Category: ECHL

Stanislav-Galiev

Less than a year ago, Washington Capitals‘ 3rd year Russian-born right wing Stanislav Galiev(49) was barely a consideration to be recalled to the parent club when an injury took down one of the starters.

At the end of 2014 he appeared in first round playoff games for ECHL affiliate Reading Royals. He was also part of their 2013 Kelly Cup Championship team scoring 4 goals and 7 asssists in 10 games as a rookie.

All that changed at the beginning of the final campaign of his three-year entry level deal though, as he has exploded with scoring abilities for farm team Hershey Bears in 2014/2015.

The not exactly huge 6’1″ 187 lbs. forward has a career high (and team leading) 25 goals, 20 assists and 45 points through 64 AHL games with a +5 rating.

His 15 power play tallies also lead the league.

The two-time, consecutive 2011 and 2012 QMJHL Champion and 2011 Memorial Cup winner always put up big numbers in juniors taking the most assist honors in his first season 2009/2010 and leading the way in the 2012 postseason for Saint John Sea Dogs with 16 goals and 34 points.

In his first NHL game, he skated 13 shifts for 9:56 total ice with :18 on the power play and had one shot on net, one hit, one giveaway and one takeaway.

See related: 11/20-12

 

Tyler-Shattock

After four seasons in the St. Louis Blues‘ prospect system right wing Tyler Shattock(16) was not given a qualifying offer to continue with the team after putting up career best assists (16) and points (20) in the AHL with affiliate Chicago Wolves.

Originally a 4th round pick in the 2009 draft (#108 overall), he skated his first three seasons with then farm team Peoria Rivermen but was unable to replicate the numbers he achieved in four campaigns of the WHL, where he put up back-to-back more than a point-per-game totals first with Kamloops Blazers, then finishing out juniors with Calgary Hitmen.

The fairly big 6’3″ 200 lbs. forward was likely looking around for another contract but with no takers signed a one year minor league deal with Stockton Thunder and he has exploded on the score sheet.

He was already at least a bit familiar with the ECHL when he was reassigned for a brief stint early in 2012 with Evansville Icemen. Wasting little time connecting with the back of the net he scored 3 goals and 2 assists in 3 games and was quickly recalled.

Again, he got right to work with his new club and through 63 games has a team second 23 goals and a leading 39 assists and 62 points, while firing 141 shots on net and a new high 99 penalty minutes.

He was loaned temporarily for three games to Worcester Sharks earlier in the season but played more of an energy line, checking role and came away with no points.

The 25-year seems like he should be higher up on the hockey ladder than he is currently but it may be a better bet for him to take his game overseas for 2015/2016.

Denver-Manderson

Undrafted 5th year left wing Denver Manderson(23) signed a one-year two-way deal with Toronto Marlies but has spent a majority of the season reassigned to their ECHL affiliate Orlando Solar Bears, where he leads the team in goals (18) and scoring (49).

His goal total ties his career high mark and 31 assists and point totals are new bests.

The not exactly huge 5’10” 180 lbs. forward has only appeared in 6 AHL games this season and may see one more recall but it’s definitely way down from the 36 games he skated in 2013/2014, while under contract with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

He managed a pair of goals and 9 assists in what would qualify as his rookie campaign in the league.

He also played 27 games with Wheeling Nailers that season scoring 11 goals and 18 assists with a +10 rating and added another 2 tallies and 4 helpers in 6 playoff contests.

Missing the entire 2012/2013 except for one game due to injury, he also played the entire 2011/2012 with the team notching 40 points (18-22) through 51 games.

In maybe a bit of a strange move, he actually started his pro career in Finland’s second tier Mestis with HeKi putting up some respectable marks before the Ontario native turned his attention closer to home.

He also came up through juniors a bit unlikely as he spent most of his time in the lower BCHL putting up outstanding marks (over 2 points per game in his final run as team captain) with Penticton Vees.

It seems likely that he’ll earn himself another contract with an NHL farm club but will have to continue to work hard to find a more permanent spot on the roster.

Zach-Sill

6th year undrafted center Zach Sill(22) was probably a bit surprised and happy to be dealt before the trade deadline from Pittsburgh Penguins to the rebuilding Toronto Maple Leafs.

The 6′ 205 lbs. fourth line agitator started his pro career in the AHL with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins for two seasons before scoring his first major contract, which was extended twice.

It’s up at the end of the current campaign so he’ll have to prove himself with his new team to earn another deal.

2014-2015 has been the 26-year old’s first full run in the show but he’s scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent.

Not exactly know for his scoring prowess, although he did score his first NHL goal and added a pair of assists, he’s mostly used to get under the skin of opponents and welcomes any encounter.

He has 5 fighting majors this season and will likely battle his way into a new contract.

