6th year defenseman Joel Chouinard(49) re-signed at the beginning of 2015/2016 to continue with Toledo Walleye.
Loaned late to Iowa Wild, he finished out last year on the bottom dwelling squad before being returned to participate in the postseason , where he notched 8 assists in 19 Kelly Cup Playoffs match ups.
He’s notching career high marks in the current campaign scoring 6 goals and 19 assists for 25 points as he seems to be settling into a leadership role before once again being called up to the higher league.
He first played just one contest with Chicago Wolves, then returned to Grand Rapid Griffins, who he skated two games for in 2014/2015.
Getting off to a good start, he blended into their system nicely as he recorded a goal and two assists in 7 games before being signed to a two-way deal for the rest of the season.
The soon-to-be 26-year old could be looking to split playoff hockey time between the two squads but there’s still a little time to see if that occurs.
Regardless, this is a player that seems to be getting better as a veteran skater and deserves to be playing at the higher level, but could also be looking overseas to continue.
Joel Chouinard(2) Hamilton Bulldogs
4th year defenseman Joel Chouinard(2) signs a one-year AHL contract to skate with Hamilton Bulldogs or ECHL affiliate Wheeling Nailers in the 2012/2013.
Originally a Colorado Avalanche 6th round pick in the 2008 draft (#187 overall), he was left unqualified after three seasons in the their prospect system, where he played in 98 games with minor league affiliate Lake Erie Monsters but only 10 last year.
Instead he was reassigned for most of the campaign to the Central Hockey League appearing in 42 contests with Denver Cutthroats.
The 6’1″ 190 lbs. blue liner posted career highs in assists and points in the lower league.
He had similar strong marks in his rookie season, putting up a team leading 8 goals and 9 assists in only 35 AHL games.
This first year pro performance extended what he was able to accomplish in his final run of junior hockey with Victoriaville Tigres. He struck for phenomenal 23 tallies, good for first in the league and 35 helpers, which made him a more than point per game guy as a d-man.
The 23-year old will need to step it up again to spend the full season with the Bulldogs.