Charlotte Checkers | CollegeHockeyPlayers

11Sep

Zack Fitzgerald (14)

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Hamilton Bulldogs inked grizzly 7th year veteran defenseman Zack Fitzgerald(14) to an AHL contract for 2011/2012.

He led the league in penalty minutes with 311 in ’09/’10.

He’ll no doubt be called upon to protect some of the younger prospects in the Canadiens‘ system.

In the 2007/2008 season he did get a 1 game wink in an NHL game when he was signed by the Canucks for a couple of seasons.

The last two years he’s been signed with Carolina Hurricanes.

Fitzgerald was a 3rd round pick in 2003 (#88 overall) by St. Louis and played for two years with their minor league affiliates in Peoria and Alaska.

05Sep

Justin Soryal(47) Carolina Hurricanes / Connecticut Whale

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After three years in the New York Rangers organization, fearless tough guy Justin Soryal(47) was snapped up on the second day of free agency by Carolina Hurricanes and signed to a one-year, two-way deal that will most likely have him see most of the 2011/2012 season wearing a Charlotte Checkers‘ sweater.

He has yet to play in his first NHL game but the undrafted forward could see some of his first action this season. He’s definitely first and foremost there to protect other players but it wouldn’t hurt him to put a couple more pucks in the net either. He’s got good size (6’2″ 215 pounds) to stand in front and screen the goalie.

01Sep

Bobby Sanguinetti(6) Carolina Hurricanes

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4th year defenseman Bobby Sanguinetti(6) knows its time to step up in his 2nd season with Carolina Hurricanes‘ organization.

He was New York Rangers‘ 2006 1st round selection (#21 overall) but unceremoniously dished to the Hurricanes for a couple of draft picks in 2010.

He missed most of last season with an injury but came back early, which impressed them enough to re-sign him. He has plenty to prove considering all the hype surrounding him coming out of juniors.

26Aug

Derek Couture(21) Ontario Reign / Connecticut Whale / Victoria Salmon Kings

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7th year veteran Derek Couture(21) recently signed a contract to play with the Ontario Reign of the ECHL for the upcoming season.

Throughout his pro career he’s spent most of his playing time in the AHL. But like last season with Victoria Salmon Kings he inked a deal to start the year in the ECHL until he was called-up to Connecticut Whale half way through the season. It was his 2nd straight campaign in Hartford, except in 2009/2010 he had an AHL contract.

He’ll probably experience the same scenario but I wouldn’t be surprised if the team that comes knocking with a pto will be Manchester Monarchs, the Reign‘s affiliate.

25Aug

Casey Borer(28) HC Pardubice

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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.

21Aug

Trevor Frischmon(19) New York Islanders / Springfield Falcons

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6th year vet, undrafted winger Trevor Frischmon(19) has never experienced pro hockey outside of Columbus Blue Jackets system. He’s played the last five seasons almost exclusively with their AHL affiliates, first in Syracuse and last season in Springfield.

Right after free agency began, the Islanders stepped in to sign the unrestricted free agent to a one-year, two-way contract for 2011/2012.

His point total has continued to rise each season and in ’09/’10 he got in the first NHL games of his career (3 games, 0 points). He’s almost assuredly was signed to help Bridgeport Sound Tigers attempts to reclaim a playoff spot.

11Oct

Ryan Constant(9) Stockton Thunder

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Ryan Constant(9) was in Worcester Sharks training camp and wore the “A” for their preseason game vs. Providence Bruins on September 29 at New England Sports Center. He was assigned to Stockton Thunder in early October. Little factoid: this was his second season playing an AHL preseason game in the rink, as last year he was signed in Springfield Falcons‘ system.

9/18-12: After one season away in Italy with Milano Rossoblu, the undrafted 27-year old returns for his fourth campaign with the Thunder.