NHL draft pick | CollegeHockeyPlayers

25Jun

Colin Long (10)

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Phoenix Coyotes‘ restricted free agent center Colin Long(10) may have been reading the tea leaves with his decision to join Dusseldorfer EG Metro Stars of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL) for 2012/2013, leaving that status on the table for now.

It was the final year of his 3-year entry level contract, which saw his playing time limited to just 53 AHL games with San Antonio Rampage and last season Portland Pirates, due to head and upper body injuries that continued to follow him.

He also played 50 games in the ECHL with Las Vegas Wranglers during his second year and was almost a point per game skater.

The former Coyotes‘ 4th round pick in the 2009 draft (#99 overall) doesn’t exactly have the size out there at 5’11” 186 lbs. but he does bring an edginess to his style, when he’s fully involved in the game.

Coming from a couple of years of big numbers in juniors, bigger things were expected of him but sidetracked due to multiple injuries to the 23-year old.

There’s still plenty of time for him to develop if he can stay healthy.

24Jun

Michel Ouellet(28) Boston Bruins

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10th year veteran right wing Michel Ouellet(28) was traded from the Tampa Bay Lightning organization, where he won the Calder Cup Championship last season with AHL affiliate Norfolk Admirals, to Boston Bruins in a draft day deal.

If signed, he’ll most likely be reassigned to Providence to start 2012/2013.

The former Pittsburgh Penguins‘ 4th round pick in the 2000 draft (#124) has 190 games of NHL experience 52 goals and 68 assists.

In the AHL he has 105 goals and 131 assists in 330 regular and postseason games.

No doubt the 30-year old, 6’1″ 210 lbs. forward will bring some much needed size to the P-Bruins‘ lineup but they are certainly going to need him to regain that scoring touch to help them get back into the playoffs for the first time in a few seasons.

He could also pull some effective 4th line duties for the big club if injuries occur.

23Jun

Marc Cheverie(30) Pittsburgh Penguins

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2nd year goaltender Marc Cheverie(30) has split his first couple of seasons between ECHL and AHL teams with most of his appearances in the former.

In 2011/2012, he posted his best numbers yet with Gwinnett Gladiators winning 10 games, 4 losses and a 2.71 GAA and .910 SV% on a team that should have gone much further in the Kelly Cup Playoffs than their first round exit.

He was involved in a draft day Pittsburgh Penguins‘ trade with Phoenix Coyotes that could land him the job as a back-up for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and/or maybe continue in AA hockey with their affiliate Wheeling Nailers.

The 25-year backstop is decently sized at 6’2″ 185 lbs. and should continue to improve his game, making him a nice pick-up for the Pens‘ system.

He was originally a Florida Panthers‘ 7th round pick in 2006 (#193 overall).

22Jun

Jean-Philippe Cote (24)

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Entering his 10th pro season, defenseman Jean-Phillipe Cote(24) becomes the first signing for Tampa Bay Lightning‘s brand new AHL affiliate Syracuse Crunch after winning the Calder Cup, his second, with Norfolk Admirals last season.

He inked a two-year minor league deal that will keep him in the system through 2014.

The 6’2″ 210 lbs. 30-year old started the year playing 10 games with Ontario Reign of the ECHL (his first appearance in the league) before signing a pto with the Admirals in mid-November that was bumped up to a standard player contract a month later.

Originally a Toronto Maple Leafs‘ 9th round pick in the 2000 draft (#265 overall), the big blue liner has appeared in 8 NHL games with Montreal Canadiens and won his first Calder Cup with Hamilton Bulldogs in 2007.

He spent his first 5 seasons with the team skating in 354 games with the team.

He may not be the most prolific scoring d-man but he’s accountable force out there and even put up career highs last season for assists (12), points (15) and plus/minus (+26) and postseason games played, so he’s a good guy to have on any team.

19Jun

Patrick McNeill(2) Hershey Bears

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Washington Capitals‘ 4th round pick in the 2005 draft (#118 overall), soon-to-be 6th year defenseman Patrick McNeill(2) knew as last season ended where he’d be skating in 2012/2013.

He signed a 2-year extension in June 2011 taking him through 2012/2013, making it a half dozen years he’ll be skating with the same organization.

In 2011/2012 with Hershey Bears he had his most productive season yet with careers highs for games played (71), goals (10), assists (31), points (41) and even shots on goal (103). He was 1st for d-men on the team in points.

One thing missing though is an appearance in an NHL game. He’s was recalled and reassigned on a couple of occasions in late 2011 but nothing last season.

