Tagged: Columbus Blue Jackets

09Sep

Gustaf Wesslau(40) Djurgardens IF / Springfield Falcons

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The single season North American pro hockey experiment is over for Swedish netminder Gustaf Wesslau as he returns to Elitserien (Swedish Elite League) to play for Djurgardens IF in 2011/2012.

He was signed to a one-year, two-way contract by Columbus Blue Jackets in the summer of 2010 but failed to impress enough at the AHL level with Springfield Falcons to earn himself a call-up.

He packed his bags quickly at the end of the season and agreed to a new deal with the team he’d spent from 2008-2010 with.

08Sep

Dane Byers(34) Columbus Blue Jackets

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Dane Byers(34) had a busy AHL season last year getting traded from New York Rangers (Hartford Wolf Pack) to Columbus Blue Jackets (Springfield Falcons) early in the season and then Phoenix Coyotes (San Antonio) at the trade deadline.

Not being signed by Phoenix at the start of unrestricted free agency, Columbus came right back to the table and offered him a one-year, two-way contract for 2011/2012.

In 5 years, he’s played 6 NHL games scoring 1 goal but we expect to see him in Springfield to help them into the Calder Cup for the first time in forever.

 

05Sep

Andrew Joudrey (23)

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andrew-joudrey2

For the first time in his career, 5th year Washington Capitals‘ 2003 8th round draft pick (#249 overall) and former Hershey Bears‘ captain, centerman Andrey Joudrey(23) signed a two-year, two-way contract with Columbus Blue Jackets that will likely see him spend most of his playing time in the AHL with Springfield Falcons.

He had yet to earn any playing time in the NHL.

His stats have never been all that great but he is seen as a team leader on ice and in the locker room. He won Calder Cups in 2009 and 2010 with the Bears.

02Sep

David Ling(21) HC Val Pusteria / Providence Bruins

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Veteran forward David Ling(21) enters his 17th year pro signing a contract to play with HC Val Pusteria (Wolves) of the Italian Hockey League.

He was originally drafted in 1993 by Quebec Nordiques in the 7th round (#179 overall) and has skated in 93 NHL games. For the last 5 or so seasons he’s played mostly overseas stopping back to skate in the AHL with Toronto Marlies ’07/’08 and last year with Providence Bruins.

At 36 years old, it seems like the little guy (a generous 5’10” 197lb) just won’t quit.

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.

 

21Aug

Kyle Ostrow(19) Columbus Blue Jackets / Chicago Express / Portland Pirates

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Undrafted rookie, college standout at University Of Denver, Kyle Ostrow(19) signed a deal with Columbus that will start him in the ECHL with Chicago Express. But first he’ll see some preseason action with their AHL affiliate Springfield Falcons.

It’s just over a month away from the annual P-Bruins‘ preseason tilt, 9/30 at the New England Sports Center and the Falcons just happen to be their opponent this year.

He played 5 games with Portland Pirates at the end of regular season and didn’t look out of place but registered no points. He played no games with them in the Calder Cup Playoffs.

 

13Aug

David LeNeveu(31) Oklahoma City Barons / Springfield Falcons

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Hard to believe that goaltender David LeNeveu(31) will be entering his 9th pro season after being drafted in 2002 by the Phoenix Coyotes in the 2nd round (#46 overall).

For 2011/2012, he has signed an AHL contract to join Oklahoma City Barons, where he’ll compete for the top spot in net.

The head scratcher is that he’s only ever had one really decent year in between the pipes since his college hockey days, when he was impressive enough to leave school early and turn pro. Maybe in hindsight that wasn’t such a good decision.

 

10Aug

Mike Blunden(12) Montreal Canadiens

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mike-blunden

6th year pro (drafted in 2005, round 2 #43 overall by Chicago), right wing Mike Blunden(12) joins Montreal Canadiens‘ system for 2011/2012. He was traded in early July by Columbus for Ryan Russell, whose twin brother Kris Russell already plays for the Blue Jackets.

Blunden(12) has played 51 games in the NHL, registering only 4 points (2 goals, 2 assists). He likely be a contributor for the team’s AHL affiliate in Hamilton.

10/23: Blunden gets his 1st call-up by Montreal.