NHL draft pick | CollegeHockeyPlayers

22Mar

William Wrenn(45) Texas Stars

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San Jose Sharks‘ 2nd round pick in the 2009 draft (#43 overall) rookie defenseman William Wrenn(45) was never signed by the team for his first pro season. Even though he attended minor league affiliate Worcester Sharks‘ training camp and didn’t make their opening night roster, he wasn’t simply reassigned to their ECHL team, San Francisco Bulls.

Instead, in all likelihood with the blessing of the parent club, he signed a deal to join him home town team in the league, Alaska Aces.

His first AHL recall was to Worcester Sharks, where he appeared in three games before being sent back and continuing to do well with 5 goals and 16 assists in 51 games playing for what is always an elite squad. He was also chosen to play in the All-Star Game.

A month later the 6’1 210 lbs. d-man received another call-up. This time inking a pto with the Western Conference leading Texas Stars.

It’s been a good fit for the 22-year old, as he’s skated in 12 games and scored 2 goals and 2 assists. He’s also been firing the puck on the net a ton, got into a couple of scraps and even had a three-game point streaking working for him.

Is San Jose taking notice? They are reporting news on him, so probably are.

21Mar

Louis Domingue(37) Gwinnett Gladiators

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Phoenix Coyotes‘ 5th round pick in the 2010 draft (#138 overall) rookie goaltender Louis Domingue(37) is another prospect putting up good numbers for affiliates in his first pro year.

In 32 games with ECHL Gwinnett Gladiators he’s stepped up big since taking over the starter job, boasting a 21-9-2 record with a 2.80 GAA and .902 SV%. He has helped the team clinch a playoff berth and just about seal the top spot in the South Division.

The 6’3″ 200 lbs. net minder has also played in two AHL games for Portland Pirates, getting a 6-3 win in his only start with a 2.40 GAA and .931 SV%.

The 21-year old is signed to a 3-year NHL entry level deal through 2015, so there is definitely much healthy competition between the pipes for Desert Dogs‘ #1 spot.

His continue good play will be key to the Glads going far in the upcoming Kelly Cup Playoffs. They have a tandem in net that could take them all the way.

20Mar

Mike Lee(31) Gwinnett Gladiators

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Phoenix Coyotes‘ 3rd round pick in the 2009 draft (#91 overall), rookie goaltender Mike Lee(31) has been reassigned and recalled to ECHL and AHL affiliates nine times in his first pro season, which is seemingly a lot but in turn he has received much playing time in both leagues.

He impressively won his first five starts in net for Portland Pirates before coming back down to earth posting a 6-3 mark with a 2.76 GAA and .915 SV% in 10 games until recently being sent back down, where barring any further injuries he’ll likely stay to finish out the year.

The 6’1″ 190 lbs. net minder started the season with Gwinnett Gladiators. He has a record of 14-11-1 with a 2.23 GAA and .916 SV%, has been Goaltender Of The Week on two occasions and made an appearance in the league All-Star Game.

No doubt the future is bright between the pipes for the Coyotes‘ prospects, as the top five goalie in the league will now compete with his former back-up for the starting job heading into the ECHL Kelly Cup Playoffs, making them one tough team to beat.

The 22-year old signed a 3-year NHL entry level deal, which keeps him in the system through 2015.

15Mar

Marcel Noebels (29)

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Philadelphia Flyers‘ 4th round pick in the 2011 draft (#118 overall), German-born center Marcel Noebels(29) started his pro career in the ECHL with affiliate Trenton Titans.

He went to work right away scoring 11 goals and adding 19 assists in 31 games, was voted rookie of the month for December and picked to appear in the All-Star Game.

The 6’3″ 193 lbs. forward was unavailable to play though, as he was recalled to Adirondack Phantoms at the start of 2013 to continue scoring.

He’s not exactly there but has 7 goals and 6 assists in 25 games, which is still awfully good for your North American pro hockey debut.

His numbers in juniors were that of a point per game guy.

The 21-year old (as of March 14: Happy Birthday!) is signed to a 3-year entry level deal, keeping him in the system through 2015.

At the pace the Flyers are going this lockout shortened season, he may be worth a look in their lineup to see if he can give them some goal scoring punch over physical play, which they might have too much of on the current roster.

13Mar

Darian Dziurzynski(26) Arizona Coyotes

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Phoenix Coyotes have officially signed their 5th round pick in the 2011 draft (#141 overall), rookie left wing Darian Dziurzynski(26) to a two-year entry level contract after his feisty play for minor league affiliate Portland Pirates.

He was initially reassigned at the start of the season but signed to an AHL contract only.

In 43 games he has 6 goals and 4 assists with 69 penalty minutes and a -5 rating.

The 6’1″ 204 lbs. forward is a pesky presence on the ice. He seems smaller than that but that’s probably because he’s crouched, skating towards the play so much when he’s out there.

It would be easy to see the soon-to-be 22 year old score some NHL ice time as a fourth line energy skater.

His brother is David, who has appeared his first 10 big league games with Ottawa Senators this season.

09Mar

Ian Schultz(21) San Francisco Bulls

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Montreal Canadiens‘ 3rd year right wing prospect Ian Schultz(21) has been shuffled around a bit more than he likely planned this season.

