Tagged: Anaheim Ducks

11Jun

Dan Sexton (23)

Posted in AHL | Leave a comment

Dan-Sexton2

In the 2nd year of his deal, Dan Sexton(42) was swapped out in minor trade with Tampa Bay Lightning that sent him right back to their new affiliate Syracuse Crunch, where he helped them go all the way to the 2013 AHL Calder Cup Finals.

He was offered a qualifying offer for 2013/2014 but decided it was time to move on signing a one-year deal with TPS of Finland’s SM-liiga.

After contributing almost a point-per-game production he sought to be released and received an offer to skate for Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk in the KHL for the remainder of the season.

He would re-sign to stay on for a complete campaign and led the team in all scoring categories for 2014/2015 with 19 goals and 28 assists, 47 points in 49 games.

The now 28-year old will continue where he is for 2015/2016 and could really be finding his scoring stride overseas and potentially pursue a return home to North American pro hockey.

03Jun

Andrew Gordon (10)

Posted in AHL, ECHL | Leave a comment

Andrew-Gordon

 

 

After going to the Calder Cup Finals with the IceCaps 8th year center Andrew Gordon(10) signed a one-year two-way deal with Philadelphia Flyers on the second day of free agency.

Once again he was in the parent club’s training camp but reassigned early and played the complete 76 AHL game slate with new affiliate Lehigh Valley Phantoms without receiving a recall.

He did ok scoring 18 goals and 24 assists on a team that teetered on the .500 mark for most of the season.

With what looks to be diminishing opportunities to skate games in the show, the 29-year old has decided to take his scoring threat over to Europe and gets a one-year deal with Linkoping of the SHL.

See related: 2/28-12

04Apr

Stefan Noesen(64) Anaheim Ducks

Posted in AHL, NHL | Leave a comment

Stefan-Noesen

Anaheim Ducks‘ rookie center Stefan Noesen(64) was probably thinking if it wasn’t for bad luck, he’d have no luck at all to begin his pro career.

Originally an Ottawa Senators‘ 1st round pick in the 2011 draft (#21 overall), he was traded after three seasons of more than a point-per-game production in juniors with Plymouth Whalers.

Ready to start with his new team, he was reassigned to minor league affiliate Norfolk Admirals and after only two games in, he popped both his acl and mcl requiring season ending surgery.

The tough-playing forward that’s always grinding in front of the opposing net was able to return for the second round of the playoffs and instantly contributed 4 assists in 4 postseason contests before being eliminated.

Ready to make a comeback for his new first campaign to start 2014/2015, he got all of four games under his belt before yet again fell to an injury to the tune of a severely cut Achilles’ tendon that required him to be sidelined for another 3 and a half month stint.

Finally set to begin what should be a great run playing the sport he loves, the 6’2″ 205 lbs. pivot was introduced back into the lineup and isn’t looking back.

In 23 AHL games he has 3 goals and 5 assists on a team that is win challenged but he always brings the energy and the gusto.

The 22-year old’s persistence to be a difference maker on the ice has caught the attention of the parent club who gave him a first NHL recall.

He skated a conservative 10 shifts for 6:54 total ice time with one breakup.

This digger prospect will definitely find his place in the show eventually but needs to continue to work hard to completely return to form and assure his place.

06Mar

Mark Fistric(7) Norfolk Admirals

Posted in AHL, NHL | Leave a comment

Mark-Fistric

Anaheim Ducks‘ 9th year defenseman Mark Fistric(7) was reassigned to affiliate Norfolk Admirals after 9 games and no points.

It’s his first significant time in the minors since 2008/2009, when he played 35 AHL contests for Manitoba Moose while under contract with Dallas Stars, the team that selected him in the 1st round of 2004 draft (#28 overall).

The sizable 6’2″ 230 lbs. blue liner spent his first six years in the prospect system and played three full NHL seasons with the team before being traded to his hometown Edmonton Oilers.

He played with them for a single season before signing for one-year with the Ducks as an unrestricted free agent. He would re-up mid-season for another three-year deal through 2017.

Never known as a big point getter, the 28-year old is a hard-nosed, stay-at-home style defensive specialist that isn’t afraid to mix it up.

Although he may be spending some extended time with the farm team this season, he could be recalled at any point, and with his +28 rating through 325 games in the big league he’s at the very least accountable on ice.

What happens for the former Vancouver Giants‘ 2006 WHL Champion’s future in the off-season is a bit of a wonder.

He’s not on the books for much money and could be kept around for insurance and to help out the youngsters but that’s purely speculation.

