Former Carolina Hurricanes 3rd round pick (#69 overall) in 2004, defenseman Casey Borer(28) flies the coop after 4 years in the prospect system including 16 NHL games.
Last season was the first he failed to appear in any big league contests playing in 67 games with their AHL affiliate Charlotte Checkers, so the writing had to be on the wall: fell off their depth chart.
For 2011/2012, he signs to play in the Czech Extraliga (Extra League) with HC Pardubice.
9-year veteran center Michael Ryan(14) comes full circle in his career signing a one-year, two-way deal with Buffalo for 2011/2012. He’s expected to play mostly with Rochester in the AHL. He was drafted back in 1999 by Dallas (2nd round, #32 overall) but never signed by them.
He played the first five years of his career with the Sabres (65 games) / Amerks (210 games).
Last season he played a few games for Springfield but mostly with Adirondack Phantoms, where he put up some impressive numbers (52 games played, 25 goals and 16 assists).
Seems strange to be using the word veteran when describing Minnesota Wild‘s 2003 2nd round pick (#56 overall) Patrick O’Sullivan(16), but the 2011/2012 season will be his 7th year as a pro.
Last season he came full circle ending up with Houston Aeros in the AHL Calder Cup Finals but made stops along the way in Los Angeles, Manchester, Edmonton and Carolina, where he played in 311 NHL games (56 goals, 101 assists).
Minnesota decided not to re-up with him, so Phoenix stepped in offering a one-year, two-way contract. He will likely see time in Portland, which will return him to AHL play in New England for the first time since 2007.
