Tagged: 2014 Calder Cup Finals

Kael-Mouillierat

New York Islanders‘ 5th year undrafted left wing Kael Mouillierat(48) has worked hard for every break he’s received.

Signed on the opening day of free agency to his first big league contract, a one-year two-way deal. He spent his first full season 2013-2014 in the AHL with St. John’s IceCaps, where he eclipsed all his career high scoring marks tallying 20 goals and 33 assists in 60 games and added another 7 strikes and 6 helpers in 21 postseason contests that only ended in the 2014 Calder Cup Finals.

The small-ish looking 6′ 190 lbs. forward looks to likely hit a new best in goals (he already has 18 in 51 games) with affiliate Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

First, he will have to be reassigned back down, as patience and hard work pay off and he received his first call-up. Although fairly quiet in his first two appearances he struck for his first point, a key assist, and then got his first NHL goal in his third, a big 5-1 victory.

All probably a bit surreal for a guy that started his first three seasons under agreement with Idaho Steelheads and played his entire rookie season with the ECHL team, where he finished with 119 points in 117 games. yup.

The 27-year old is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the current campaign but you can place bets he’ll be retained to stay where he is to continue his steady, storybook development.

Connor Hellebuyck

Winnipeg Jets‘ 5th round pick in the 2012 draft (#130 overall) rookie goalie Connor Hellebuyck(37) is doing everything, including standing on his head to make saves, trying to push farm club St. John’s IceCaps into a playoff berth after last year making it all the way to the 2014 Calder Cup Finals.

The 6’4″ 200 lbs. net minder has started 40 AHL games, more than any other, is tied with a league leading 22 wins and 14 losses to go along with a 2.36 GAA and .926 SV%.

He’s tied for the lead in shutouts with 5 and his goals against average is good enough for 5th among first year back stops.

After two seasons of outstanding numbers with UMass-Lowell Riverhawks including the 2012 NCAA Hockey East Championship and goaltender of the year award in his first year, the 21-year old maybe rightly decided it was time to turn pro.

He’d also shared the top player between the pipes honors in his only year of American juniors in the NAHL with Odessa Jackalopes.

Although he has yet to receive his first NHL recall, he’s easily being groomed and has time as he’s signed to an entry level deal through 2017.