Dallas Stars | CollegeHockeyPlayers

08Aug

Drew Schiestel (44)

Posted in AHL, NHL | Leave a comment

Buffalo Sabres said “I do” for a one-year, two-way contract with their 2nd round pick in the 2007 draft (#57 overall) defenseman Drew Schiestel(44) despite there being a can of worms still on the table throughout his first three seasons in the system.

In a low total of 156 AHL games with their Portland Pirates and Rochester Americans‘ affiliates, plus a weird 16 games with Texas Stars late last season in a shuffle him out of the conference Sabres‘ reassignment.

He was good for 8 goals and 39 assists in that stretch.

Not terrible, although there should be more upside.

And there is: he’s an effective +17 plus/minus over his first three years since turning pro playing in the minors. 2011/2012 was his first season in the minus column on the ice.

He did get hampered by a season ending knee injury a couple of years ago but he was also a healthy scratch from the Amerks at times last year.

Step up.

24Jul

Garrett Stafford(55) Washington Capitals

Posted in AHL, NHL | Leave a comment

Going into his 10th pro season, defenseman Garrett Stafford(55) signs a one-year, two-way deal with Washington Capitals that will almost definitely have him becoming captain or assistant for their AHL affiliate Hershey Bears.

The 32-year old has only ever appeared in 7 NHL games: a pair with the Red Wings, a pair with the Stars and 3 with the Coyotes.

On the AHL side of the coin though, he’s appeared in 653 regular and postseason games with 7 different teams and made it to the Finals once in 2010 with Texas Stars.

He had some really good years in minor hockey points-wise but now is looked upon for his leadership qualities to help guide the younger players in the system. The 6’1″ 207 lbs. blue liner was team captain for Hamilton Bulldogs last season.

No doubt after his playing days are done, he’ll be a great assistant coach to start.

He was originally undrafted and on the personal side of life, recently became a first time dad to a potential future hockey playing son.

18Jul

Sean Backman(16) New York Islanders

Posted in AHL, ECHL, NHL | Leave a comment

New York Islanders‘ qualified and re-signed undrafted, 3rd year right wing Sean Backman(16) for another one-year, two-way deal.

The 5’8″ 165 lbs. forward skated in 66 AHL games last season with Bridgeport Sound Tigers putting up 7 goals and 11 assists, but was a rather terrible -11 on what was a fairly strong team.

He put up better numbers in his rookie campaign with Texas Stars, who were also a good team with a winning record.

The 26-year old was born only 30 minutes up the road in Connecticut and went to college about equal distance away from his current arena. Definitely must be nice to play his pro hockey so close to home and where he went to school but we’re sure the ultimate goal would be to be skating a little further south.

He has definitely shown the ability to find his way onto the scoresheet and digs for every second he’s on the ice.

28Jun

Marco Rosa (19)

Posted in AHL, ECHL, NHL | Leave a comment

Entering his 10th pro season, center Marco Rosa(19) skips the country to play with Espoo Blues of the SM-liiga for the 2012/2013 season.

Hampered by post-concussion symptoms, he was limited to just 31 games during the regular season but did manage to produce close to a point per game with 6 goals and 21 assists.

He was on par to beat his career high point totals from 2 years ago until he got sidelined.

Although he did return for 9 postseason contests, he wasn’t nearly the same player, getting only one assist.

Originally a Dallas Stars‘ 8th round pick in the 2001 draft (#255 overall), the 6’ 180 lbs. forward worked his way up through the ranks first with a few years in the ECHL and for the last 5 seasons he’s been an AHL mainstay.

At 30 years old, no doubt he’s making the right decision to possible play his final years in Europe.

05Jun

Brandon Segal(26) Norfolk Admirals

Posted in AHL, NHL | Leave a comment

9th year Norfolk Admirals‘ veteran right wing Brandon Segal(26) is the perfect old school presence the team needs on the ice and in the locker room to help stabilize the mostly young group of players as they continue their push for a first Calder Cup Championship in 12 AHL seasons.

He was obtained in a minor league deal back in February for his second stint with the organization. He skated in 91 games with them just a couple of year ago from 2008 – 2009.

The soon to be 29-year old has played in 454 regular and postseason games including a trip to the finals with the other Admirals, Milwaukee in 2006.

He has appeared in 102 NHL games (11 goals, 11 assists) with 4 different teams including making his first appearance and most recent with the same team, Tampa Bay Lightning. In 12 games with the Bolts he’s yet to tally on the scoresheet.

