6th year left wing Brandon Defazio(24) had a career year scoring (21-22-43) in his 2nd run with Utica Comets while under contract with Vancouver Canucks, which included his only 2 game visit to the NHL.
The unrestricted free agent would leave the nest heading into 2015/2016 signing another 1-year 2-way deal with Boston Bruins.
Almost ironically he matched his scoring best output from the previous season but exactly switched goals t0 22 and assists to 21 in slightly fewer games, while taking his penalty minutes done to a new low level (38).
He wasn’t as lucky in three playoff contests going with no points.
For 2016/2017, the 27-year old has signed his first AHL contract with Texas Stars to continue.
He’ll likey get an invite to Dallas Stars‘ training camp but unless he explodes the score sheet out of the gate will likely stay in the minors.
Brandon DeFazio(39) Vancouver Canucks
Undrafted right wing Brandon DeFazio(39) has been consistently working hard on his game to move up to playing in the show.
In his first season he signed a one-year agreement to join Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and as a youngster put in a respectable 11 goals and 5 assists.
He was rewarded for his efforts with a one-year entry level contract with New York Islanders. He skated exclusively for their affiliate Bridgeport Sound Tigers and saw his point totals rise with another 11 goal season and an assist increase to 14 on a mostly very young, struggling squad.
The feisty 6’1″ 205 lbs. forward that looks slightly smaller than his measurements indicate was noticed by Vancouver Canucks and received another 1-year, 2-way deal.
He stuck with their AHL farm club Utica Comets for the entirety of 2013/2014 but kept escalating his scoring game, hitting the net for a career high 17 goals and 17 assists, 34 points in 76 games.
He’s also been good for over 100 penalty minutes for each of his pro campaigns.
The 26-year old was extended for another season and got right to work, scoring 4 goals to lead the team and adding another pair of tallies resulting in his first NHL recall.
He skated 10 shifts for 6:04 of total ice time with no other stats but it was a team shootout win, so he may stick at least temporarily with the club.
See related: 7/17-12
Brandon DeFazio(24) New York Islanders
Undrafted, rookie left wing Brandon DeFazio(24) enters his 2nd pro season with a one-year, two-way NHL contract courtesy of New York Islanders that will very likely see him play much of the year with their AHL affiliate Bridgeport Sound Tigers.
He signed an AHL deal with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins for 2011/2012. In 66 games, the almost 24-year old forward scored 11 goals and 5 assists with 104 shots on goal and an equal number of pims, ranking him second on the team.
The 6’1 200 lbs. forward plays a very feisty style of game but it’s still to be determined what the Isles saw in him to offer him a big league contract to join the team’s system.