25Feb

Devante Smith-Pelly (21)

Posted in AHL | Leave a comment

Devante-Smith-Pelly

Montreal Canadiens pick up a power forward personality player in 4th year left wing Devante Smith-Pelly(21) for their playoff push in an even swap with Anaheim Ducks, his draft team (2010 round 2, #42 overall), the only team he’s skated for.

The 6’0 220 lbs. wide body set new career highs for games played (54), assists (12) and points (19) in the current campaign.

He still has one-year on his current deal, so he’s likely in for the haul with this trade.

At only 22-years old he has the ability to make a third line into a fluke scoring machine and he may get more freedom to do explore in the new system.

30Jan

The AHL moves west

Posted in AHL, ECHL, NHL | Leave a comment

AHLfaceoff

At 3:30pm ET AHL president Dave Andrews announced the creation on a Pacific Division that will play in the Western Conference of the league starting 2015/2016.

The cities effectively losing teams are Oklahoma City Barons, which happened earlier this season, Norfolk Admirals, Glens Falls/Adirondack Flames after only one run, Worcester Sharks and rivals Manchester Monarchs.

Picking up teams will be soon to be former ECHL franchises Ontario (Los Angeles), Bakersfield (Edmonton) and Stockton (Calgary). San Diego (Anaheim) will be a new city for triple A hockey although did at one time have a Gulls, and San Jose‘s farm club will play out of the same building as the Sharks; and will likely be renamed.

It’s fairly well-thought that Manchester, Adirondack and Norfolk make announcement to join the double A league and there’s rumors racing around Worcester is exploring the options and would have the best chance at success by resurrecting the Ice Cats, while Oklahoma City may get back into the fold under their old successful Blazers‘ banner after a year on the sidelines.

This move was 100% inevitable and can easily make fiscal sense. Those west coast teams draw fairly well with their fan base of hockey lovers.

On the plus side for Eastern Conference folks, chances are Utica, Rochester, Charlotte, Hamilton and even possible Toronto enter in their rivalry picture.

The big news is the top level of minor league hockey in California has arrived.

12Nov

Mat Clark (2)

Posted in AHL, NHL | Leave a comment

mat clark

Anaheim Ducks‘ 2nd round pick in the 2009 draft (#37 overall) tough guy defenseman Mat Clark(2) has skated in the prospect system for 5 seasons, originally signing a 3-year entry level deal and then given a pair of extensions.

The 6’3″ 225 lbs. blue liner played in two NHL games late in his sophomore campaign but has spent most of his time with now affiliate Norfolk Admirals and earlier Syracuse Crunch.

Shoulder surgery limited him to just 23 AHL games last season but the rugged d-man returned raring to go for 2014/2015.

Despite his in-your-face style game he hasn’t spent much time in the penalty box since his rookie year and rarely drops the gloves.

He was one of the final cuts to be reassigned from training camp and came out strong with the farm club getting two assists in his first 11 appearances, which matched last year’s limited time totals.

Through only two years of junior hockey in the OHL he definitely showed an ability to head man the puck and picked up 36 assists in his time with Brampton Battalion.

Recently recalled to the parent club, he skated 22 shifts playing a healthy 16:59 of total ice time, including 1:10 shorthanded minutes in the shootout loss.

Still only 24-years old, he’s filling in a spot due to injury but could find himself being groomed and ready for a full time spot, especially if he can continue to punish opponents.

See related: 4/4-12

06Nov

Brad Winchester(15) Norfolk Admirals

Posted in AHL, NHL | Leave a comment

Brad Winchester2Sizable 6’5″ 230 lbs. left wing Brad Winchester(15) signed his first minor league contract to play professional hockey in his 12th year of service.

The 33-year old inked late for a one year AHL deal with Norfolk Admirals. He was also invited to Anaheim Ducks‘ training camp to start ’14/’15 but was among the first to be released, despite having a strong showing.

He actually spent 19 regular season and 3 postseason games with them a few seasons ago amongst the many teams he’s skated for.

Originally an Edmonton Oilers‘ 2nd round pick in the 2000 draft (#35 overall), he played his first four years in their system including his first two stints with a pair of farm club Roadrunners, first Toronto then Edmonton.

It wasn’t until his fourth season that he became a regular in the show.

He’s appeared in 390 NHL games (mostly through three years with St. Louis Blues) scoring 37 goals, 31 assists and a monster -42 rating.

His last pair of campaigns have been exclusively in the minors and he seems fairly comfortable assuming the role of assistant captain.

He’s quite the poiny scorer in the league too at 96 goals and 81 assists in 319 games but still haunted by a horrible -32 plus/minus.

It remains to be seen if those on ice accountability numbers will improve but he’s off to a hot start with a first time reversed 3 goals and 4 assists in 9 games and a +1.