Montreal Canadiens | CollegeHockeyPlayers

10Jan

Sebastian Collberg(49) Bridgeport Sound Tigers

Posted in AHL, ECHL, NHL | Leave a comment

New York Islanders‘ Swedish-born rookie right wing Sebastian Collberg(49) got the wake-up call pretty quickly as he was reassigned down to affiliate Stockton Thunder when he wasn’t really producing much with farm club Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

In 6 ECHL games he produced 4 goals and 3 assists that proved he definitely belonged on a higher level of hockey. He already had 3 seasons of pro experience in his home country’s top league SHL skating for Frolunda.

He rebounded nicely, in 18 AHL games he now has 3 goals and 5 assists and is definitely starting to contribute. Two of those tallies were notched when he returned up the ladder.

The 5’11” 186 lbs. forward, who was originally a Montreal Canadiens‘ 2nd round pick in the 2012 draft (#33 overall) then traded, is only officially signed through the end of this season, when his three-year entry level deal with two years on loan, expires.

The only 20-year old will need to continue to step it up and prove himself worthy for a look at the next level to earn a qualifying offer.

04Dec

Brent Sopel(55) Chicago Wolves

Posted in AHL, NHL | Leave a comment

Enduring 17th year defenseman Brent Sopel(55) has not appeared in an AHL game since 1999-2000 with Syracuse Crunch, then affiliate of Vancouver Canucks.

He was originally a ‘Nucks 6th round pick in the 1995 draft (#144 overall) and last skated in the minors with the old Kansas City Blades in the last year of the IHL. His stint was a short 4-game stay as this would be his first complete season in the show.

The 37-year old has skated an absolutely phenomenal 659 NHL games and was a key member of the 2010 Stanley Cup win with Chicago Blackhawks.

Only one season removed hockey’s biggest prize he would disappear for three years to the KHL.

Returning to North America to be play closer to home, he entered training camp on an invite with Chicago Wolves and signed a one-year deal as the 2014/2015 season started.

The 6’1″ 201 lbs. blue liner is already contributing nicely with 7 assists in 21 games and a +2 rating, plus is the senior member of his squad so his vast knowledge and leadership both on and off the ice is priceless.

He recently appeared in his 1000 pro game as his career continues and still eyes a return to the highest league of hockey.

02May

NHL Eastern Conference Second Round – Game 1: Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens

Posted in NHL | Leave a comment

There is just an ass-load of hockey talent on ice for this Game 1 NHL Stanley Cup Eastern Conference Round 2 face-off: Boston Bruins at home, TD Garden, vs. Montreal Canadiens.

From left to right: (Bruins) captain Zdeno Chara(33), Reilly Smith(18), Patrice Bergeron(37), Brad Marchand(63)

same direction: (Montreal) Max Pacioretty(67), Josh Gorges(26), David Desharnais(51), PK Subban(76), Thomas Vanek(20)

The Canadiens took the double overtime win 4-3 on Subban‘s 2nd of the night to take the 1-0 series lead.

22Apr

Steve Quailer(13) Manchester Monarchs

Posted in AHL, NHL | Leave a comment

Originally a Montreal Canadiens‘ 3rd round pick in the 2008 draft (#86 overall) right wing Steve Quailer(13) was involved in a mostly minor league that sent him to Los Angeles Kings, who are notorious for developing size up front.

At 6’4″ 209 lbs. he’s certainly a big frame and has been using it in his time with AHL affiliate Manchester Monarchs. In 19 games he’s posted 3 goals and 3 assists pushing him to modest yet new career highs for helpers and points.

He played for a season and a half with Hamilton Bulldogs.

In the final season of his 2-year entry level deal, he signed after he finished four years at Northeastern University, where he served as assistant captain.

Already 24-years old, he’s set to become a restricted free agent at the end of the current campaign, but should be retained for one more shot in the prospect system to see if he’ll turn the corner the way they think he might by picking him up.

He’ll be playing in his first forthcoming postseason games.

21Dec

Arron Asham(45) Hartford Wolf Pack

Posted in AHL, NHL | Leave a comment

16-year veteran right wing Arron Asham(45) last spent time in the AHL with teams that are long-defunct: Quebec Citadelles and earlier Fredericton Canadiens. This occurred more than 10 seasons ago, when he was signed to the team that chose him in the 3rd round of the 1996 draft (#71 overall), Montreal Canadiens.

He spent four seasons with the team and in their prospect system until he was traded to New York Islanders and would play the next 10 years exclusively in the NHL.

The 5’11” 210 lbs. forward has played in a staggering 789 big league games scoring 94 goals and 114 assists with a -42 rating, which isn’t great and makes us wonder how he managed to sign so many one-way contracts throughout his pro career.

Signed to a two-year deal with New York Rangers that ends at the conclusion of 2013/2014, the 35-year old has been up and down with minor league affiliate Hartford Wolf Pack but will likely see his career make it to 800 big league games.

Where he ends up next (possible retirement) is a crap shoot.

21Nov

Brad Staubitz(16) Toronto Marlies

Posted in AHL, NHL | Leave a comment

Undrafted 9th year tough guy, right wing Brad Staubitz(16) has a one-way NHL deal for 2013/2014, but has been unable to find his spot on a roster. Signed to a 2-year contract with Anaheim Ducks, he was only played sparingly in the lockout shortened season and landed south with Norfolk Admirals to start the new campaign.