Originally a 4th round pick by Nashville Predators in the 2002 draft (#102 overall), it’s unclear at the moment what will be next for the as of July 1 soon to be unrestricted free agent.

30May

Jason Williams(18) Ambrì- Piotta

Posted in AHL, NHL | Leave a comment

Entering his 13th season, center Jason Williams(18) says goodbye to North American pro hockey and is looking at the next 2 years with Ambri-Piotta of Switzerland National League A.

He leaves having skated in 455 NHL regular season and 27 postseason games scoring 95 goals and 135 assists, most recently with Pittsburgh Penguins, who he signed a one-year, two-way deal with for 2011/2012.

The 5’11” 185 lbs. forward had one of his best seasons in the AHL with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins scoring 13 goals and 29 assists in 59 games and added another 3 goals and 10 assists in 12 games.

The 32-year old when the 2012/2013 season starts has skated in Europe once before. During the lock out, he played the season in Finland.

Chances are he’ll do well playing this style and they are already very excited to have him join their team.

16Feb

Jeff Woywitka(2) New York Rangers

Posted in AHL, NHL | Leave a comment

9th year New York Rangers‘ defenseman Jeff Woywitka(2) has been in and out of the lineup and injured this season, seeing action in 26 games. He’s on the scoring sheet with a goal and 5 assists and a modest +2 plus/minus.

He was plucked off waivers from Montreal Canadiens early in the season and signed to fill the role as an alternate defenseman.

To start February, he was sent down to get some playing time in the AHL with Connecticut Whale on a conditioning stint. He appeared in 6 games and had three assists to help the team get back into the win column after going on a terrible losing skid.

Now that he has been recalled it will be interesting to see if he’ll be able to find his way back into a lineup that has settled very nicely for the Eastern Conference leaders.

He was originally a Philadelphia Flyers 1st round pick in the 2001 draft (#27 overall). He has played 277 NHL games, recording 9 goals and 55 assists.

28Jan

Aaron Gagnon (25)

Posted in AHL, ECHL, NHL | Leave a comment

Originally a Phoenix Coyotes‘ 8th round pick in the 2004 draft (#240 overall), center Aaron Gagnon(25) got his first crack at the big league a couple of seasons ago, while under contract with Dallas Stars.

In 21 games over two seasons, he registered 0 goals and a pair of assists.

He mostly skated with their AHL affiliate Texas Stars and has played over 250 career games, picking up 57 goals and 78 assists with 4 different teams.

Winnipeg Jets signed him to a one-year, two-way contract just after free agency began.

In 33 games this season with St. John’s IceCaps he has 8 goals and 12 assists but as a 5th year pro plays with a sense of purpose and accountability out there.

He was recently call-up for his first taste of NHL this year but was quickly returned as the team went into a low period off for the All-Star break.

In the game, which all his IceCaps‘ teammates attended he skated 12 shifts for 8:38 of ice time and went a -1 plus/minus.

11Dec

Jason Williams(18) Pittsburgh Penguins

Posted in AHL, NHL | Leave a comment

Since 2000, undrafted center Jason Williams(18) has played games in the NHL and he played his first of the 2011/2012 season with Pittsburgh Penguins in their win over New York Islanders. He skated for 11:28 minutes, took a tripping penalty and had a shot on net.

In 448 NHL games he has 93 goals and 132 assists with Detroit (7 seasons, including a Stanley Cup with them in 2002), Chicago, Atlanta, Columbus, Dallas and now with the Pens.

He has far less career games in the AHL numbering 210 at last check (77 goals, 113 assists = a point per game) and this season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins has 3 goals and 14 assists in 20 games.

30Oct

Sean Avery(16) Connecticut Whale

Posted in AHL, NHL | Leave a comment

13 year veteran Sean Avery(16) was waived by New York Rangers and reassigned to their AHL affiliate Connecticut Whale, where he suited up for just his second game on Saturday night vs. Worcester Sharks. It’s his second stint with the Whale/Hartford Wolf Pack. He played there briefly in 2008 under the assumption the Rangers would sign him after Dallas parted ways.

He is the final year of his 4-year contract that is split between the two teams at $4. million per season.

In his first game he scored the empty-netter insurance goal and last night he got the game-winner in the sixth round of the shootout to give his team the 3-2 victory. All well and good and although it might be unlikely that he’ll get called up, he could potentially sign on with another team that has some salary cap room to play the agitator role that he’s one of the league’s best in the business at providing.