Columbia Inferno | CollegeHockeyPlayers

11Dec

Patrick Wellar(33) Hershey Bears

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9th year veteran defenseman has skated in his last five seasons with Hershey Bears or their ECHL affiliate.

He was originally a Washington Capitals‘ 3rd round pick in the 2002 draft (#77 overall) but didn’t start playing within their organization until 2009. He has yet to sign an NHL contract with any team.

The 29-year old d-man won the Kelly Cup with South Carolina Stingrays in 2009 and Calder Cup in 2010 with Hershey as he split time during both seasons playing games for each team.

He’s a big presence out on the ice at 6’3″ 231 lbs. but could utilize all his size a bit more effectively knocking down opposing players that dare to stand around in front of his net putting condiments on their sandwich as they wait for scoring chances.

For the first time in a couple of seasons he was sent down to skate 18 games with new affiliate Reading Royals before recently getting called back up.

It would be little surprise to see him get his name on the Kelly Cup a second time, as the Royals have the kind of team that could very well go the distance.

He’s played a career 282 AHL regular and postseason contests and 360 in the ECHL.

23Oct

Julien Brouillette (29)

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Undrafted 5th year defenseman Julien Brouillette(29) started his pro career in the ECHL but has played the last two seasons exclusively with AHL teams.

He had career highs for games played, goals, assists, points and penalty minutes (74-7-14-21-24) last season in the league with Hershey Bears, who he was signed with for the season.

The small-ish 5’11” 185 lbs. blue liner re-upped with the club for 2012/2013 but was a healthy scratch for the first contest and reassigned to their new ECHL affiliate Reading Royals midweek for a game to get in some playing time.

He was inserted into the lineup for their second road contest and scored his first of the new campaign but sat for the home opener the next night.

The soon-to-be 26-year old will likely always be the type of player that needs to earn his spot.

06Jun

Greg Amadio(5) Springfield Falcons

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Undrafted 9th year defenseman Greg Amadio(5) signed a two-year AHL only deal with Grand Rapid Griffins last season before being traded half way through the year to Springfield Falcons, where he finished up 2011/2012 with.

He’s never been the biggest point scorer from the blue line but the 6’2″ 225 lbs. is built like the trunk of a redwood and will go to bat for a teammate any time he’s needed.

The 31-year old has skated in 479 regular and postseason AHL games and won back-to-back Calder Cups with Hershey Bears.

Where his services will be employed in the 2012/2013 season is still up in the air, unless the Falcons have to honor the contract he signed. It might do the team well to invite the veteran d-man back for a full year of patrolling their zone.

17Feb

Bryan Rodney(33) Oklahoma City Barons

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Undrafted 7th year defenseman Bryan Rodney(33) is one of those stories of endurance and sticktoitiveness that defines a pro.

His first couple of seasons were predominantly spent in the ECHL. By his third year he made the jump up to an AHL regular after a call-up with Albany River Rats.

With his impressive play on the blue line that season, Carolina Hurricanes stepped in an signed him to a one-year, two-way contract. He would sign two more similar contracts with them and skate his only 33 NHL games with Carolina (1 goal, 12 assists).

For the 2011/2012 he was once again a free agent but this time in need of a new home. Anaheim Ducks wasted no time signing him to a one-year, two-way deal that has him skating with their AHL affiliate, Syracuse Crunch. He has 5 goals and 15 assists.

Then, almost without warning, the Ducks have dished him to Edmonton Oilers, where he’ll report to their affiliate Oklahoma City Barons.

He’s definitely become a team leader on the ice but the big knock with his game is his tendency to be a minus player. Despite that, it would be little surprise to see the Oilers give him a look to see if they can’t ignite that scoring touch.

25Sep

Jeff Jakaitis(31) Rochester Americans

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Undrafted goalie Jeff Jakaitis(31) enters his 5th pro season with his first AHL contract for the 2011/2012 season courtesy of Rochester Americans.

He played most of last year with Dayton Gems of the Central Hockey League but was called up by Worcester Sharks and then Portland Pirates where he dressed for 9 games (5 wins, 3 losses).

After participating in Buffalo Sabres training camp and recently reassigned, he’ll join the Amerks for the start of their camp this week.

Tough to say where he’ll fit in with Drew McIntyre and David Leggio signed to two-way NHL deals with the parent club.