Winnipeg Jets‘ 5th round pick in the 2011 draft (#149 overall) tough, second year right wing Austen Brassard(50) saw his offensive abilities come to life with affiliate St. John’s IceCaps.
He posted career high AHL games played (75), goals (6), assists (12) and points (18), while still playing mostly a fourth line energy role.
The 6’2″ 207 lbs. forward was many times a healthy scratch in his rookie season appearing in only 29 games and none in the postseason as the team went all the way to the Calder Cup Finals.
He had some decent scoring prowess with Belleville Bulls of the OHL managing an average of 20 goals and close to 20 assists in each of his last three campaigns.
He also saw his fighting jump up to a new level in his final year of junior hockey to 8, but has seemed to pick and choose his battles since turning pro with only 4 5-minute major penalties in each of his two seasons.
The 22-year old is signed through 2015/2016 on his entry level deal and it will be interesting to see if he can further increase his totals and playing time.
4th year undrafted center Ahmed Mahfouz(19) may be pro hockey greatest under-achiever of the moment.
Playing in his fourth season, second with Federal Hockey League‘s Dayton Demons he won his second title, President’s Cup in 2013/2014 (his first was as a rookie with Akwesasne Warriors).
The 5’11” 198 lbs. forward from Ottawa, ON has been league MVP two straight seasons, scored the most goals for two, had the most assists (63 helpers) and points (96) this past campaign and of course, was rookie of the year.
He played one game this past season on call up to the Central Hockey League with Brampton Beast. He scored a goal.
The 25-year old is basically almost a 2 point-per-game player in single A hockey and is a bit of a pest with well over 100 penalty minutes each run.
He should push himself a bit and take it up to the next level.
After scoring AHL Player Of The Week honors the last week of November for his 5 goals, +3 performance in a couple of games with Rochester Americans, assistant captain, left wing Derek Whitmore(21) received his first ever call-up to the NHL.
Originally undrafted, he has played in Buffalo Sabres‘ prospect system for 4 years. He was re-signed twice in the past two seasons as his numbers have steadily increased playing for their AHL affiliates.
In two games, he has yet to put up a point but has played over 10 minutes in each of the contests. He’s always been a very accountable player out there.
He currently leads the Amerks in scoring with 13 goals and 7 assists in 29 games.
