HV71 | CollegeHockeyPlayers

16May

Andre Petersson(20) Norfolk Admirals

Posted in AHL, NHL | Leave a comment

Anaheim Ducks‘ Swedish-born right wing Andre Petersson(20) is at the end of his 3-year entry level deal he signed with draft team Ottawa Senators (2008 4th round #109 overall).

He was involved in a minor trade on the deadline date that sent him from one AHL affiliate, Binghamton Senators to Norfolk Admirals.

In the meantime though, the small but shifty 5’9″ 177 lbs. was managing to put up some career highs with 33 assists and 56 points, while his 23 goals tied a rookie campaign marker he put up quickly.

Having already played two seasons in the SHL before putting his hat in the ring for a shot at the NHL, he’s played only one game in 2011/2012.

The 23-year old is set to become a restricted free agent and will almost certainly be qualified, especially after a nice 2014 Calder Cup Playoff debut appearance with 3 goals and 3 assists in 10 games to get the underdog team to the second round.

The question might just be, will he still want to stick around to go after the North American hockey dream.

See related: 1/24-12

15Apr

William Karlsson(22) Norfolk Admirals

Posted in AHL, NHL | Leave a comment

Anaheim Ducks‘ 2nd round pick in the 2011 draft (#53 overall), Swedish-born center William Karlsson(22) already has 4 seasons of pro hockey in his home country, including the last pair in the SHL with HV71.

He scored 19 goals with 46 assists in 105 games and previously played 60 contests as a teenager in the tier 2 league, Allsvenskan.

The 6′ 180 lbs. forward was a point-per-game guy with a +25 rating in 2011/2012 for Västerås.

Signing his 3-year entry level deal for the current campaign, he was loaned by the parent club to skate one more season in Sweden.

With their playoff elimination, he was recalled to join minor league affiliate Norfolk Admirals.

In 6 AHL games he has his first North American pro hockey goal and a 3 assists, while playing a hard-working, highly skilled style.

At 21-years old he’ll most definitely be competing for a NHL roster spot for his official rookie year, 2014/2015.

12Feb

Jesper Fast(27) Hartford Wolf Pack

Posted in AHL, NHL | Leave a comment

New York Rangers‘ 6th round pick in the 2010 draft (#157 overall) fourth year, Swedish-born right wing Jesper Fast(27) had a career campaign in 2012/2013 on loan from the parent club back to HV71 of the SHL. He scored 18 goals and 17 assists in 46 games and added another tally and 4 helpers in the playoffs, while skating a combined +17 rating. It was his third year playing in the league.

The smart, speedy 6′ 185 lbs. forward started his rookie season in the NHL but was reassigned after 8 games with no points and a -5 plus/minus on a squad that was very slow out of the gate.

Reassigned to minor league affiliate Hartford Wolf Pack he’s contributing in a big way in all situations on another team that has been struggling to win.

In 24 AHL games he has 9 goals and 9 assists with a +5.

The recently turned 22-year old is signed to a three-year entry level deal through 2015 and will no doubt get another opportunity to show his stuff in the show.

26Dec

Kyle Beach (14)

Posted in AHL, NHL | Leave a comment

Chicago Blackhawks‘ 1st round pick in the 2008 draft (#11 overall), 4th year right wing Kyle Beach(14) finally saw his time expire in the team’s prospect system.

Unable to secure an NHL recall while playing with minor league affiliate Rockford IceHogs, he was still qualified for another season after his three-year entry deal was up.

The fairly big 6’3″ 210 lbs. player definitely has power forward size but seems to have a bit of unwillingness to use it where he is for anything more than getting it skirmishes with opponents.

In 175 AHL games he has 41 goals and 36 assists with 4 of those tallies coming in 7 contests in the current campaign.

He was a point-per-game guy though four WHL seasons, while always putting up close to 200 penalty minutes each year. He also concluded his junior hockey career with a +51 rating.

Traded to New York Rangers‘ organization and reassigned to their farm club, Hartford Wolf Pack, he has only notched one assist in 7 contests.

The still super-young 23-year old is only under contract through the end of the season and it’s possible his game will pick up to where it needs to be with the change of scenery, but he’s going to have to connect soon or his ice time may dry up.