HC Lugano | CollegeHockeyPlayers

15Jun

Bill Thomas(29) Medvescak Zagreb

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29-year old, undrafted 8th year right wing, Bill Thomas(29) has decided it’s time to leave North American pro hockey and joins Medvescak Zagreb of the KHL for 2013/2014.

He had been signed to a one-year, two-way contract with Colorado Avalanche for 2012/2013 but failed to receive a call-up in the lockout shortened season. It was the first time since he was on an AHL agreement for ’09/’10 with Springfield Falcons that he didn’t play in an NHL game.

He also left mid-season that year for the NLA in Switzerland but returned for the next campaign signing with Florida Panthers.

The unassuming 6’2″ 194 lbs. forward has played 87 contests in the show scoring 16 goals and 12 assists with three different teams.

He has 388 minor leagues games with 115 goals and 136 assists to his credit.

Seems like the right choice for the veteran player and chances are he will find his scoring touch.

See related: 12/29-10

09Feb

Jordan Hendry(6) Anaheim Ducks

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Anaheim Ducks‘ undrafted 7th year defenseman Jordan Hendry(6) has appeared in NHL games in 5 of his pro years. In 130 contests he has 4 goals and 9 assists, while maintaining a reliable +2 rating. He was also on the Chicago Blackhawks‘ 2010 Stanley Cup Championship team but left unsigned after his fifth season in the system.

As an unrestricted free agent, he agreed to a training camp tryout last year with Minnesota Wild and by all accounts had a good run during preseason. He reported to their AHL affiliate Houston Aeros on a pto but was ultimately released after only 10 games.

He then signed a deal to skate with Lugano of the NLA in Switzerland to finish out the season.

The 28-year returned for 2012/2013 when offered a 1-year 2-way deal with the Ducks.

He was on the NHL opening night roster but reassigned to Norfolk Admirals (his second go round with the team under his only two parent clubs), when he didn’t crack the lineup for a second appearance. In 31 AHL games, he had a pair of goals and assists before he was recently recalled.

The 6′ 194 lbs. blue liner skated 24 shifts and was on the ice for an average of 17 minutes in both wins. He’s easily a 5-6 depth guy on defense but fairly accountable and that won’t hurt his chances to continue making visits to the show.

03Jun

David Aebischer(1) Rapperswil-Jona Lakers

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Once again it’s time for soon to be 14 year veteran goalie David Aebischer(1) to go home to Switzerland, joining a new team in the NLA, Rapperswil-Jona Lakers.

While he didn’t earn a contract with Winnipeg Jets, the team he came back to North America on a tryout agreement to hopefully sign with, the 34-year old was offered an AHL deal, took it and did pretty well with their minor league affiliate St. John’s IceCaps running a 15-12 record with a 2.86 GAA and an .895 GAA and helping the team to the Calder Cup Eastern Conference Finals in their debut season.

Got to say it was still pretty cool seeing the former Colorado Avalanche 6th round pick in the 1997 draft (#161 overall) play when the IceCaps were in town and he got the start in net. He has played in 214 NHL games with a 106 wins to 74 loss record.

19Feb

Josh Hennessy(9) Vaxjo Lakers

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Originally a San Jose Sharks‘ 2nd round pick in the 2003 draft (#43 overall) forward Josh Hennessy(11) only spent one season in their system with Cleveland Barons before he was involved in a big trade that sent him to Ottawa Senators.

He stayed with the team for four seasons playing mostly in Binghamton and appeared in his only NHL games in each of those years (20 games, 1 goal, no assists).

Falling off their depth chart, he became an unrestricted free agent in 2010 and decided to sign with HC Lugano of the Swiss Elite League.

For the 2011/2012 season, he was offered the opportunity to come home (he’s originally from Brockton, MA) and signed a one-year, two-way deal with Boston Bruins.

He was recently recalled to the NHL for the first time in a couple of years and skated 7:54 in his first game (an unfortunate 4-2 loss) with 2 penalty minutes for roughing.

Look for him to get another chance as the Bruins continue to fight off the injury bug.

In 5 AHL seasons, he scored 20 or more goals per campaign. This year with Providence Bruins he has 15 goals and 15 assists in 49 games.

02Nov

David Aebischer(1) St. John’s IceCaps

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Here’s this year’s pro hockey thinker.

33-year old, Swiss-born 1997 Colorado Avalanche 6th round draft pick (#161 overall) David Aebischer(1) is back playing in a league he hasn’t played in for over a decade, the AHL.

He won the Stanley Cup in 2001. Sure he only played in one game, because some goalie named Patrick Roy happened to be the starter.

To his credit he has 214 games of NHL experience and posts a fairly impressive 2.52 GAA and .912 SV%.

During the last four seasons he has been playing net in his native Switzerland for the team he signed with the year of the lockout, HC Lugano.

In 2011/2012 seemingly out of nowhere, Winnipeg Jets offered him a training camp tryout and he was subsequently signed and reassigned to their AHL affiliate, St. John’s IceCaps.

Weirdo fact: he has an action figure of his goaltending likeness with the Avalanche.