Tagged: Idaho Steelheads

Carl Sneep

4th year, former Pittsburgh Penguins‘ 2nd round pick in the 2006 draft (#32 overall), towering defenseman Carl Sneep(4) somewhat surprisingly signs a one-year deal with Idaho Steelheads for 2013/2014.

He was originally signed to a 2-year entry level deal in which he appeared in his only NHL game and even recorded his first big league point, an assist. He also suffered injuries that limited his play in his sophomore campaign.

The 6’3″ 220 lbs. blue liner was extended for another season but something seemed to go amiss as he was inserted into the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins‘ lineup for a mere one appearance and spent most of his time watching from the stands before being reassigned to Wheeling Nailers, where he skated in 29 games before being dished to Dallas Stars.

He played 25 games with Texas Stars and received one recall but did not skate with the parent club and was once again bounced on loan late in the season to Peoria Riverman.

Not surprising, his point totals suffered, probably from changing addresses so much but he was never really viewed as a big point-getter since high school hockey.

He’s more of a big shutdown d-man that is tough to play against and holds a highly accountable +28 rating in 133 AHL games; and added another +12 in 29 ECHL games, but also was able to put up some marks on the score sheet (3 goals, 12 assists).

With his big frame though, he could easily put a bit more punishing grit into his style of play.

In four years with Boston College Eagles he was a part of two national championship teams.

Joining Idaho may be a strategic move for the 25-year old, as it would be no surprise to see him attend affiliate Texas Stars‘ training camp, rejoining the team and log some miles between the two western states.

See related: 12/18-11.

Undrafted 10th year center Warren Peters(43) is the type of veteran skater you want on your team come playoff time for his on ice determination and game leadership he brings.

An unrestricted free agent after two seasons in the Minnesota Wild system, he signed a one-year two-way contract with Pittsburgh Penguins that’s seen him contribute with all the aforementioned qualities during the regular season, but in the postseason with AHL affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins it’s on a whole other level. It’s also good reason for him to wear an assistant captain “A” on his sweater.

The 6’1″ 209 lbs. forward has made it to Calder Cup Finals in two of the last three seasons, first with Texas Stars and followed it up with Houston Aeros.

He’s appeared in 96 NHL with 3 different teams in each of the last four seasons (4 goals, 4 assists) and only likely didn’t receive a recall this season due to the shortened campaign.

As a player that started his career in the ECHL and even spent his entire sophomore season in the league during the other most recent lockout, we can appreciate the fact that he’s worked his way up to the show with lots of hard play and persistence.

The 30-year old is back on the market this summer but chances are the Penguins will offer him a one-year extension.

Warren Peters

 

 

 

derek-nesbitt-1

8th year undrafted right wing Derek Nesbitt(16) is one of those players that has consistently worked hard for every break he’s ever received playing pro hockey.

He joined his ninth team, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins to help them with their AHL Calder Cup playoffs push. He was traded from Peoria Rivermen, who was out of postseason contention.

The 6′ 185 lbs. forward started his career in the ECHL for a couple of seasons and won a Kelly Cup Championship in his sophomore campaign with Idaho Steelheads. He also put up 81 points in 66 games and another 6 goals and 12 assists in 22 playoff contests that breakout year.

It also set him up to move up to the higher league on a more permanent basis. In 211 ECHL games he has 86 goals and 154 assists.

He signed his only NHL deal with Phoenix Coyotes, a one-year two-way deal, a couple of seasons later.

He has spent most of his playing time in the AHL for the past 6 seasons, where he also has some pretty impressive numbers with 92 goals and 111 assists in 320 games.

The 31-year old is an unrestricted free agent pretty much like he’s always been, heading in 2013/2014 and is coming off his third straight 40+ point year and one where he tallied a career best 26 goals.

After playing 8 games on a pto with Bridgeport Sound Tigers to fill-in their tough guy role, 9th year right wing Adam Huxley(32) was just released and rejoins Las Vegas Wranglers, as they ready for another Kelly Cup Playoff run.

He has spent his entire pro career in the ECHL playing exclusively for Western Conference teams. He’s played in 479 games in the league with 45 goals and 63 assists to his credit, along with 1863 pims. He regularly eclipsed the 200-minute mark in 6 seasons of play.

The 6′ 200 lbs. forward has also appeared in 31 AHL games with three different teams scoring one assist and always putting up a healthy amount of time in the sin bin.

Hockeyfights credits him with 178 regular season bouts but there’s none listed for his rookie season, when he amassed his career high almost 300 penalty minutes. He also has two NHL preseason fights.

Where the 29-year old decides to sign for his 10th campaign will be interesting to see. It always is for the pro whose playing style is akin to a stick of dynamite.

Adam Huxley

kael-mouillierat

Undrafted 3rd year forward Kael Mouillierat(20) must have been holding out to see if any higher league offers trickled in after his best pro season yet in 2011/2012 on recall by Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

He finished the year having played a career high 44 AHL games and achieved bests in scoring with 8 goals and 15 assists for 23 points and a mighty impressive +16 plus/minus.

