Colorado Avalanche | CollegeHockeyPlayers

11Jul

Geoff Walker(17) Colorado Avalanche

Posted in AHL, ECHL, NHL | Leave a comment

Undrafted, 5th year right wing Geoff Walker(17) had himself a career year with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins last season putting up career highs in goals, assists, points, penalty minutes and shots of goal (18 + 26 = 44, 114, 176).

It was his second campaign with the club that signed him to consecutive one-year AHL contracts after the 24-year old posted good numbers with Manchester Monarchs after being call-up from Ontario Reign the year before.

At 6’3″ 225 lbs. more than just being an imposing on-ice presence, his style of game is an unrelenting, digging attack that he puts on display every game.

For 2012/2013, he signed his first NHL contract (one-year, two-way) with Colorado Avalanche and could see an opportunity to get called up to the show.

We expect him to have a good training camp to make that decision to reassign him to their affiliate, Lake Erie Monsters a tough one.

30Jun

Mike Carman(26) Washington Capitals

Posted in AHL | Leave a comment

3rd year center Mike Carman(26) re-signs with Washington Capitals for another year, two-way contract after they obtained him in a late season trade from Colorado. He was originally a 3rd round pick of the Avalanche in the 2006 draft (#81 overall), but due to become a restricted free agent this year after his two-year entry level deal was up.

In 32 games with Hershey Bears he scored 5 goals and 7 assists and finished the season, split with Lake Erie Monsters with 18 points in 60 total AHL contests.

The 24-year old 6′ 185 lbs. forward definitely seemed to be pretty enrolled in the game we saw him play . Skating a full season in Chocolatetown, he should be able to put up points.

18Jun

Brian Willsie(24) Hamilton Bulldogs

Posted in AHL, NHL | Leave a comment

14-year veteran right wing, Hamilton Bulldogs‘ assistant captain Brian Willsie(24) maybe didn’t have the most productive point totals of his career, but his 18 goals and 26 assists were first in team scoring for 2011/2012.

As of July 1 he becomes an unrestricted free agent and could potentially sign with his fourth different team in the last 4 seasons.

With 381 games of NHL experience (52 goals, 57 assists and 5 full years with teams), no doubt the leadership quality he brings to any team he plays for is worth the price of his contract.

He played in his last big league contest as recently as two seasons ago with Washington Capitals (a team he’s skated 132 of his career league games with) and even got an assist in the one game he appeared in.

He was originally a Colorado Avalanche 6th round pick in the 1996 draft (#146 overall).

It’s a bit of a wonder why the Canadiens didn’t call him up, when they brought a few of the younger guys in the system up and down on a number of occasions.

What’s next for the 34-year old? We wait.

03Jun

David Aebischer(1) Rapperswil-Jona Lakers

Posted in AHL, ECHL, NHL | Leave a comment

Once again it’s time for soon to be 14 year veteran goalie David Aebischer(1) to go home to Switzerland, joining a new team in the NLA, Rapperswil-Jona Lakers.

While he didn’t earn a contract with Winnipeg Jets, the team he came back to North America on a tryout agreement to hopefully sign with, the 34-year old was offered an AHL deal, took it and did pretty well with their minor league affiliate St. John’s IceCaps running a 15-12 record with a 2.86 GAA and an .895 GAA and helping the team to the Calder Cup Eastern Conference Finals in their debut season.

Got to say it was still pretty cool seeing the former Colorado Avalanche 6th round pick in the 1997 draft (#161 overall) play when the IceCaps were in town and he got the start in net. He has played in 214 NHL games with a 106 wins to 74 loss record.

02May

Mike Vernace(48) Connecticut Whale

Posted in AHL, NHL | Leave a comment

6th year defenseman Mike Vernace(48) has been on quite the ride through the AHL this season as he was traded twice and is currently playing for his third team in the 2011/2012 season.

Ironically all three teams he skated for are still in the postseason.

He started the year with Norfolk Admirals, the team he’d been with for the entirety of 2010/2011 and even got into 10 games with the parent club Tampa Bay Lightning.

From there he was dished to Florida Panthers but skated only with San Antonio Rampage.

That relationship lasted only 22 games before he was once again passed along to New York Rangers in a trade deadline deal and reassigned to Connecticut Whale, where he’ll play his former team, the Admirals in the AHL Eastern Conference Semi-Finals in a best-of-seven series.

Originally a San Jose Sharks‘ 7th round pick in the 2004 draft (#201 overall), the 6’ 216 lbs. blue liner has only appeared in 22 NHL games throughout his playing career.

