8th year center John Albert(16) decides to head back overseas signing a one-year deal with Grizzlys Wolfsburg of DEL for 2018/2019.
He played for Karpat of Liiga in 2016/2017 getting 12 goals and 12 assists.
This was successful enough of a campaign to land a contract with Washington Capitals, his first big league deal since 2014/2015 but was reassigned to affiliate Hershey Bears before a near deadline trade sent him to New York Rangers‘ system, where he finished out the term with farm club Hartford Wolf Pack.
The 29-year old takes 339 AHL to Germany, where he should excel nicely and could stick.
John Albert (16)
Only a couple of months into his sophomore campaign he was sidelined with an upper body injury that limited his 2012/2013 availability to just 24 games for the IceCaps.
In his 2nd minor league deal though, he earned enough respect from the parent club to sign him to a 1-year entry level deal as he was preparing for his third season.
He had a strong year too, scoring a career high 28 goals and 45 points, which was enough to give him a first recall to Winnipeg.
With his first shot on net he managed to pot his first and thus far only NHL goal.
He stuck around for just over two weeks skating 9 games averaging 7 shifts for a little over 6 minutes per game of ice time and was pretty effective in the face off dot.
After being sent back to the minors he continued his strong play and leadership, which carried into the Calder Cup Playoffs (1 goal, 6 assists and a +3 rating) through 21 games leading all the way to the Finals.
His play was good enough to score him an extension for 2014/2015, although he spent the entire time with the farm club posting a new best 26 assists.
The 26-year old was given a qualifying offer to retain his playing rights but ultimately has signed another AHL deal with new affiliate Manitoba Moose.
With more good play the 5th year player could easily have that new contract taken up a level and rejoin the big club but we’ll have to see what happens.
John Albert(16) St. John’s IceCaps
2nd year center John Albert(16) was originally an Atlanta Thrashers‘ 6th round pick in the 2007 draft (#175 overall).
He signed an AHL only deal with Winnipeg Jets to play with their affiliate, St. John’s IceCaps for his rookie season in 2011/2012.
In 64 games he popped in 9 goals and 18 assists, while going a very accountable +10 plus/minus on a good team. He also scored 3 goals and added 2 assists in 15 Calder Cup Playoff games that saw the team get to the Eastern Conference Final.
Count the Jets as impressed, because they re-upped with the 23-year old AHL style for a second season.
At 5’11” (when fully stretched) 190 lbs. he’s the type of player that always looks to put himself at the center of the action and finds the open areas of the ice for scoring chances.