Anaheim Ducks | CollegeHockeyPlayers

Tagged: Anaheim Ducks

18Sep

Dany Heatley(51) Nurnberg Ice Tigers

Posted in AHL, NHL | Leave a comment

Anaheim Ducks‘ 14th year veteran left wing Dany Heatley(51) signed a one year deal over the summer after spending a three seasons with Minnesota Wild (two as assistant captain), 2 with San Jose Sharks, 4 with Ottawa Senators and his first three with 2000 draft team (1st round, #2 overall) Atlanta Thrashers.

He was hampered by an early groin injury at the beginning of the campaign and then had to fight to gain a roster spot on an already pretty deep team with many prospects in the wings.

When he did get in, reports have it that he looked out of step, unable to keep up and failed to connect with the score sheet in six contests.

Before Christmas for the first time ever he was put on waivers for reassignment to under performing minor league affiliate Norfolk Admirals.

The somewhat huge 6’3″ 219 lbs. forward looks a lot out of place skating in the AHL but basically seems to only have it in third gear most of the time.

He has an unimpressive 2 tallies and 5 helpers in 24 games.

Where the former two-time 50 goal scorer goes next is fully up in the air but retirement may not be out of the question for the 34-year old.

In a career 869 NHL games, he has scored an absolutely phenomenal 372 goals and 419 assists with a +38 rating and won an Olympic Gold Medal in 2010 with Team Canada, pretty great stats to hang up the skates with.

Original story: 2/24-15

Four days after this article was posted he would get traded from the Ducks‘ organization to Florida Panthers and be reassigned to their minor league affiliate San Antonio Rampage.

Even though he wasn’t going to be skating more NHL games with the big club, it was easily a much happier landing place as he was on a high scoring squad in playoff contention.

His play pointed towards better surroundings as he scored 6 goals and 7 assists in 18 contests but failed to connect in three postseason match-ups.

As his 15th season of pro hockey approaches he makes the commitment to join Nurnberg Ice Tigers as the new DEL calendar is just getting started.

He should be able to fully find his scoring touch on the bigger sheets of ice and may play out a few more years overseas before deciding to move onto the next chapter post-hockey life.

28Aug

Jesse Blacker(4) Texas Stars

Posted in AHL, NHL | Leave a comment

3rd year defenseman Jesse Blacker(4) was swapped to Anaheim Ducks‘ organization earlier this season in what amounted to a mostly minor league transaction.

He was originally a Toronto Maple Leafs‘ 2nd round pick in the 2009 draft (#58 overall) and spent a couple of good campaigns with their farm team, Toronto Marlies.

The change of scenery to the Ducks‘ AHL affiliate Norfolk Admirals has done him lots of good, as he’s already surpassed his career high with 5 goals and 17 points and is well on his way to recording more helpers than he’s put up in one season.

The 6’2″ 190 lbs. blue liner received a pair of late call-ups in 2012/2013 but was never inserted into the lineup.

The 22-year old’s entry level deal is up at the end of the current campaign and he’s set to become a restricted free agent but with his consistent play it would be easy to see him finally make his NHL debut and extended at least another season.

He was also on 2009 Memorial Cup and OHL Champion junior hockey team, Windsor Spitfires.

Original story: 1/9-14

Finishing the 2013/2014 with an AHL career high 6 goals, 19 assists and 24 points, he would also own an abysmal -16 plus/minus on a team that squeaked into the postseason.

He played another 10 Calder Cup Playoff games contributing a goal.

With his initial deal expiring he was extended for another year and finally made his first NHL appearance.

He skated 9 shifts for 6:03 with one hit and one break-up but was a -2 in the loss.

The recall was in all likelihood to display him for a trade option, which happened as he was dished to Florida Panthers just days later.

He was immediately sent to affiliate San Antonio Rampage, where he finished out the season but the parent club with another rough -15 rating chose not to qualify him, rendering the 24-year old an unrestricted free agent.

For his 5th pro campaign he signed a one-year minor league contract with Texas Stars for 2015/2016.

He may see better results going forward with the pressure from above to excel and may just re-find his footing.

