Crazy to think 2015/2016 is Tampa Bay Lightning‘s 28-year old right wing Mike Blunden(46)‘s 10th pro season.
He’s played NHL games in every season, except one, 2008-2009.
That year he’d spend it in the minors with Chicago Blackhawks‘ affiliate Rockford IceHogs before being traded from draft team to Columbus Blue Jackets and was immediately sent to their farm club Syracuse Crunch with no recall.
The pretty sizable 6’4″ 217 lbs. forward worked his way into parent club’s lineup for 40 games in the next campaign and then two seasons later was on the roster 39 times skating for Montreal Canadiens in his first year under contract.
Signed as an unrestricted free agent by Tampa Bay Lightning in 2014/2015 and given an extension before his time was up for a second tour, he got into 2 big league games last season and only a month into the new session he’s already up for a visit.
He’s also back where he was 5 years prior with Syracuse Crunch, the Bolts‘ affiliate since 2012.
In a 1-0 loss to interstate rival Florida Panthers, he played 10 shifts for only 5:24 total ice but managed 1 shot, 4 hits and :04 of power play time.
It will definitely be interesting to see what he decides for his next career move.
Mike Blunden(12) Montreal Canadiens
6th year pro (drafted in 2005, round 2 #43 overall by Chicago), right wing Mike Blunden(12) joins Montreal Canadiens‘ system for 2011/2012. He was traded in early July by Columbus for Ryan Russell, whose twin brother Kris Russell already plays for the Blue Jackets.
Blunden(12) has played 51 games in the NHL, registering only 4 points (2 goals, 2 assists). He likely be a contributor for the team’s AHL affiliate in Hamilton.