Anaheim Ducks‘ 5th round pick in the 2010 draft (#122 overall), third year center Chris Wagner(21) is enjoying a quick start to his 2014/2015 campaign.
He notched his first career hat trick (including a pair of short-handed tallies and the game-winning goal) in minor league affiliate Norfolk Admirals‘ season opener and added another strike in his next game.
The 6’ 195 lbs. forward was named CCM Player Of The Week for his strong offensive outburst and recalled for his NHL debut.
He only skated 9 shifts for 4:10 of total ice time and 2 penalty minutes but is still up with the parent club so will get another crack at the ice.
In 148 AHL games he has 26 goals and 27 assists, setting high point marks in 2013/2014 (14-14-28 in a complete 76 game effort) but seemed to be waiting for the kind of point production he enjoyed in a pair of years at Colgate University and two seasons of American juniors in the EJHL.
The 23-year old is in the final season of his three-year entry level deal and trying to make it a no-brainer for an extension.