26Aug

Mathieu Carle(27) Adler Mannheim

Posted in AHL, NHL | Leave a comment

After 5 seasons of towing the blue line in the AHL 25-year old Montreal Canadiens‘ 2nd round pick in the 2006 draft (#53 overall), Mathieu Carle(27) reportedly will leave North American hockey for some Russian action with Dinamo Riga in the KHL in 2012/2013. He would have been a restricted agent with Anaheim Ducks in line for a qualifying offer.

He’s appeared in 296 AHL games with Hamilton Bulldogs before he was traded and reassigned last season to Syracuse Crunch.

The 6’0 206 lbs. d-man is almost always an effective plus player on the ice, this season notching a +7. He also had career highs in games played (72), assists (31) and points (37).

He’s only ever appeared in 3 NHL games with the Canadiens but you know what? He went a +1. Good luck to him.

Original story: 5/6-12

He would play most of the 2012/2013 season in the KHL but very close to the end of his first visit overseas signed to play the remainder of the year in the Swiss’ NLA with Geneve Survette HC and even skated 7 postseason games helping out on three assists.

For the next pair of years he had pretty good success heading back to Russia under contract with Medvescak Zagreb. In 81 games he had 5 goals and 31 assists.

As he enters his 9th pro season he trades in one country for another on a third occasion and will try his hand in DEL with Adler Mannheim.

The pretty tough guy defensive styled game the 28-year old plays should do quite well here.

19Aug

Stefan Chaput(21) Olimpija Ljubljana

Posted in AHL, ECHL, NHL | Leave a comment

5th year center Stefan Chaput(21) hooks up with Hamilton Bulldogs for the 2012/2013 season on a one-year AHL contract.

He missed all but 11 games with Providence Bruins last year due to hip surgery, groin, upper body, you name it. Apparently healthy once again, he’ll look to regain some of that scoring spark he had when he first came to the P-Bruins in 2010 and from his “rookie” season in the Carolina Hurricanes‘ system with Albany River Rats.

The 6′ 192 lbs. forward was originally a Canes‘ 5th round pick in 2006 (#153 overall). He’s not an overly big player and doesn’t really play that style of game but given some room he can make things happen and the Bulldogs are counting on some of that magic to reappear. He has yet to appear in an NHL game.

Original story: 9/19-12

He would start his new season on reassignment down to Wheeling Nailers, where in 15 ECHL games he scored 3 goals and 6 assists before being recalled to spend the rest of the campaign with Hamilton.

Although not what he was able to achieve in his earlier career, he still was able to do ok with 5 goals and 12 assists in 48 games but was a woeful -12 plus/minus.

It was good enough to get him another contract for 2013/2014, but when he was once again to start the new year in the lower league he decided to split signing briefly with Cornwall River Kings of the LNAH.

He received another AHL look on a pto with Utica Comets but failed to connect in three games and was released.

His next step may have been one of his most important, as he agreed to terms halfway through the season to head overseas joining Ravensburg Towerstars of DEL2.

Seemed like the right move as he found that scoring touch connecting for 9 goals and 11 assists in 16 games and added another tally and 4 more helpers in 5 playoff match-ups.

For 2014/2015 he decided to stay put in Germany but switch allegiances inking a deal with rivals Dresdner Eislowen.

He would post career highs for his new squad notching 20 goals and 34 assists for 54 points in 43 games but came up a bit empty in a short postseason.

Heading into his 8th year, the now 27-year old has decided to move on to Austria’s Erste Bank Eishockey Liga to skate with Olimpija Ljubljana, where he may be a bit more challenged to keep up those scoring stats from last season but will be a good challenge.

18Aug

Steven Whitney(23) Norfolk Admirals

Posted in AHL, NHL | Leave a comment

Anaheim Ducks‘ undrafted right wing Steven Whitney(23) signed an ato with minor league affiliate Norfolk Admirals after finishing his four-year college hockey career at Boston College. The 22-year old was considered the best unselected player available.

He scored his first pro goal in his AHL debut and has added 3 more assists in 5 games played.

The 5’7″ 165 lbs. forward is a ball of energy out there and has no problem dishing the puck for scoring chances or getting himself into the open areas of the ice to bury it despite being one of the smallest skaters.

In his final two seasons with the Eagles he was a point-per-game guy, won a pair of NCAA Championships and continues on that tear.