See related: 4/30-12

Kael-Mouillierat

New York Islanders‘ 5th year undrafted left wing Kael Mouillierat(48) has worked hard for every break he’s received.

Signed on the opening day of free agency to his first big league contract, a one-year two-way deal. He spent his first full season 2013-2014 in the AHL with St. John’s IceCaps, where he eclipsed all his career high scoring marks tallying 20 goals and 33 assists in 60 games and added another 7 strikes and 6 helpers in 21 postseason contests that only ended in the 2014 Calder Cup Finals.

The small-ish looking 6′ 190 lbs. forward looks to likely hit a new best in goals (he already has 18 in 51 games) with affiliate Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

First, he will have to be reassigned back down, as patience and hard work pay off and he received his first call-up. Although fairly quiet in his first two appearances he struck for his first point, a key assist, and then got his first NHL goal in his third, a big 5-1 victory.

All probably a bit surreal for a guy that started his first three seasons under agreement with Idaho Steelheads and played his entire rookie season with the ECHL team, where he finished with 119 points in 117 games. yup.

The 27-year old is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the current campaign but you can place bets he’ll be retained to stay where he is to continue his steady, storybook development.

Colin-Stuart

11th year left wing Colin Stuart(49) started 2014/2015 in Sweden’s tier 2 league Allsvenskan with Malmo. It was his second tour of overseas hockey. He played in 2012/2013 for Iserlohn Roosters of the German elite DEL.

He played in 31 games scoring 5 goals and 4 assists with a +4 rating but after a few months decided to leave and sign an spc with Providence Bruins for the remainder of the season.

The 32-year, former three time captain (once in his senior campaign at Colorado College) and 2008 Calder Cup Champion is a good guy to have around for his goal scoring and leadership abilities.

In 28 AHL contests the 6’2″ 205 lbs. forward has already amassed a tidy 8 goals and 8 assists.

He also has 58 games of NHL experience mostly with draft team Atlanta Thrashers and a couple of spins on the ice over two years under contract with Buffalo Sabres.

He should easily help the Boston farm club into a playoff berth.

See related: 12/6-10, 9/9-11, 12/12-11

Mackenzie-Skapski2

New York Rangers‘ 6th round pick in the 2013 draft (#170 overall) rookie goalie Mackenzie Skapski(70) had been playing well for minor league affiliate Hartford Wolf Pack earning him a first recall to the parent club.

He got pressed into action as King Henrik is injured and the complete workload is tough to unload solely on back up Cam Talbot.

In his first NHL game he saved 24 of 25 shots in the 3-1 victory, which gives him a 1.00 GAA and .960 SV%, quite literally a very good start.

The 6’3″ 198 lbs. net minder has a 12-7-3 record in 24 AHL games with a 2.38 GAA and .916 SV%.

In three years of juniors with Kootenay Ice, he consistently put up better numbers each season and was a workhorse playing 65 then 53 games in his last two campaigns.

The 20-year is signed to a three year entry level deal so has plenty of time continue his development but no doubt now that he’s had a taste of the big league it will be tough to go back to riding buses.

He is also one of the few players each year to appear in all three premiere leagues in one hockey season, as he started his pro career with a game in the ECHL for Greenville Road Warriors.

Ryan-Walters2

Iowa Wild‘s undrafted rookie left wing Ryan Walters(15) has been virtually a point-per-game performer while on reassignment with Alaska Aces.

In 26 ECHL games he scored 10 goals and 13 assists.

The 2013 Hobey Baker Award Finalist needed to regain the scoring confidence that had him net 22 goals and 30 assists in his third year and another 27 helpers in his final campaign at University Of Nebraska-Omaha.

The 6′ 190 lbs. power forward was also a bit of a sniper for two years in the USHL with Des Moines Buccaneers.

Without a contract for his first season, he signed an ato to join Bridgeport Sound Tigers after his college career wrapped up.

He skated 11 games potting his first pro goal and added a pair of assists on a very young squad.

As an invite to Minnesota Wild training camp the inner state native did all he could to stay on the radar.

The 23-year was sent down under the watchful eye of the parent club and ultimately inked a one-year AHL standard player contract.

He was recently recalled and in 16 games he has a goal and 5 assists, which is pretty good, but easily more is expected of this prospect.

Not exactly a battle of the giants: Bridgeport Sound Tigers‘ 6’ 185 lbs. Harry Zolnierczyk(16) vs. Hartford Wolf Pack 6’2″ 216 lbs. defenseman Steve Spinell(44).

Unsure of what set this one off but the smaller Zolnierczyk was feisty enough to hold his own.

It was both combatants first and probably only fight of the 2014/2015 season.

The best part of the fight though are the people’s expressions in the background, especially the guy that pops in and out of shots.

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