Heading into his 8th pro season, center Tony Romano(8) departs after a successful campaign with Lorenskog of Norway’s GET-ligaen for Odense Bulldogs of Denmark’s Metal Ligaen.
He put up a career high 17 goals and 38 assists in only 39 games with a +23 rating, then went on to score another 6 goals and 9 assists in 17 playoff contests.
This offensive outburst came after two years in Sweden’s tier two Allsvenskan with a pair of different squads.
It’s almost ironic the former New York Islanders‘ prospect was on a tryout to join Vienna Capitals of Erste Bank Eishockey Liga after he was left unqualified for 2012/2013.
He would eventually earn a contract and at this point the rest is history as he makes his way through Europe playing professional hockey.
Tony Romano(8) Vienna Capitals
4th year center Tony Romano(8) was not qualified by New York Islanders after his three-year entry level contract expired at the conclusion of last season.
He was a local player, born on Long Island in Smithtown, NY.
For 2012/2013 he signed a tryout agreement with Vienna Capitals of the Erste Bank Hockey League (Austria).
It would be a big surprise if he failed to make the team.
In 2011/2012, his third AHL season with Bridgeport Sound Tigers the 24-year old put up career highs in just about every category scoring 12 goals and 22 assists for 34 points, finishing 5th on the team.
He was also a +3 plus/minus and connected with 117 shots on net.
Still, the 5’10” 177 lbs. is relatively small and not always as strong on the puck as he should be, so found himself in and out of the lineup at times and was even reassigned to the ECHL Chicago Express for a wake-up weekend.
It actually worked because his point production soared afterwards.
He was originally a New Jersey Devils‘ 6th round pick in the 2006 draft (#178 overall) but traded to the Isles before he ever signed.