NHL draft pick | CollegeHockeyPlayers

16Jul

Eric Neilson(29) Syracuse Crunch

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8th year right wing Eric Neilson(29) is known mostly for not shying away from any on ice situation and it certainly serves a much needed role on any team. In 47 games last season he scored one goal and was assessed 74 minutes in the penalty box, a surprising career low.

For the 2012/2013 he signed a one-year standard AHL contract with Syracuse Crunch, which essentially keeps him in the same system that he spent last season with, the Calder Cup winning Norfolk Admirals. He did not appear in a playoff game though.

Still at 6’1 201 lbs., the almost 28-year old forward is one of those players that’s better to have on your team than have to play against.

He was originally a Los Angeles Kings‘ 5th round pick in the 2004 draft (#143 overall) but really didn’t spend any time with the team but rather played a few seasons in the ECHL before moving up a notch.

He was also one of the guys on that 2005 Rimouski Oceanic QMJHL champion team with Sidney Crosby.

14Jul

Korbinian Holzer(5) Toronto Maple Leafs

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Toronto Maple Leafs‘ 4th round pick in the 2006 draft (#111 overall) German-born defenseman Korbinian Holzer(5) recently signed a 1-way contract to make the full-time jump to the big league.

Apparently they liked what they saw of him last year, although so far his only two NHL games came in his rookie year.

He put up AHL career highs in assists and points with Toronto Marlies.

Although he pocketed only one goal, he had 19 assists for 20 points and was a +7 plus/minus on a team that made it all the way to the Calder Cup Finals. In 2010/2011 he was a +10.

As a 19-year old he played three seasons in the DEL for DEG Metro Stars after a pair of campaigns in Germany2 (DEL2) but finally came over on a two-year entry level deal.

Now at 24-years old the big 6’3″ 206 lbs. d-man is looking to step it up.

12Jul

Nick Ross(42) EC Red Bull Salzburg

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Former Phoenix Coyotes‘ 1st round pick in the 2007 draft (#30 overall) defenseman Nick Ross(42) had his most productive season yet in the AHL (5 goals, 13 assists) despite playing only 35 games for Portland Pirates.

He was a healthy scratch for too many games in the final season of his 3-year entry level contract but obviously didn’t let that hinder his on-ice performance.

The 6’1″ 206 lbs. 23-year old blue liner was not issued a qualifying offer to return for 2012/2013 despite finally showing some signs of life and being more than accountable with a +16 plus/minus rating.

No worries, as he takes his pro game overseas to the Austrian Hockey League/Erste Bank Eishockey Liga signing with EC Red Bull Salzburg.

He’s still so young that we can easily see him continue to develop and impress enough to score another NHL contract down the road.

08Jul

Jason King(5) St. John’s IceCaps

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Heading into his 11th pro season, St. John’s IceCaps‘ assistant captain Jason King(5) re-signs for two more years with the hometown team.

He had a pretty solid 2011/2012 year playing in a career high 70 regular season games putting up a team leading 22 goals and 19 assists. The only downside was a miserable -14 plus/minus on the second best team in the AHL Eastern Conference.

Originally a Vancouver Canucks‘ 7th round pick in the 2001 draft (#212 overall), the 6’1″ 192 lbs. forward was fairly legendary with their AHL affiliate Manitoba Moose.

He also appeared in 59 NHL games, almost all with the ‘Nucks skating on the “mattress” line with the Henrik and Daniel Sedin: two twins and a King. Now that’s humor right there but he got 12 goals and 9 assists that year. Unfortunately by the next season had fallen lower on the depth chart as was strictly playing in the AHL.

The almost 31-year old is a good fit for the IceCaps.

07Jul

Mark Dekanich(1) St. John’s IceCaps

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5th year goalie Mark Dekanich(1) has always posted a winning record since turning pro in 2008.

He was originally a 5th round pick in the 2006 draft (#146 overall) by Nashville Predators and tended net in their system, mostly with AHL affiliate Milwaukee Admirals for his first three seasons.

In 2011/2012, his first and only season with Columbus Blue Jackets, a series of high ankle sprains and a groin injury limited his availability to only 5 regular season games with Springfield Falcons.

The 6’2″ 192 lbs. 26-year goaltender is still looked at as a potential NHL backstop (he’s appeared in one game) and Winnipeg Jets think that could be the case as they signed him to a one-year, two-way contract for the upcoming year.

