Hartford Wolf Pack | CollegeHockeyPlayers

20Oct

Marvin Degon(3) Reading Royals

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6th year pro defenseman and Worcester, MA native Marvin Degon(3) looked like he might stick on the Providence Bruins‘ roster after a strong training camp with the team.

He spent the last few seasons playing overseas mostly in Germany and Austria for a short time, but decided to return to North America for the 2011/2012 season. In his first two seasons he was the leading scorer on defense for both Hartford Wolf Pack, then Hamilton Bulldogs, where he was actually signed with the Canadiens.

After playing just two games for the P-Bruins and then being waived, he signed with their ECHL affiliate Reading Royals, where he should be nothing short of outstanding and likely will be back up in the AHL soon.

15Oct

Tyler Donati(14) Chicago Express

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Right wing, Tyler Donati(14) has spent most of his 5 years pro playing career in the ECHL with Elmira. He’s been called-up to the AHL for a total of 66 games (6 goals, 13 assists) but has mostly underproduced at the higher level of hockey.

Chicago Express signed him for the new season. I would expect him to earn a call-up or two, especially if he can return to the AA hockey form that won him league MVP in 2009/2010 with 38 goals and 76 assists for 114 points in 67 contests.

Undrafted, he’s still young at 24 years old but the knock on him seems to be his small-ish size (5’10” 193 lbs.) and lack of physical play.

14Oct

Chad Johnson(29) Connecticut Whale

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3rd year goaltender Chad Johnson(29) posted a 41 save shutout in his first game of the ’11/’12 season with Connecticut Whale in the opening weekend of action.

Originally drafted by Pittsburgh Penguins in the 5th round of the 2006 draft (#125 overall) and traded before he ever skated a game with the team. He has only tended net for New York Rangers and their AHL affiliate in his pro career.

He’s appeared in 6 NHL contests over the past couple of seasons and is obviously vying for an early season call-up.

12Oct

Kris Newbury(11) Connecticut Whale

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9th year pro, the tough-as-nails center, Kris Newbury(11) is in the second year of his contract extension he signed with New York Rangers in 2010 and started of the new season with their AHL affiliate Connecticut Whale with his second career hat trick.

He’s played games in the NHL in each of the last five seasons (59 games, 4 goals and 4 assists). While those totals aren’t anything to keep him up in the show, he’s still an effective agitator.

Maybe not the biggest guy on the ice (5’10” 205 lbs.), he’s one guy that it’s never any fun to tangle with.

Kris Newbury was recalled by New York Rangers 10/16.

24Sep

Dylan Reese(2) New York Islanders

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5th year defenseman Dylan Reese(2) looks to become a full-time NHL player after splitting time with New York Islanders and their AHL affiliate Bridgeport Sound Tigers the last couple seasons.

He scored the Isles first two goals in their preseason game against the Bruins on 9/23 (a 6-3 loss) and looked good offensively but less stable in the defensive zone.

It’s almost certain that he’ll be making a few car trips between Long Island and Connecticut again in 2011/2012.

Originally drafted by New York Rangers in the 7th round of the 2003 draft (#209 overall), he only skated 10 games with Hartford Wolf Pack at the end of his college career with Harvard Crimson but never signed with the team.

15Sep

Chad Wiseman(19) New Jersey / Albany Devils

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Originally a San Jose Sharks‘ 8th round draft pick in 2000 (#246 overall), wing Chad Wiseman(19) enters his 11th pro season and third with New Jersey Devils‘ organization (2nd go round). He played 23 games in 2008/2009 with Lowell Devils.

Signing another one-year, two-way deal, this will his 2nd season with Albany. Last year he had 44 points (16 goals and 28 assists) in 48 games.

He’s played 9 games in the NHL (4 with the Sharks and 5 with New York Rangers) scoring 1 goal to go along with 1 assist.

If the Devils suck again this season, I could see him getting in a few games at the Pru.

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

Justin Soryal(47) Carolina Hurricanes / Connecticut Whale

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After three years in the New York Rangers organization, fearless tough guy Justin Soryal(47) was snapped up on the second day of free agency by Carolina Hurricanes and signed to a one-year, two-way deal that will most likely have him see most of the 2011/2012 season wearing a Charlotte Checkers‘ sweater.

He has yet to play in his first NHL game but the undrafted forward could see some of his first action this season. He’s definitely first and foremost there to protect other players but it wouldn’t hurt him to put a couple more pucks in the net either. He’s got good size (6’2″ 215 pounds) to stand in front and screen the goalie.

01Sep

Bobby Sanguinetti(6) Carolina Hurricanes

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4th year defenseman Bobby Sanguinetti(6) knows its time to step up in his 2nd season with Carolina Hurricanes‘ organization.

He was New York Rangers‘ 2006 1st round selection (#21 overall) but unceremoniously dished to the Hurricanes for a couple of draft picks in 2010.

He missed most of last season with an injury but came back early, which impressed them enough to re-sign him. He has plenty to prove considering all the hype surrounding him coming out of juniors.

26Aug

Derek Couture(21) Ontario Reign / Connecticut Whale / Victoria Salmon Kings

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7th year veteran Derek Couture(21) recently signed a contract to play with the Ontario Reign of the ECHL for the upcoming season.

Throughout his pro career he’s spent most of his playing time in the AHL. But like last season with Victoria Salmon Kings he inked a deal to start the year in the ECHL until he was called-up to Connecticut Whale half way through the season. It was his 2nd straight campaign in Hartford, except in 2009/2010 he had an AHL contract.

He’ll probably experience the same scenario but I wouldn’t be surprised if the team that comes knocking with a pto will be Manchester Monarchs, the Reign‘s affiliate.