He signed a two-year NHL entry level deal through 2015 and has to be making the parent club smile about their new prospect.

Original story: 4/17-13

In 8 games on the ato he would get 3 goals and an assist but had a -2 rating.

To start his sophomore campaign he was basically reassigned back to the Admirals and stayed there for 65 games. He would only connect for 10 goals and 13 assists with a -7 plus/minus.

He wasn’t extended a qualifying offer to continue in the Ducks‘ prospect system and basically took the first half of his third season off.

When he decided it was time to start playing hockey again, he made a smart signing with Florida Everblades.

In 23 games he would net 8 goals and 8 assists with a +7 rating but came up a bit empty in the postseason with only one tally and 2 helpers.

The now 24-year old isn’t mulling a decision heading into 2015/2106, maybe a little ironically signing a one-year deal back with Norfolk Admirals but since dropped down a rung to the ECHL.

07Aug

Igor Bobkov(35) Admiral Vladivostok

Posted in AHL, ECHL, NHL | Leave a comment

Anaheim Ducks‘ 3rd round pick in the 2009 draft (#76 overall), 2nd year Russian goaltender Igor Bobkov(35) found himself dropping in the team’s depth chart and reassigned to ECHL affiliate Utah Grizzlies to start the final year of his 3-year entry level deal. The first season had a “slide” as he was signed but returned to junior hockey with Kingston Frontenacs.

He turned pro with a pair of AHL starts in 2011 and 4 more at the end of 2012 but officially began his rookie campaign with minor league affiliate Norfolk Admirals last year.

The gigantic 6’6″ 235 lbs. goalie has yet to put up decent numbers on this side of the ice and there’s now a bit of a logjam in net with hot prospects, so could find himself on the trading block to see if there’s any takers.

The still super-young 22-year old will either have to find his game pretty quickly at this point or return to his home country and join a KHL team. Or he could head elsewhere.

He was recently recalled to the higher league after three starts in double A hockey but ultimately may still play out the remainder of his contract in Utah.

Original story: 10/27-13

He would bounce between Ducks‘ affiliates for much 2013/2014 playing more games with better success in the lower league, but he was still signed to a one-year extension approaching restricted free agency and continued to battle to get back on the parent club’s radar.

In his new contract year though, he would play a fewest 7 games with a less than great 4.27 GAA and .852 SV% on a Norfolk team that struggled mightily.

He reached new career highs with Utah Grizzlies playing in a high 34 contests with 19 wins and 4 shutouts and continued his good play helping them get into the 2nd round of the playoffs before their exit.

At 24-years old and looking at another season working on his game in the minors, he has decided to jump ship heading home to the KHL on 2-year deal with Admiral Vladivostok.

06Aug

Maxime Sauve(7) Hershey Bears

Posted in AHL, NHL | Leave a comment

Norfolk Admirals‘ center Maxime Sauve(7) has definitely experienced some troubles in his fourth pro season finding a permanent spot on a roster.

Traded to Chicago Blackhawks near the end of last year, the final campaign of his entry level deal, he was left unqualified rendering him an unrestricted free agent going into 2013/2014.

Invited by Anaheim Ducks to their training camp, he was released from his pto and reassigned to their minor league affiliate, where he started the season.

It remains unclear if he ever signed a contract but the 6’1″ 190 lbs. forward skated in 47 AHL games with the team but put up his fewest point totals and was watching contests from the stands on too many occasions.

He has been prone to upper and lower body and concussions throughout his playing time. He was even injured in his one NHL game with Boston Bruins.

Sat for the first game of the Calder Cup Playoffs, he was inserted into the lineup in the 2nd meeting, which was a win evening the series at 1-1.

The 24-year old was the hero scoring the 1st overtime game-winner of a 1-0 game 3 victory.

He’ll no doubt be back to see if he can continue on a streak and help the Admirals into the next round of action.

What happens after the end of the current run is up in the air, as he will once again be unrestricted.

Original story: 5/1-14

He decided to sign for a year overseas joining Kolner Haie Sharks of DEL but once again succumbed to injury playing only 27 games scoring a career low 3 goals 6 assists.