Disgruntled there after 7 AHL games, he was traded in hopes of finding a new start in Toronto Maple Leafs‘ organization but might have the same problem, few openings in the lineup and was reassigned to Toronto Marlies.

Never a player to mark up the score sheet with points, the 6’1″ 207 lbs. forward has never shied away from the rough stuff, amassing more than 100 penalty minutes in virtually every season and is strictly looked at as a fourth line energy source for a team.

It’s maybe a bit doubtful that the rugged winger will find another home in the show unless he reinvents his game some going into camp next season and catches the attention of a team in need of an enforcer.

19Nov

Yann Danis(34) Adirondack Phantoms

Posted in AHL, NHL | Leave a comment

Undrafted 10th year veteran goalie Yann Danis(34) has played NHL games in four of his five last seasons. He had one campaign on the interim in the KHL.

Signed to a 1-year two-way deal with Philadelphia Flyers, he’s splitting time between the pipes for their minor league affiliate Adirondack Phantoms and is an invaluable mentor to young prospects in the system.

He has 284 regular season games of AHL experience with a roughly 2.46 GAA and .913 SV%. He was named goaltender of the league in 2012 for his consistent play.

The 5’11” 182 lbs. net minder also has 53 NHL games, mostly in one run with New York Islanders but also appearances with Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils and most recently for Edmonton Oilers.

His numbers in the show are a bit less impressive at 3.02 GAA and .891 SV% but they’ve mostly been when called in as the back-up.

The 32-year old will likely get his chance at another big league game and the trend will continue.

It will definitely be interesting to see where he lands for his 11th season in 2014/2015.

07Nov

Zack Stortini(26) Norfolk Admirals

Posted in AHL, NHL | Leave a comment

Mammoth 6’4″ 234 lbs., 9th year right wing Zack Stortini(26) is in familiar playing territory leading the AHL in penalty minutes with 66 and 8 fighting majors, currently skating for a good squad in Norfolk Admirals this season. In 12 games he also has a goal and an assist.

He signed a 1-year, 2-way contract with Anaheim Ducks for 2013/2014 early in free agency. He was coming off a pair of single campaigns with Hamilton Bulldogs and Nashville Predators, all but one game in the minors, after spending the first 6 years in Edmonton Oilers‘ system.

Originally an Oilers‘ 2003 3rd round pick (#94 overall), he appeared in 256 NHL games with the team scoring 14 goals and 27 assists while amassing 718 pims.

It may be a little late in the 28-year old’s pro career to change up his playing style, especially considering he looks poised to lead the league in time spent in the box and fisticuffs’ battles, but he has shown some skill to be a power forward.

He did put up a point in every other game through four years of OHL juniors and was captain for Sudbury Wolves in three of those years but also learned how to battle ferociously in his early playing days.

31Oct

Danny Kristo(29) Hartford Wolf Pack

Posted in AHL, NHL | Leave a comment

Rookie right wing Danny Kristo(29) is off to a hot start with his pro career.

In 9 AHL games with Hartford Wolf Pack he already has 6 goals and 3 assists, which basically picks up where he left off at University Of North Dakota.

Through four years, he put up 68 goals and 93 assists in 157 games, good for just over a point-per-game.

He also was a part of three straight NCAA Championship teams, won a gold medal with USA at the World Juniors and on a personal level was a Hobey Baker Award finalist.

The 5’11” 185 lbs. forward was originally a Montreal Canadiens‘ 2nd round draft pick and played 9 games signed to an ato with their minor league affiliate Hamilton Bulldogs at the end of last season. He tallied three helpers in the stint.

He inked to a two-year entry level deal but at the start of free agency he found himself switching jerseys and headed to New York Rangers.

The 23-year old definitely has smooth hands for scoring and play-making and also possesses a bit of a grinder mentality to his game despite his smaller size.

He should realize his first NHL recall sooner than later and will probably stick as soon as he gets a chance.

03Jul

Tony DeHart(2) St. Charles Chill

Posted in AHL, ECHL, NHL | Leave a comment

After a couple of seasons with the ECHL Stockton Thunder, including an appearance in the 2013 Kelly Cup Finals with the team, 3rd year defenseman Tony DeHart(2) is one of the first players to sign with the Central Hockey League expansion St. Charles Chill for the 2013/2014 season.

Originally a New York Islanders‘ fifth round pick in the 2010 draft (#125 overall), the 6’2″ 202 lbs. blue liner was never signed. Instead, he attended Montreal Canadiens‘ and AHL affiliate Hamilton Bulldogs‘ training camps on an invite before being released.

He signed his first contract with Stockton as a rookie and inked an extension to return for his sophomore campaign, where he had career highs in goals, assists and points finishing the 2012/2013 season with 5-20-25 marks.

Not being so much of a stranger to putting up points, he notched 40 assists in his fourth year in juniors with Oshawa Generals and has continued to increased the number of pucks he’s put on net for scoring chances.

Joining the St. Charles‘ squad brings the 23-year old back to his home state of Missouri. He was born less than a half hour away from their home arena. u

Chances are he’ll look to impress and put up points in an effort to move back up the pro hockey ladder.