Bobkov

Anaheim Ducks‘ 3rd round pick in the 2009 draft (#76 overall), 2nd year Russian goaltender Igor Bobkov(35) found himself dropping in the team’s depth chart and reassigned to ECHL affiliate Utah Grizzlies to start the final year of his 3-year entry level deal. The first season had a “slide” as he was signed but returned to junior hockey with Kingston Frontenacs.

He turned pro with a pair of AHL starts in 2011 and 4 more at the end of 2012 but officially began his rookie campaign with minor league affiliate Norfolk Admirals last year.

The gigantic 6’6″ 235 lbs. goalie has yet to put up decent numbers on this side of the ice and there’s now a bit of a logjam in net with hot prospects, so could find himself on the trading block to see if there’s any takers.

The still super-young 22-year old will either have to find his game pretty quickly at this point or return to his home country and join a KHL team. Or he could head elsewhere.

He was recently recalled to the higher league after three starts in double A hockey but ultimately may still play out the remainder of his contract in Utah.

Original story: 10/27-13

He would bounce between Ducks‘ affiliates for much 2013/2014 playing more games with better success in the lower league, but he was still signed to a one-year extension approaching restricted free agency and continued to battle to get back on the parent club’s radar.

In his new contract year though, he would play a fewest 7 games with a less than great 4.27 GAA and .852 SV% on a Norfolk team that struggled mightily.

He reached new career highs with Utah Grizzlies playing in a high 34 contests with 19 wins and 4 shutouts and continued his good play helping them get into the 2nd round of the playoffs before their exit.

At 24-years old and looking at another season working on his game in the minors, he has decided to jump ship heading home to the KHL on 2-year deal with Admiral Vladivostok.

igor-bobkov-1

maxime-sauve

Norfolk Admirals‘ center Maxime Sauve(7) has definitely experienced some troubles in his fourth pro season finding a permanent spot on a roster.

Traded to Chicago Blackhawks near the end of last year, the final campaign of his entry level deal, he was left unqualified rendering him an unrestricted free agent going into 2013/2014.

Invited by Anaheim Ducks to their training camp, he was released from his pto and reassigned to their minor league affiliate, where he started the season.

It remains unclear if he ever signed a contract but the 6’1″ 190 lbs. forward skated in 47 AHL games with the team but put up his fewest point totals and was watching contests from the stands on too many occasions.

He has been prone to upper and lower body and concussions throughout his playing time. He was even injured in his one NHL game with Boston Bruins.

Sat for the first game of the Calder Cup Playoffs, he was inserted into the lineup in the 2nd meeting, which was a win evening the series at 1-1.

The 24-year old was the hero scoring the 1st overtime game-winner of a 1-0 game 3 victory.

He’ll no doubt be back to see if he can continue on a streak and help the Admirals into the next round of action.

What happens after the end of the current run is up in the air, as he will once again be unrestricted.

Original story: 5/1-14

He decided to sign for a year overseas joining Kolner Haie Sharks of DEL but once again succumbed to injury playing only 27 games scoring a career low 3 goals 6 assists.

Hershey Bears have stepped in and take a chance for 2015/2016 thinking the now 25-year old veteran skater still has jets and maybe even a little something to prove.

See related: 12/25-10, 2/28-11, 3/14-12