Most likely he’ll compete for the St. John’s IceCaps‘ starting job.

07Jul

John Albert(16) St. John’s IceCaps

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2nd year center John Albert(16) was originally an Atlanta Thrashers‘ 6th round pick in the 2007 draft (#175 overall).

He signed an AHL only deal with Winnipeg Jets to play with their affiliate, St. John’s IceCaps for his rookie season in 2011/2012.

In 64 games he popped in 9 goals and 18 assists, while going a very accountable +10 plus/minus on a good team. He also scored 3 goals and added 2 assists in 15 Calder Cup Playoff games that saw the team get to the Eastern Conference Final.

Count the Jets as impressed, because they re-upped with the 23-year old AHL style for a second season.

At 5’11” (when fully stretched) 190 lbs. he’s the type of player that always looks to put himself at the center of the action and finds the open areas of the ice for scoring chances.

30Jun

Mike Carman(26) Washington Capitals

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3rd year center Mike Carman(26) re-signs with Washington Capitals for another year, two-way contract after they obtained him in a late season trade from Colorado. He was originally a 3rd round pick of the Avalanche in the 2006 draft (#81 overall), but due to become a restricted free agent this year after his two-year entry level deal was up.

In 32 games with Hershey Bears he scored 5 goals and 7 assists and finished the season, split with Lake Erie Monsters with 18 points in 60 total AHL contests.

The 24-year old 6′ 185 lbs. forward definitely seemed to be pretty enrolled in the game we saw him play . Skating a full season in Chocolatetown, he should be able to put up points.

29Jun

Ryan Garlock(14) Vålerenga

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Headed into his 7th pro season, center Ryan Garlock(14) is heading out of the country for 2012/2013 to skate with Vålerenga of GET-ligaen (Norway).

He was originally a Chicago Blackhawks‘ 2nd round pick in the 2003 draft (#45 overall) but has yet to play in an NHL game.

The 6’ 196 lbs. forward has 321 AHL games to his credit putting up 22 goals and 57 assists. He also spent parts of 3 seasons in the ECHL, where he easily was a point per game player.

He signed an spc with Springfield Falcons shortly after he joined the team on a pto last season, his second stint but first full year with the team.

He’s a tough one to figure out, because he’s got the size and tenacity and mostly plays an agitating style, leaving it all on the ice but other times he looks like he’s land of the lost and unable to follow the play.

See related post: 10/21/11

28Jun

Marco Rosa (19)

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Entering his 10th pro season, center Marco Rosa(19) skips the country to play with Espoo Blues of the SM-liiga for the 2012/2013 season.

Hampered by post-concussion symptoms, he was limited to just 31 games during the regular season but did manage to produce close to a point per game with 6 goals and 21 assists.

He was on par to beat his career high point totals from 2 years ago until he got sidelined.

Although he did return for 9 postseason contests, he wasn’t nearly the same player, getting only one assist.

Originally a Dallas Stars‘ 8th round pick in the 2001 draft (#255 overall), the 6’ 180 lbs. forward worked his way up through the ranks first with a few years in the ECHL and for the last 5 seasons he’s been an AHL mainstay.

At 30 years old, no doubt he’s making the right decision to possible play his final years in Europe.

27Jun

Corey Locke(84) TPS

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There comes a time when a player has pretty much done all he can in North America. Even though he was drafted by Montreal Canadiens in the 4th round of 2003 (#114 overall), has 573 AHL regular season and another 62 playoff games to his credit; plus 2 Calder Cup Championships (Binghamton 2011 and Hamilton 2007), has scored 197 goals and added 383 assists for a total of 580 points and has plenty of other accolades including league MVP to his credit, sometimes it’s just time.

28-year old center Corey Locke(84) signed on with TPS of SM-liiga for the 2012/2013 season as he becomes an unrestricted free agent after signing a two-year deal in 2010 with Ottawa Senators.

Odds are the quick thinking, skillful 5’9″ 175 lbs. playmaker will continue to produce a point per game even in the new environment.

It comes as a bit of a surprise that he would leave to go play in Europe as his two-way contract pays him pretty well and another team could easily use his services for another couple of seasons, but again, seems like more of a timing issue; and the level of hockey he’s entering will keep him at the top of his game.

Ironically he earned his only NHL point, an assist, last season. He’s appeared in only 9 big league games.

See related posts: 1/15/11, 5/6/11, 6/5/11.