It’s a bit doubtful that he’ll crack New York Rangers‘ lineup next fall or if they’ll even sign him up for another year, as he’ll be a UFA at the conclusion of the playoff run.

We still think he’s got plenty of pop to crack a big league lineup.

26Mar

Ben Guite(28) Worcester Sharks

Posted in AHL, ECHL, NHL | Leave a comment

12th year veteran center, Worcester Sharks‘ Ben Guite(28) has missed a majority of 2011/2012 due to complications from a concussion he sustained early in the AHL season.

He recently returned to the team and is contributing in their push toward the Calder Cup Playoffs.

In 15 games this year he has 2 goals and 7 assists but despite not being a prolific goal scorer, he’s look to for his leadership and playing intensity on the ice.

He’s appeared in 175 NHL games (all but seven of them with Colorado Avalanche from 2006 – 2009) scoring 19 goals and 26 assists.

In 574 AHL games he has 101 goals and 172 assists.

He was originally picked by Montreal Canadiens in the 7th round of 1997 draft (#172 overall). The 33-year old signed a one-year, two-way deal with San Jose Sharks in the offseason.

19Mar

Matt Ford(25) Adirondack Phantoms

Posted in AHL, ECHL, NHL | Leave a comment

4th year right wing, Matt Ford(25) may have been a bit surprised when he was traded in his first season signed to an NHL contract with Washington Capitals. He was mostly playing for their AHL affiliate Hershey Bears putting up a very respectable 10 goals and 18 assists in 39 games.

Dealt before the trade deadline, he has found a formidable home in Philadelphia Flyers‘ organization with Adirondack Phantoms and has lit the lamp fairly big striking for 11 goals and 5 assists in 19 games.

He was originally picked in the 8th round of the 2004 draft (#256 overall) by Chicago Blackhawks but never signed with them and instead started his pro career in the ECHL with Charlotte Checkers before being called up to Hartford Wolf Pack and then Lake Erie Monsters, a team he stayed with for a couple of seasons.

If he continues to work hard and find the back of the net, he could find himself with a spot in the show with the Flyers out of training camp next season.

18Mar

Kyle Cumiskey (7)

Posted in AHL, NHL | Leave a comment

6th year defenseman Kyle Cumiskey(7) was originally a Colorado Avalanche 7th round pick in 2005 (#222 overall) and went on to play 5 years in their system amassing 132 NHL games scoring 9 goals and 26 helpers.

At the beginning of the 2011/2012 season he was traded to Anaheim Ducks for a prospect but has only seen ice time with their AHL affiliate Syracuse Crunch despite a pair of call-ups.

In 2009/2010, he played his first full NHL season but was limited to 18 games the next year due to recurring head injuries. He did put up a goal and 7 assists in that time though.

He’s not huge at 5’10” 185 lbs. but could be paired with a bigger guy for his offensive upside, although he really doesn’t sacrifice anything on defense.

Through 44 games with Syracuse Crunch he’s scored three goals and 20 assists and was an even plus/minus.

02Mar

Mike Connolly(18) Lake Erie Monsters

Posted in AHL, NHL | Leave a comment

Undrafted rookie forward Mike Connolly(18) found himself strung onto a multi-player deal between his former team, San Jose Sharks and his now current club, Colorado Avalanche at the trade deadline.

He will really be shuffled from one affiliate, Worcester Sharks to another, Lake Erie Monsters.

In 40 AHL games this season he’s put up some impressive numbers (10 goals, 20 assists and +4 plus/minus).

He’s another small-sized “power” forward at 5’9″ 180 lbs. that plays a tenacious style game, sees the ice well and gets into those open spaces for good bids on net.

He has yet to appear in an NHL regular season game but that should change.

04Feb

Wojtek Wolski(86) Connecticut Whale

Posted in AHL, NHL | Leave a comment

In six pro seasons, Polish left wing Wojtek Wolski(86) has never played a minor league game; until last week.

Assigned by the parent club, New York Rangers on conditioning loan to their AHL affiliate Connecticut Whale to rehab after being out of action for well over a month with a groin injury he has to get up to speed to crack the solid lineup in Manhattan.

In his debut with the Whale, he ended up scoring what would become the game winning goal for the team.

I hope someone saved him that puck to mark the occasion.

In 402 NHL games, he has 91 goals and 158 assists for 249 points.

He was originally a 1st round pick by Colorado Avalanche in the 2004 draft (#21 overall). He played four seasons with them before being dished to Phoenix Coyotes and from there to the Rangers.

At almost only 26 years of age, the big (6’3″ 200 lbs.) power forward still should have plenty left in the tank but looks to be on his way to a fourth team.