Heading into his 7th season, veteran right wing Eric Selleck(44) will be an unrestricted free agent for the third time in his pro career.
He was nicely fortunate after one-year on a minor league deal with Portland Pirates to catch the attention of the parent club Arizona Coyotes, who signed him to a two-way contract for 2015/2016.
His 23 points in 74 AHL games last season established new career highs in all scoring categories for the decently sized pugilist.
As he’s gotten a little older though it seems he’s pick and choosing his battles with a bit more restraint.
His 7 fighting majors were down more than half from the previous year and he was able to continue the offensive surge raising his goal mark for a season to 10.
The parent club took notice and recalled him for his third NHL game and from a viewer’s standpoint everything seemed to go as planned.
The 28-year old skated 17 shifts for 9:33 including :22 on the power play with 1 shot, 3 hits and 1 5-minute fighting major.
It wouldn’t be a surprised to see him get re-upped for another year right where he is.
He’s a really good role model player for the youngsters in the system to be around.
Eric Selleck(25) Portland Pirates
Portland Pirates‘ 5th year left wing Eric Selleck(25) plays an almost unassuming tough guy style.
He’s had 12 fighting majors in 63 AHL games but also has a career tying 6 goals and best 13 assists with a +3 rating and a likely to increase 164 penalty minutes.
At 6’2″ 220 lbs. he’s definitely big enough to hold his own against just about anyone but will probably not eclipse the 200+ minutes he put up in his first two seasons.
He had a battler 28 bouts as a rookie a personal best/worst 214 minutes in the box.
After a couple of seasons putting up points at SUNY-Oswego, Florida Panthers signed the unrestricted free agent to a 2-year entry level deal and extended it twice before trading him in a farm squad deal to St. Louis Blues.
He managed to get himself a single NHL recall from the Panthers and got tossed in his debut for instigating a fight that caused him to wobble off ice.
He would remain up with the team but waited over another month for his next appearance, in which he put up his first point, an assist.
Without a contract for 2014/2015, he signed a minor league contract and has found himself a not so bad possibly temporary home in Maine.