Harvard Crimson | CollegeHockeyPlayers

17Feb

Alex Biega(55) Vancouver Canucks

Posted in AHL, NHL | Leave a comment

Vancouver Canucks‘ 5th year defenseman Alex Biega(55) earned his recall and spent a couple of weeks with the parent club but only practiced with the team.

As a small-ish 5’10” 187 lbs. blue liner he is mostly a stay-at-home style blue liner but has been consistently able to hit the 20-point mark through his four seasons in the AHL and could very well set new career high marks int the current campaign with Utica Comets.

With continued consistent play with the farm club, he received another shot and on little notice found himself suiting up for his first big league game.

The 26-year old skated 22 shifts for 16:32 total ice time with 2 hits, 2 break ups, 1 giveaway and 2 shots on net.

One of those shots ended up being his first NHL goal and the 3-2 game winner.

He’s only signed to a one-year, two-way deal and now is looking more likely to get re-upped.

See related: 8/4-12

15May

Dylan Reese(2) WBS Penguins

Posted in AHL, NHL | Leave a comment

6th year defenseman Dylan Reese(2) had a homecoming with his offseason signing on the first day of free agency, when he was picked up by team he watched growing up, Pittsburgh Penguins.

Signed to a one-year two-way deal, he had to wait for the NHL lockout to thaw until he got his chance to play in front of the hometown crowd, suiting up for 3 games with the parent club but registering no points.

He has been on reassignment with their minor league affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins since the start of the 2012/2013 season and a career high 8 goals.

The 6’1″ 205 lbs. d-man is currently skating in the Calder Cup playoffs for as long as that lasts and if they are exited will likely be brought up as one of the “black aces” practice squad.

It seems like an easy fit to bring the 28-year old back into the fold for another season but he could also have other suitors out there wanting to bring him up to the show on a more regular basis.

He’s played 77 NHL games with 3 goals and 14 assists to his credit. He was originally a New York Rangers‘ 7th round pick in the 2003 draft (#209 overall) but only played as part of their system with Hartford Wolf Pack for four games when his college career at Harvard University was finished.

He signed his first contract with San Antonio Rampage and spent his first two pro seasons with the team. He’s appeared in 326 AHL games scoring 21 goals with 100 assists to his credit.

07Apr

Ryan Grimshaw(32) South Carolina Stingrays

Posted in AHL, ECHL | Leave a comment

Undrafted, rookie defenseman Ryan Grimshaw(32) signed a deal to join Trenton Titans to start the first full season of his pro career.

He inked an ato with them after his college playing career playing three games with the team.

The 6′ 195 lbs. hard-nosed blue liner attended Toronto Marlies‘ training camp on an invite but was reassigned to the ECHL at the start of the season.

In 23 games he registed 3 goals and 3 assists before being recalled to the AHL at the beginning of the new calendar year.

On a pto with the Marlies, he proved he deserved a place on the roster in 16 games of gritty play and was upped to an spc to finish out the 2012/2013 season.

While up in the higher league, his rights were traded to South Carolina Stingrays to complete an earlier season swap.

He was recently reassigned to help them in their bid for the Kelly Cup.

The 23-year former Harvard Crimson captain will likely be back soon as it appears the quest for ECHL excellence will end in the first round.

04Apr

Alexander Fällström(15) Providence Bruins

Posted in AHL, NHL | Leave a comment

Originally a Minnesota Wild 4th round pick in the 2009 draft (#116 overall), Swedish right wing Alexander Fallstrom(15) was involved in a trade that brought his rights to Boston Bruins before he would start his college career at Harvard University, right down the road from the team’s home arena, TD Garden.

The 21-year signed a 2-year entry level deal through 2015 and starts his pro career on an ato with minor league affiliate Providence Bruins.

He notched his first pro point, an assist, in his debut and scored his first goal 5 games later.

At 6’2″ 203 lbs. he already has the physical attributes of a power forward, very much plays that style of game and has soft enough hands to connect with the back of the net consistently.

He may start his rookie season in the AHL but looks like he will become an NHL top six forward in short order.

04Aug

Alex Biega(4) Buffalo Sabres

Posted in AHL, NHL | 1 Comment

Buffalo Sabres‘ 3rd year, 24-year old defenseman, Alex Biega(4) signed a one-year, two-way contract keeping him in their system for another season. He had restricted free agent status and was qualified an offer by the team but seemingly took a little bit to put his name above the line.

In his first two seasons, he put up admirable numbers with AHL career highs in goals, assists and points (5 – 18 -23) for 2011/2012. He’s also played on a pair of affiliates (Portland Pirates / Rochester Americans) that made it to the postseason; and is more than accountable in his zone with a combined +18 plus/minus.

He plays hard and definitely shows some skills but listed at 5’10” 191 lbs. it seems like they’re stretching it a bit. Maybe it’s just time for him to start living at the gym. He could be doing that as he heads into another season having set career highs in the previous one.

26Nov

Dov Grumet-Morris(1) San Antonio Rampage

Posted in AHL, ECHL, NHL | Leave a comment

It’s a bit of a wonder that 7th year pro goaltender Dov Grumet-Morris(1) didn’t sign with at least an AHL team in the offseason after posting solid numbers for Connecticut Whale in 22 games last season (13 wins against 5 losses, 2.12 GAA and .923 SV%).

But seemingly no one bit, until recently when the first team he tended net for in the league along his journeyman career would come calling once again.

San Antonio Rampage signed him to a standard player contract, a scenario he’s a bit unfamiliar with in his time spent with 10 different teams in North American hockey. Only his two seasons overseas had him on one team for the duration, but otherwise it’s been mostly pto’s for the former star goalie at Harvard University.

The Whale did eventually sign him to a contract last year but he was third wheel as soon as their starters were healthy. The Rampage are in a similar pickle.

He posted a 5-0 shutout in his first game. It’s a wonder that he has yet to appear in the NHL.