After two campaigns with AHL affiliate Hamilton Bulldogs (6 goals and 17 assists in 60 games last season, all career highs), he failed to make the team out of training camp and was reassigned to ECHL affiliate Wheeling Nailers (13 games, 2 assists). He wasn’t alone either; it was a pretty big group of names. From there though he was moved again within the league to join Utah Grizzlies.

The 6’2″ 185 lbs. forward had better luck with that squad putting up 7 goals and 8 assists in 27 games but is better known for his fisticuffs than goal scoring strength.

He earned a short-lived recall to the Bulldogs that lasted only a couple of games before being returned.

Recently he was shuffled again in a minor league deal that the parent club allowed him to be traded to San Francisco Bulls for the remainder of the year.

The 23-year old was originally a St. Louis Blues‘ 3rd round pick in the 2008 draft (#87 overall) but was dished to the Canadiens as a minor piece of a bigger transaction before his skates ever hit officially hit the ice for the team.

His 3-year entry level deal expires at the end of the season and where he ends up from here is anyone’s guess.

08Mar

Mark Stone(16) Ottawa Senators

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Ottawa Senators‘ 6th round pick in the 2010 draft (#178 overall) rookie right wing Mark Stone(16) received his first recall. He did appear in one playoff game, getting his first pro point, an assist, in last year’s surprise postseason berth and great first round for the team.

In his 2013 NHL season debut he skated 24 shifts for 15:14 total ice time in the 5-4 loss. He had a shot on net, two hits, a giveaway, a takeaway and finished a -1 plus/minus. Seems like the coach put a lot of confidence in the 6’2″ 188 lbs. forward to find a spot on what is a seriously injury depleted lineup that somehow survives and is a playoff threat once again.

He was doing well in the AHL with Binghamton Senators scoring 8 times with 13 assists in 38 games and a phenomenally accountable +15 rating on a team that is already surprising critics and opponents.

The 20-year old put up huge numbers in his last two seasons of junior hockey. In his final campaign he was this close to being a 2-point per game guy with 41 goals and 82 assists in 66 games and an unreal +45.

His skills are there. It’s just that question: is this his time?

07Mar

Brandon McMillan(15) Anaheim Ducks

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Anaheim Ducks‘ 3rd round pick in the 2008 draft (#85 overall) center/left wing Brandon McMillan(15) is in the final season of his 3-year entry level contract.

He played more NHL games in his rookie campaign than he did through his sophomore season, spending more time with their minor league affiliate Syracuse Crunch.

He put up some pretty decent numbers, in 55 AHL games scoring 12 goals and 18 assists. The small-ish 5’11” 190 lbs. forward actually produced respectably for the Ducks in first season with 10 goals and 11 assists in 60 games and added another goal and an assist in 6 playoff match-ups.

No telling which league he would spend more time in for 2012/2013 with the lockout effectively knocking out half the year, but he received his first recall after 36 games with new farm team, Norfolk Admirals.

In his 2013 debut he skated 11 shifts for 6:32 total ice time, was a -1 plus/minus in the overtime loss and won 62% of his face-offs. He’s making his 2nd appearance of the season and looks to be getting some increased opportunities.

06Mar

Chris Brown (11)

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Phoenix Coyotes‘ 2nd round pick in the 2009 draft (#36 overall), rookie center Chris Brown(11) received his first NHL recall and skated 9 shifts for 6:52 total ice time in the shootout win before being returned to minor league affiliate Portland Pirates, where he scored a goal in his first game back (also a shootout victory).

In 52 AHL games he has 19 goals and 12 assists with a -8 rating on a team that looks destined to push its’ winning record into the postseason.

The 6’2″ 207 lbs. skater has the attributes of a power forward and plays the style but maybe needs to infuse a tad more grit in his game to make a bigger, lasting impact.

In three college seasons he put up good numbers, deciding to drop his final season and signed a three-year entry level deal that keeps him with the Desert Dogs through 2015.

Not bad for a player born and raised deep in the heart of Texas.

He becomes only the fifth player in history from the state to don an NHL sweater.

04Mar

Andreas Lilja(6) Adirondack Phantoms

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Philadelphia Flyers‘ 13th year Swedish defenseman Andreas Lilja(6) is having a bit of a tough time finding a spot on the big club’s roster this lockout shortened season and has found himself reassigned to their farm team, Adirondack Phantoms on more than one occasion.

He’s played only a single NHL game thus far but has appeared in 11 AHL games and has three helpers.

The 37-year old has appeared through a smattering of loans to minor league clubs in the last few years but hasn’t spent significant time in the league since his rookie campaign with Lowell Lock Monsters in 2000/2001.

He was originally a Los Angeles Kings‘ 2nd round pick (#54 overall) in 2000 that already had 4+ years pro experience in SEL.

The sizable 6’3″ 220 lbs. blue liner has played an outstanding 577 NHL games scoring 16 goals and 77 assists with an overall +32 rating. He was also a member of the 2008 Detroit Red Wings’ Stanley Cup Championship team.

He’s set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the current season and it would be no surprise to see him sign with his 6th team for at least one more run.