4th year right wing Vinny Saponari(34) leaves North American pro hockey after three seasons of bouncing around between two leagues for Frisk Asker of Norway’s GET-ligaen.
He started 2015/2016 on a pto with Portland Pirates after competing for a spot in their training camp but was released a month in after playing only 6 AHL games but scored a nifty 1 goal and 3 assists with a +4 rating, so it’s a bit of a wonder what happened.
The 6’1 195 lbs. forward signed to return to Greenville Swamp Rabbits, where he spent most of the previous campaign on reassignment while under contract with Hartford Wolf Pack.
In that season he put up a career high 18 goals and 51 assists for 69 points with a +17, which had him first on the team in helpers and tied for overall scoring.
The former Boston University won the 2009 NCAA Championship but was sent away a year later for disciplinary issues and joined Dubuque Fighting Saints producing at better than a point-per-game before heading back into the college ranks with Northeastern Univerity Huskies to complete his degree.
Upon graduation he signed an ato with St. John’s IceCaps appearing in 7 games grabbing his first goal and assist.
He agreed to a first minor league contract with Milwaukee Admirals for his rookie season doing admirably with 15 goals and 18 assists but also spent 14 contests down with Cincinnati Cyclones.
Originally an Atlanta Thrashers‘ 4th round pick in the 2008 draft (#94 overall), the 26-year old should find his space to connect overseas and climb the European hockey ladder.