Detroit Red Wings | CollegeHockeyPlayers

03Nov

Sebastien Piche(7) Greenville Road Warriors

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After viewing the first 8 Connecticut Whale 2012/2013 regular season games from the stands, defenseman Sebastien Piche(7) gets reassigned to help their ECHL affiliate Greenville Road Warriors.

Originally undrafted he was signed by Detroit Red Wings to a 3-year entry level deal but spent most of his playing time with either their AHL affiliate Grand Rapid Griffins or in the lower league with Toledo Walleye.

He somewhat luckily went from skating (or not) last season with the Griffins but was traded in a late transaction that sent him to Tampa Bay Lightning, where he was immediately sent all the way down to Florida Everblades for the remainder of the year; and his contract. He was given a qualifying offer at the end of the season.

The 6′ 202 lbs. blue liner played in all 18 Kelly Cup playoff games with the Everblades on their way to winning the Kelly Cup. He scored 2 goals and added 9 assists in postseason play.

He has the ability to connect with the scoresheet and looked pretty solid in the one preseason game we saw him take part in; and also put up numbers in juniors.

Maybe the 24-year is continue to work his game. He signed an AHL contract for 2012/2013 and bets are good he’ll receive a call-up quickly but will need to contribute.

15Oct

Todd McLellan(coach) San Jose Sharks

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San Jose Sharks “5th year” bench boss Todd McLellan is probably going to be taking in a lot more of the team’s AHL affiliate in Worcester‘s games this season than he would have a chance to if this were a normal NHL season.

He was already spotted during their only preseason home game at Holy Cross recently keeping an eye on potential prospects.

In his four years as head coach he has always maintained a winning record, ended regular season as Pacific Division champs 3 times and taken the team to the Western Conference Finals on a pair of occasions.

He won a Stanley Cup with Detroit Red Wings in 2008 as an assistant coach before being hired the next season by San Jose. The 45-year old also won a Calder Cup Championship with Houston Aeros in 2003.

As a player he only skated pro for two years in the late 80’s. He was drafted by New York Islanders and played 5 games (1 goal, 1 assists) but appeared in over 100 games with Springfield Indians of the AHL.

05Oct

Jamie Tardif (9)

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6th year right wing Jamie Tardif(9) got the 2nd campaign of his tw0-way deal with Boston Bruins off to a productive start in AHL preseason.

He scored the first two goals, including the game-winner for Providence en route to a 4-1 win.

The 27-year old has appeared in 376 AHL regular season games posting 93 goals and 91 assists.

Originally a Calgary Flames‘ 4th round pick in the 2003 draft (#112 overall), he never signed with the team despite showing some impressive scoring skills in juniors.

The 6’ 207 lbs. forward started his pro career modestly, signing an ECHL deal with Toledo Storm but managed to skate for 3 different AHL teams in his rookie year on call-up.

From there, one of his suitors, Grand Rapid Griffins saw enough promise to sign him up for his full sophomore season.

Doing well in his first full run in the AHL, Detroit Red Wings offered him a 2-year entry level deal and he stuck with the Griffins for what amounted to 4 + years.

Although he has yet to appear in an NHL game, he possesses the ability to light the lamp and plays a gritty game, so there’s a small window he still has the ability to crawl through.

We’ll see if changing to number 9 from his long-standing 25 will give his game a psychological boost.

The pic is right after he flipped the puck up and in for his goal.

24Jul

Garrett Stafford(55) Washington Capitals

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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.

20Jun

Luke Glendening(33) Grand Rapids Griffins

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Undrafted forward Luke Glendening(27) signed a minor league contract with Detroit Red Wings, meaning he will be playing with their AHL affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins, which just so happens to be where he was born 23-years ago.

He becomes the first player in team history to play for Grand Rapids and have grown up right down the street from where the team plays. No doubt he’ll be getting lots of home-cooked meals during his first pro season.

The 5’10” 185 lbs. wing signed an ato with Providence Bruins to finish up the regular season after completing his college career at University Of Michigan.

He was team captain for his last two seasons there.

He failed to register a point in 3 games played but never looked out of place in the limited ice time.

30May

Jason Williams(18) Ambrì- Piotta

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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.

25May

Derek Meech(7) St. John’s IceCaps

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post #1000

If 8th year veteran defenseman Derek Meech(7) had any luck this season, it most definitely would have been bad.

What was finally reported as a knee problem that sidelined him in late October after only a couple of games with Winnipeg Jets. He finally returned to finish up the season for 6 games with their AHL affiliate St. John’s IceCaps.

He signed a one-year two-way deal with Winnipeg after 7 seasons with Detroit Red Wings and Grand Rapid Griffins. The 5’11” 196 lbs. blue liner was originally picked in the 7th round of the 2002 draft (#229 overall).

The 28-year old has played 126 NHL and 427 AHL regular and postseason games.

In 15 Calder Cup Playoff games, ending a pretty enchanted first season for the IceCaps, he had 4 goals and 5 assists to help them all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals before bowing out to the number team in the regular season, Norfolk Admirals.

We lay bets the Jets will re-sign the Winnipeg native soon for another season.

20Jan

Brett Lebda(21) Columbus Blue Jackets

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30-year old Stanley Cup winning defenseman Brett Lebda(21) signed a one-year deal with Columbus Blue Jackets after starting the season with their AHL affiliate Springfield Falcons.

Without a contract for the 2011/2012 season, he agreed to a pto in November with Springfield in hopes of making back to the NHL.

He makes that happen with an injury to the big club and good play in the minors. In 26 games he got a goal and had 9 assists, while playing at an even plus/minus. No doubt, he’s also helped the younger guys in the system, bringing 8 years of pro experience to the locker room.

As a defenseman who’s played in 367 NHL games and played for 5 years for Detroit Red Wings, he was the natural choice to fill-in.

Rumor has it the Blue Jackets had something to do with him getting signed to his tryout agreement with the Falcons.

He was undrafted and played his first season the year of the NHL lockout, signed by Detroit and playing with their minor league affiliate Grand Rapid Griffins.

17Dec

Drew MacIntyre(31) Rochester Americans

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9th year Rochester Americans‘ goaltender Drew MacIntyre(31) keeps an eye on the play in front of his net.

He was originally picked by Detroit Red Wings in the 4th round of the 2001 draft (#121 overall) and spent the first three years of his pro career with their AHL and ECHL affiliates before getting a short chance in the NHL with Vancouver Canucks, where he made a couple of appearances.

From there he bounced around in the minors signing one-year deals with Nashville Predators, Atlanta Thrashers and Montreal Canadiens before inking another one-year two-way contract with Buffalo Sabres for the 2011/2012 season, ultimately ending up in Rochester.

He has played in 250 AHL games.

11Dec

Jason Williams(18) Pittsburgh Penguins

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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.