With no takers, he once again signed with Idaho Steelheads of the ECHL for a third straight season. He’s an asset on the ice though as the 6′ 185 lbs. skater is basically a point per game guy with the team and in his first appearance of the 2012/2013 season he hit the scoresheet for both a goal and an assist.

Once the NHL shakes hands on a new CBA, the 25-year will almost certainly continue his playing time in the AHL.

This highlight reel goal is a thing of beauty.

ashton-rome-1

Double draft pick, 7th year right wing Ashton Rome(44) makes an interesting move for the 2012/2013 season by signing with Greenville Road Warriors of the ECHL.

The move comes one season removed from his most productive AHL campaign with Portland Pirates, where he had league career highs in games played, goals and points.

He has skated in 91 games over a couple of years in the ECHL with a pair of different teams scoring 42 goals and 38 assists, so point productivity isn’t a problem for him in the lower level of hockey.

With the glut of talent being absorbed in the AHL, it’s seemingly a smart move for the almost 27-year old, who could also be setting up a path for himself post-playing pro hockey. There is little doubt he will help mentor the younger teammates and be a huge asset on ice and in the locker room.

He’ll also almost assuredly be on the short list for call-up by a number of teams and if the lockout lifts for the NHL he could find a permanent spot in the AHL sooner than later.

The 6’1 205 lbs. forward was originally a Boston Bruins’ 4th round pick in the 2004 draft (#108 overall) but was thrown back in the pool and picked up in the 5th round of 2006 by San Jose Sharks (#143 overall).

sean-backman1

New York Islanders‘ qualified and re-signed undrafted, 3rd year right wing Sean Backman(16) for another one-year, two-way deal.

The 5’8″ 165 lbs. forward skated in 66 AHL games last season with Bridgeport Sound Tigers putting up 7 goals and 11 assists, but was a rather terrible -11 on what was a fairly strong team.

He put up better numbers in his rookie campaign with Texas Stars, who were also a good team with a winning record.

The 26-year old was born only 30 minutes up the road in Connecticut and went to college about equal distance away from his current arena. Definitely must be nice to play his pro hockey so close to home and where he went to school but we’re sure the ultimate goal would be to be skating a little further south.

He has definitely shown the ability to find his way onto the scoresheet and digs for every second he’s on the ice.

steve-tarasuk

After only a couple of seasons of North American hockey, undrafted defenseman Steven Tarasuk(27) signs with German Ice Hockey tier 2 team Lausitzer Fuchse for 2012/2013.

The 5’10” 165 lbs. blue liner split time in 70 ECHL games last season with Ontario Reign and Idaho Steelheads putting up career highs in goals (8), assists (30) and points (38).

He was signed to an AHL contract with Bridgeport Sound Tigers after attending rookie camp with New York Islanders in his rookie season.

From there he was reassigned to Kalamazoo Wings, where he represented the team at the ECHL All-Star Classic and received a 3 game recall near the end of regular season.

He notched one assist.

At only 21 years old, he should fill out to a heavier playing weight and if he continues to affect the scoresheet, as he did in juniors, look for him to move up into higher levels of pro hockey in Europe and maybe even take a run at a full-time roster spot in the AHL.

steve-olesky

Undrafted, 3rd year defenseman Steve Oleksy(15) signed a pto joining the AHL’s Bridgeport Sound Tigers in October after starting the year in the ECHL with Idaho Steelheads, a team he’s played with in each of his pro years (110 total games).

He was returned after a couple of weeks but then recalled again in late November and signed an spc in late February to stay for the remainder of the season including their brief Calder Cup Playoffs‘ bid.

In 50 AHL games he had very decent point totals (a goal and 14 assists) and was an outstanding +16 plus/minus guarding the defensive zone.

The 6′ 195 lbs. also showed a willingness to mix it up when called upon.

Where the 26-year old blue liner will end up next season is anyone’s guess?

He wasn’t available to be put on Steelheads‘ protected list for 2012/2013.

The Sound Tigers should just be smart, sign him to another one-way deal for the upcoming season and be done with it.

In the meantime, he’s back home in Michigan running the Eastside Elite Hockey League, which is a summer program for pros and juniors wanting to stay game-situation sharp by skating in an 11-team non-check league.

7/2-12: Hershey Bears swoop in and grab the unrestricted free agent defenseman, signing him to a one-year AHL contract for 2012/2013.

 

Originally a Phoenix Coyotes‘ 8th round pick in the 2004 draft (#240 overall), center Aaron Gagnon(25) got his first crack at the big league a couple of seasons ago, while under contract with Dallas Stars.

In 21 games over two seasons, he registered 0 goals and a pair of assists.

He mostly skated with their AHL affiliate Texas Stars and has played over 250 career games, picking up 57 goals and 78 assists with 4 different teams.

Winnipeg Jets signed him to a one-year, two-way contract just after free agency began.

In 33 games this season with St. John’s IceCaps he has 8 goals and 12 assists but as a 5th year pro plays with a sense of purpose and accountability out there.

He was recently call-up for his first taste of NHL this year but was quickly returned as the team went into a low period off for the All-Star break.

In the game, which all his IceCaps‘ teammates attended he skated 12 shifts for 8:38 of ice time and went a -1 plus/minus.