Hershey Bears have stepped in and take a chance for 2015/2016 thinking the now 25-year old veteran skater still has jets and maybe even a little something to prove.

See related: 12/25-10, 2/28-11, 3/14-12

27Jul

Josh Manson(42) Anaheim Ducks

Posted in AHL, NHL | Leave a comment

Anaheim Ducks‘ 6th round pick in the 2011 draft (#160 overall) defenseman Josh Manson(38) decided to leave a final year at Northeastern University on the shelf after captaining the team in his third season.

He signed a two-year entry level contract at the conclusion of his college hockey schedule and was reassigned to finish the regular season with farm club, Norfolk Admirals.

In 9 regular season AHL games he notched his first pro goal, while helping backbone the team into the postseason for the first time in a couple seasons.

The 6’3″ 205 lbs. blue liner has been quick to show he belongs out there in this bonus time of hockey.

He scored his second goal in the second round of the Calder Cup Playoffs.

The 22-year old is the son of hockey great Dave Manson and should follow in his dad’s footsteps into the NHL but may have to spend at least one season in the minors before he gets there.

Original story: 5/12-14

He was a late cut from training camp, recalled less than a month into the season and got into his first NHL action on Halloween night.

Reassigned six weeks later he would spend the next couple months in the minors before heading back up and was send back down late in the season to finish out his rookie season with Norfolk, where he struck for 3 goals and 6 assists in 36 AHL games.

In the big league he notched three assists with a +1 rating, while skating mostly on average 20 minutes per game and proving his size was going to be tough to play against.

He went up once again to help out the team for the playoffs but did not make an appearance.

He’ll turn 24-years old just as 2015/2016 starts and the Ducks signed him to a two-year 1-way contract extension and he’s expected to stick with the big club.

22Jul

Antoine Laganiere(28) San Diego Gulls

Posted in AHL | 1 Comment

Anaheim Ducks‘ left wing Antoine Laganiere(28) finished his first year with 10 goals, 8 assists in 72 games and given an extension for a second season.

In his sophomore campaign he upped his totals in the AHL playing a new high 73 contests and scoring 14 goals and 21 points.

He still carried a -6 plus/minus but was on a team that found ways to lose on a nightly basis.

The now 25-year old enters his third season signed to a minor league deal with his former NHL contract team’s affiliate San Diego Gulls.

It would be surprising if he didn’t increase his game to another level.

07Jul

Kyle Wilson(7) MODO

Posted in AHL, ECHL, NHL | Leave a comment

After 7 seasons of pro hockey in North America, 28-year old center Kyle Wilson(7) opts for a 1-year contract to join 2012 and 2013 KHL champs Dinamo Riga.

He was most recently signed to a two-year deal by Nashville Predators with the second year of the deal on a one-way contract.

The 6’2″ 200 lbs. forward was moved in the off season to Tampa Bay Lightning, playing only 22 games for their minor league affiliate Syracuse Crunch but was once again on the chopping block after scoring only 5 goals.

He was traded to Anaheim Ducks, where he was reassigned to Norfolk Admirals and seemed to regain some of his scoring touch with 3 goals and 9 assists in 16 games.

In 427 AHL games, he has amassed an impressive 319 points (149 goals and 170 assists) with an outstanding +48 rating and won back-to-back Calder Cup Championships with Hershey Bears.

Originally a Minnesota Wild 9th round pick in the 2004 draft (#272 overall), he has skated in 39 NHL games with 3 different teams recording a modest 4 goals and 9 assists.

He was set to become an unrestricted free agent upon deciding to take his game overseas.

Original story: 6/12-13

He had an exceptional first season with Dinamo Riga scoring close to point-per-game numbers (17-27-44) in 49 games but was sidelined late in the campaign with a back injury.

The Oakville, ON native would switch KHL teams in the offseason on a pair of occasions and start 2014/2015 with Traktor Chelyabinsk but returned to Dinamo Riga after 22 contests.

His production suffered greatly, as he was possibly still recovering from surgery, only connecting for 2 goals and 13 assists.

Heading into his 9th season the 30-year old moves on to join MODO of the SHL for 2015/2016 and should be able to get his mojo back.

See related: 3/8-11, 3/12-13

« Older posts