San Jose Sharks‘ 2007 7th round pick (#201 overall), second year defenseman Justin Braun(27) might find himself racking up the frequent flyer miles this season between CA and Central MA with their AHL affiliate Worcester Sharks.
He recently got his first goal of the year, which may help his case for staying in the NHL for more than the 28 games he played as a rookie (2 goals, 9 assists).
In 14 games with San Jose he has a few points in 14 games but is a very sturdy +5 on the plus/minus.
8th year wing Colin Stuart(10) played Friday night in Rochester, where he is team captain of the Amerks. On Saturday he received his first NHL 2011/2012 season call-up and played in Buffalo Sabres‘ home game. Then on Sunday he was back in the AHL playing up in Hamilton playing against the Bulldogs.
He was original picked in the 5th round of the 2001 draft (#135 overall) by Atlanta Thrashers and was in their system for the first four years of his pro career.
He’s been signed with Buffalo for the last couple of seasons and has responded to this season’s leadership role with a point production that puts him second on the team.
After failing to connect like he did in preseason, the monstrous (6’4″ 225 lbs.) center Evgeny Gratchev(91) is reassigned by St. Louis Blues to their AHL affiliate Peoria Rivermen to go find that scoring touch after only producing two assists in 17 games played to start the season.
He was acquired by the Blues in an offseason trade with New York Rangers for a 3rd round pick in the 2011 draft. He was originally drafted by the Rangers in the 3rd round of the 2008 draft (#75 overall).
At 21 years old, it seems like he’s struggling a bit to find his form in the NHL game. It’s still only his third pro season and he may be something of a late developer to becoming the power forward he is projected to be.
Phoenix Coyotes‘ 2006 1st round pick (#29 overall) defenseman Chris Summers(5) recently received his first playing time in his second call-up of the 2011/2012 season for a couple of NHL apprearances; he played 2 games with the team last season.
He fared better on this recall going a +1 with a shot on net.
He’s been since reassigned to their AHL affiliate Portland Pirates where he will continue to work on his game in just his second year pro.
In his rookie year with San Antonio Rampage, last year’s Coyotes‘ AHL affiliate, he put up 1 goal with 9 assists in 75 games.
Through 15 games this year he’s got a couple of assists but is a bit more impressive a +5.
Look for him to get another look this season.
Carolina Hurricanes‘ 6th round pick in 2008 (#165 overall) goaltender Mike Murphy(31) earned his first recall in his third season in their system.
No doubt he probably wasn’t expecting to be called into action late in the team’s 7-6 loss. He played 8 minutes 37 seconds and had 2 shots (and saves) on net. He also somehow suffered the strike against his record.
He’s played well for their AHL affiliate Charlotte Checkers last season (and in the playoffs) and is off to a nice start with them this year.
Ironic that the two goalies that were called up this week to play their first NHL games (on the spot) wear the number 31 on their AHL teams. Matt Hackett keeps the number with the Wild but Murphy switches it up to 70.
Minnesota Wild‘s 2009 3rd round pick (#77 overall) goaltender Matt Hackett(31) received his 2nd call up of the season.
He barely made it in time to ride the pine for the game before being sent back.
During this time up though, he was pressed into action after starting goalie Josh Harding went down with a rather bizarre neck injury early in the first period.
He stopped 29 of 29 shots to get the win in his NHL debut.
His first season with the Wild‘s AHL affiliate Houston Aeros was quite a ride that ended in the Calder Cup Finals.
10th year veteran center, Garth Murray(17) was originally signed by St. John’s IceCaps at the start of the 2011/2012 season to a pto. After a hot start by the team and showing good leadership with the group, he was recently upped to a standard player contract.
Originally drafted in the 3rd round of the 2001 draft (#79 overall) by New York Rangers, he’s spent played in 116 NHL games (8 goals, 2 assists).
He’s spent most of his career in the AHL with 5 different teams but did start last season in the ECHL with the defunct Victoria Salmon Kings but didn’t take long before he earned a call-up.
Pittsburgh Penguins‘ 1st pick in the 2009 draft (#30 overall) defenseman Simon Desprese(47) started his rookie season with their AHL affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
In 22 games, he has 3 goals and 4 assists and is a +3.
At 6’4″ 205 lbs. he’s bound to put on at least 15 more pounds of muscle in the next couple seasons to fill out his frame and overall game.
He received his first recall and had an assist in his NHL debut, a win vs. Washington Capitals.
He wears the same number 47 in the NHL as he does in the AHL.
5th year defenseman (his 3rd in the Islanders‘ system) Dylan Reese(2) is making the most of his 1st NHL call up of the 2011/2012 season.
He potted a flutterer from the point in his 2nd game with the team, which also turned out to be a win for the team.
Originally a 7th round pick by New York Rangers in 2003 (#209 overall), the Isles is the only team he’s played in the NHL with. He has just under 300 games of AHL experience with Bridgeport Sound Tigers (his current team), Syracuse Crunch, San Antonio Rampage and Hartford Wolf Pack.
He does have the ability to be an offensive threat from the point.
Philadelphia Flyers‘ 2008 3rd round pick (#67 overall) defenseman Marc-Andre Bourdon(3) is quietly enjoying his first four games in the NHL.
Just one season ago he played 5 games in the ECHL with Greenville Road Warriors. As a pro he’s spent more of his time guarding the blue line with their AHL affiliate Adirondack Phantoms.
He is on the third year or his entry level contract. It’s almost assured that they’ll qualify him for at least another year of service, unless he looks good enough out there to attract some attention.
As said, he’s quietly enjoying his first games in the NHL. The less people notice him out there = a good thing.
