Tagged: Las Vegas Wranglers

12Apr

J.D. Watt(10) Ontario Reign

Posted in AHL, ECHL, NHL | Leave a comment

4th year pro, right wing J.D. Watt(10) signed an AHL contract with Manchester Monarchs‘ for the 2011/2012 season after opting out of his one-year deal with Calgary Flames.

He was originally a Flames‘ 4th round pick in 2005 (#111 overall) and played 139 AHL games with their affiliates in Quad City then Abbotsford Heat before leaving.

Starting the season with the Monarchs‘ ECHL affiliate Ontario Reign he was recalled three times and played 19 games scoring a goal to go along with a pair of helpers.

He was most recently reassigned to the ECHL again to help out in the Reign‘s Kelly Cup Playoff push. They did get to game 5 before losing in that decisive matchup.

He will likely be recalled unless the Monarchs wait to see how their final weekend unfolds as they are in a battle for their playoff lives. The 24-year has been mostly a 4th line energy forward throughout his playing career.

24Feb

Blair Riley(5) Bridgeport Sound Tigers

Posted in AHL, ECHL | Leave a comment

blair-riley

Undrafted 2nd year left wing Blair Riley(5) was rewarded with an AHL spc by Bridgeport Sound Tigers for his consistent hard work up front on what has turned into winning push for the team as the Calder Cup Playoffs near.

Initially signed to a pto back in November of last year on call-up from Chicago Express, the ECHL team he inked with to start 2011/2012, he’s played 31 games and has a goal and a pair of assists but more importantly he’s fitting into a mix that works for the team.

He played 8 AHL games last season with San Antonio Rampage and Peoria Rivermen and scored one goal and got 2 assists. He’s already got career highs in games played but goals and assists will likely soon follow.

In 15 games this season with the Express, he had 7 goals (including the first ever in team history) and 9 assists, so scoring will be expected of him as he gets even more games under his belt.

He played 59 games with Las Vegas Wranglers in his rookie season and put up 20 goals and 20 assists.

22Feb

Matt Watkins(14) Phoenix Coyotes

Posted in AHL, ECHL, NHL | Leave a comment

3rd year wing Matt Watkins(14) was originally drafted by Dallas Stars in the 5th round of 2005 (#160 overall) but signed his entry level deal with Phoenix Coyotes, where he’s been the entire time progressively putting up points for their AHL affiliates, San Antonio Rampage in his first couple of seasons and this year with Portland Pirates.

At only 5’10” 180 lbs. he’s a relatively small guy (and looks it out there at times) but so are a lot of their prospects. Regardless, he’s next in line for a shot at the show. He’s quietly 6th in team scoring this season with 9 goals and 18 assists, heading toward a career year for points.

He wears the assistant captain “A” this season for Portland.

11Jan

Tim Spencer(33) Springfield Falcons

Posted in AHL, ECHL | Leave a comment

5th year, undrafted forward Tim Spencer(33) started the 2011/2012 season in the ECHL with Chicago Express and Trenton Titans but it didn’t take long for him to earn a call-up to the AHL with Springfield Falcons.

Originally signing a pto with the team in November, he was recently upped to a standard player contract after just 12 games and three fights where he just pummeled his opponent.

He’s oversized at 6’6″ 230 lbs. and has no problem stepping in to protect his teammates or give a beat down on a deserving member of the other team.