It would be a bit surprising if the 6’1″ 200 lbs. 25-year old doesn’t get that opportunity in the final year of his current deal.

18Jun

Brian Willsie(24) Hamilton Bulldogs

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14-year veteran right wing, Hamilton Bulldogs‘ assistant captain Brian Willsie(24) maybe didn’t have the most productive point totals of his career, but his 18 goals and 26 assists were first in team scoring for 2011/2012.

As of July 1 he becomes an unrestricted free agent and could potentially sign with his fourth different team in the last 4 seasons.

With 381 games of NHL experience (52 goals, 57 assists and 5 full years with teams), no doubt the leadership quality he brings to any team he plays for is worth the price of his contract.

He played in his last big league contest as recently as two seasons ago with Washington Capitals (a team he’s skated 132 of his career league games with) and even got an assist in the one game he appeared in.

He was originally a Colorado Avalanche 6th round pick in the 1996 draft (#146 overall).

It’s a bit of a wonder why the Canadiens didn’t call him up, when they brought a few of the younger guys in the system up and down on a number of occasions.

What’s next for the 34-year old? We wait.

17Jun

Philip Varone(22) Rochester Americans

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Rochester Americans‘ rookie center Phil Varone(22) is another 1st year player that has to have a smile on his face looking back at the results of his pro debut.

Originally a San Jose Sharks‘ 5th round pick in 2007 (#147 overall), the 21-year old signed an AHL deal to start 2011/2012 with the Amerks after attending Buffalo Sabres‘ training camp.

In 76 regular season games he posted 11 goals and 41 assists, which sat him at number 10 in the league for rookie scoring and his helpers total was good enough to tie him for first overall. His 52 points led all Rochester players in points as well and he had a team 2nd best +17 plus/minus.

Near the end of the season, the Sabres stepped back into the picture and signed him to a 3-year entry level deal that will keep the 5’10 186 lbs. forward with the organization through 2015.

Good work!

09Jun

Patrick Maroon(19) Anaheim Ducks

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Anaheim Ducks’ jumbo truck-sized left wing Patrick Maroon(19) signs a one-year contract extension joining them for a 3rd season in their system.

He had a career year in 2011/2012 scoring highs in goals, assists and points (32-42=74) in 75 AHL games for Syracuse Crunch, leading the team in points.

In 289 regular season AHL games (first with Adirondack Phantoms) he’s racked up 92 goals and 136 assists.

The 24-year old was originally a Philadelphia Flyers‘ 6th round pick in the 2007 draft (#161 overall).

He didn’t play his first pair of NHL games until this past season though, not finding his way on the scoresheet.

As the Ducks regroup for the next year, if he has a good training camp there’s reason to think the 6’4″ 225 lbs. forward could find himself on the opening night roster.

08Jun

Justin Azevedo(15) Lukko

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Los Angeles Kings‘ 6th round pick in the 2008 draft (#153 overall) center Justin Azevedo(15) will be taking his restricted free agent status to Finland, joining Lukko of the SM-liiga.

Although the deal is done, they have to wait until after the Kings‘ battle in the Stanley Cup Finals is over to announce it. There’s a bit of irony in there too, as he’s one of L.A.’s “Black Aces” practicing with the team as they push towards the finish.

The 5’7″ 172 lbs. forward leaves never having skated in an NHL game over four seasons with the team’s minor leaugue affiliate Manchester Monarchs.

He has played in 271 AHL regular and postseason games scoring 79 goals and 108 assists. He had a career-year for goals scored with 28 in 2011/2012.

The 24-year always worked hard out there despite his smaller size and was probably a bit overlooked for at least a few games at the end of a season test-run in the big league.

03Jun

David Aebischer(1) Rapperswil-Jona Lakers

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Once again it’s time for soon to be 14 year veteran goalie David Aebischer(1) to go home to Switzerland, joining a new team in the NLA, Rapperswil-Jona Lakers.

While he didn’t earn a contract with Winnipeg Jets, the team he came back to North America on a tryout agreement to hopefully sign with, the 34-year old was offered an AHL deal, took it and did pretty well with their minor league affiliate St. John’s IceCaps running a 15-12 record with a 2.86 GAA and an .895 GAA and helping the team to the Calder Cup Eastern Conference Finals in their debut season.

Got to say it was still pretty cool seeing the former Colorado Avalanche 6th round pick in the 1997 draft (#161 overall) play when the IceCaps were in town and he got the start in net. He has played in 214 NHL games with a 106 wins to 74 loss record.