NHL | CollegeHockeyPlayers

30Mar

Norfolk Admirals’ AHL record-breaking win streak

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When Norfolk Admirals put together a win streak that extended to 18 games, the team entered the AHL history books for the most games played in a single season without suffering a loss.

Now that the Admirals have racked up 21 straight victories it’s starting to get downright ridiculous and folks are wondering if and when it will ever end.

They broke the 17-game win mark set by Philadelphia Phantoms in the 2004/2005 season. The Phantoms also won the Calder Cup that year, which no doubt has speculators hedging their bets.

One thing is for sure, opposing teams are seeing more of Admirals‘ players embracing after scoring goals than they want to on any given night.

30Mar

Nicolas Tremblay(27) Providence Bruins

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Boston Bruins‘ 6th round pick in the 2008 draft (#173 overall) center Nicolas Tremblay(27) signed an ato with Providence at the conclusion of his fourth and final year playing college hockey.

In 4 games he got himself his first pro goal in the team’s desperate shootout win last weekend, also has an assist and looks to be fitting in nicely as the P-Bruins push for a spot in the postseason for the first time in a couple of seasons.

We expect him to sign an entry level contract with the B’s.

29Mar

Allen York(35) Columbus Blue Jackets

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Columbus Blue Jackets‘ 6th round pick in the 2007 draft (#158 overall) rookie goaltender Allen York(35) has played games this season with their affiliates Chicago Express of the ECHL, Springfield Falcons of the AHL and in the big club in the NHL.

No start was more surprising for the 22-year old than when he was recalled on an emergency basis to the Blue Jackets to serve as the back-up netminder and was given the nod after their main guy was injured during the team’s morning skate.

Getting his first win at home in a 29 save effort against Detroit Red Wings also had to put a smile on the big goaltender’s face.

It’s a bit amazing that he’s only played 24 games all season in three different leagues. Should be able to retain his rookie status going into 2012/2013.

28Mar

Frederic St. Denis(32) Montreal Canadiens

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Undrafted 4th year defenseman Frederic St. Denis(32) is getting his chances to play in the NHL with the only team he’s ever been signed with, Montreal Canadiens.

In 11 games he picked up his 1st NHL goal and just got his first assist to go with it. He’s also been an accountable zero plus/minus.

He’s played 196 AHL games with Hamilton Bulldogs scoring 12 goals and 53 assists on what has always been a good team with the exception of this season, where it’s just so-so.

It will be interesting to see if Montreal re-ups with him for a 5th campaign as they look to rebuild.

27Mar

Braden Holtby(1) Washington Capitals

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Washington Capitals‘ third year goaltender Braden Holtby(1) is working hard to steal the number one job with the parent club heading towards a postseason bid.

He’s played a career high 40 AHL games with Hershey Bears collecting a season best 20 wins. His 15 losses is also a regular season personal worst.

After posting 10 wins in 14 games with the Caps last season, it’s a bit of a thinker why they didn’t give him a longer look for the starter position this season.

Although despite being in his 3rd pro season, he’s still only on the 2nd year of his 3-year entry level deal. So they may be taking it slowly with his development.

He was originally a Capitals‘ 4th round pick in the 2009 draft (#93 overall).

27Mar

Alexandre Giroux(12) Springfield Falcons

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High 5’s for 11-year Springfield Falcons‘ veteran center Alexandre Giroux(12) for scoring his 700th career AHL point, a goal last weekend.

He has 364 goals and 336 assists in 764 regular season games played, which is a pretty incredible feat.

He’s not exactly having a career year for scoring this season with 24 goals and 26 assists in 58 games; yet he’s still in the top 20 for points in the league.

In the last three seasons, he’s either won top scorer or come in second.

He’s skated in 48 NHL games scoring 6 goals and 6 assists.

At 6’3″ 202 lbs. he’s a pretty big power forward and has the ability to get in tight and score some goals but has never quite been given the chance.

We remember two and a half great seasons when he was with Hartford Wolf Pack, signed to New York Rangers, who he only played one game for.

He’s only signed with Columbus Blue Jackets for a year, but we hope they re-up with him for another season.

26Mar

Ben Guite(28) Worcester Sharks

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12th year veteran center, Worcester Sharks‘ Ben Guite(28) has missed a majority of 2011/2012 due to complications from a concussion he sustained early in the AHL season.

He recently returned to the team and is contributing in their push toward the Calder Cup Playoffs.

In 15 games this year he has 2 goals and 7 assists but despite not being a prolific goal scorer, he’s look to for his leadership and playing intensity on the ice.

He’s appeared in 175 NHL games (all but seven of them with Colorado Avalanche from 2006 – 2009) scoring 19 goals and 26 assists.

In 574 AHL games he has 101 goals and 172 assists.

He was originally picked by Montreal Canadiens in the 7th round of 1997 draft (#172 overall). The 33-year old signed a one-year, two-way deal with San Jose Sharks in the offseason.

24Mar

Ryan Button (6)

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Boston Bruins‘ 2009 3rd round pick (#86 overall) defenseman Ryan Button(6) has been a bit of a yo-yo in between their AHL and ECHL affiliates, Providence Bruins and Reading Royals in his rookie season.

It’s a bit of a surprised as we would have guessed him to be a steady blue liner for the P-Bruins but despite being up with the team now isn’t on their clear day list for the Calder Cup Playoffs.

Not to say that he won’t be playing in games if they make it to the postseason though.

He hasn’t put up significant numbers on the score sheet in either leagues and is on the negative side of plus/minus but chances are he’ll figure out his game and use that still growing 21-year old 6′ 185 lbs. frame.

He’s only in the first season of his 3-year entry level contract.

Maybe more hours in the gym and spend some time connecting that slapper from the point to the net.

He should have a big shot from the point.

23Mar

Ben Chiarot(18) St. John’s IceCaps

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Rookie defenseman Ben Chiarot(18) started the season with St. John’s IceCaps and played 14 games registering a goal and an assist.

In late January he was reassigned to their ECHL affiliate Colorado Eagles, where he’s fit in nicely, helping the team win scoring 6 goals and 7 assists in 24 games.

The big 6’3″ 222 lbs. blue liner was an Atlanta Thrashers/Winnipeg Jets‘ 4th round pick in the 2009 draft (#120 overall).

He was recently recalled back to St. John’s probably to tune up a bit in the higher league and give some of their regulars a rest as they have already punch their ticket into the Calder Cup Playoffs.

Chances are good that the 20-year old won’t be going back to Loveland, CO unless the IceCaps are given a swift exit from the postseason.

23Mar

Tyler Hostetter(27) Adirondack Phantoms

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Rookie defenseman Tyler Hostetter(27) was invited to Philadelphia Flyers‘ camp in 2009 and signed as an undrafted free agent to a 3-year entry level deal with the club before being returned to his junior team for another couple of seasons.

He’s played most of his first pro season in the ECHL on loan to Trenton Titans, where he has 7 goals and 7 assists in 32 games.

But he’s on a short leash to their AHL affiliate Adirondack Phantoms. He’s played only 7 games with no points but has to be near a half dozen call-ups and reassignments already this season. Matter of fact, he could already be back with the Titans‘ for this weekend games after his most recent stint.

At 5’11” 182 lbs., the 21-year old will definitely have to play bigger than he is but looks to have the ability to grow into his game with age. Eat them Wheaties.