NHL draft pick | CollegeHockeyPlayers

11May

Matt Fraser (25)

Posted in NHL | Leave a comment

Boston Bruins‘ 3rd year right wing Matt Fraser(25) accomplishes scoring an overtime game-winner in the NHL and in the AHL (for minor league affiliate Providence Bruins) in the same postseason, a first in hockey history.

The undrafted forward was signed to a one-year extension making it three straight seasons in Dallas Stars‘ prospect system, but only a week or so later found himself tied as a spare part in a 7-player deal that sent him east.

The bigger than he looks at 6’2″ 209 lbs. forward added an assist in his second Stanley Cup playoff appearance.

The almost 24-year is old is set to become a restricted free agent for the second time in his pro career but it would be zero surprise to see Boston tie him up for a couple more campaigns.

See related: 2/26-13

05May

Tyler Biggs(22) Toronto Marlies

Posted in AHL, NHL | Leave a comment

Toronto Maple Leafs‘ 1st round pick in the 2011 draft (#22 overall) right wing Tyler Biggs(22) must have been antsy to turn pro as he lasted only one season after his selection at Miami University before signing his 3-year entry level deal.

He started his ascent in US National development hockey programs, where he won back-to-back gold medals and was named team captain in his second year.

The 6’3″ 224 lbs. forward went on to skate one campaign in the OHL with Oshawa Generals, but was already under contract on a slide, so the wheels were in place for him to make the jump.

He joined minor league affiliate Toronto Marlies at the end of 2012/2013 and notched his first goal.

Reassigned out of training camp to start his rookie season in the AHL, he hasn’t exactly exploded on the score sheet with only 7 goals and 2 assists in 57 games.

The big, rugged winger seems to be experiencing some growing pains adjusting his game to the next level and has even found himself up in the stands watching for most of the Calder Cup Playoffs.

It’s a bit of a wonder if the parent club will continue to work with their prospect or if he’ll be packaged in an off-season trade to get some proven talent to help them make the 2014/2015 NHL playoffs.

03May

Kent Huskins(29) Utica Comets

Posted in AHL, NHL | Leave a comment

13-year veteran defenseman Kent Huskins(29) signed an AHL contract to join Utica Comets a month into the 2013/2014 season.

Possibly looking for a new NHL suitor after splitting less than 20 games the previous year with Detroit Red Wings then Philadelphia Flyers, it’s possible he saw a possible opening in the parent club to influence his decision to sign a minor league deal.

He appeared in 65 games with the expansion central New York club adding another 10 points to his league totals (473-33-101-134). He also owns a +33 rating.

The big 6’4″ 205 lbs. blue liner has also skated in 318 contests in the show putting up just 13 goals and 55 assists, but his stay-at-home style and strong defense of his own zone gives him a highly accountable +46 plus/minus.

It took him 5 years of trolling with farm teams before he received his first opportunity to play at the highest level but from there he spent six straight seasons on top.

Not bad for a player that was originally a Chicago Blackhawks‘ 6th round pick in the 1998 draft (#156 overall).

The almost 35-year old could either stay put or try his hand elsewhere but is probably happy earning a decent payday playing pro hockey.

He won a Stanley Cup Championship in 2007 as a member of Anaheim Ducks.

28Apr

Andrew Bodnarchuk (7)

Posted in NHL | Leave a comment

Los Angeles Kings‘ 6th year defenseman Andrew Bodnarchuk(7) was the AHL plus/minus leader at the end of the 2013/2014 regular season with a mighty +43 rating.

He also posted career high numbers with 8 goals and 24 assists for 32 points and had a new record mark of 129 shots on net.

The 5’11” 190 lbs. d-man is considered somewhat small but plays with plenty of snarl and a gritty edge that’s fully effective in all three zones.

He signed a two-year extension heading into the current campaign after coming off a successful first season with affiliate Manchester Monarchs.

Previously he spent his initial four campaigns in the Boston Bruins‘ organization, mostly with Providence Bruins.

He’d only played in 5 NHL games with no points and a -2 rating.

The 25-year old has already appeared in an eye-popping 412 minor league contests and with plenty of determination seems like he could find his way into a bottom six role at some point.

27Apr

Stuart Percy(10) Toronto Marlies

Posted in AHL, NHL | Leave a comment

Toronto Maple Leafs‘ 1st round pick in the 2011 draft (#25 overall) defenseman Stuart Percy(10) skated his first full season of pro hockey with minor league affiliate Toronto Marlies.

His 4 goals and 21 assists for 25 points in 71 AHL games were good enough for 2nd in scoring amongst blue liners.

He was always able to put up decent helper numbers through 4 seasons of junior hockey play with Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors, which fortunately carried over nicely to his rookie campaign.

The 6’1″ 193 lbs. d-man signed a 3-year entry level deal, including two slide seasons that will keep him in the system through 2015/2016.

He played in regular season and postseason games with the farm team at the end of 2012 and 2013 and is currently looking to help the Marlies go deep in the Calder Cup Playoffs.

The almost 21-year old already participated in three training camps with the parent club and will definitely be competing for an NHL roster spot for his sophomore season.

26Apr

David Kolomatis(39) Hershey Bears

Posted in AHL, NHL | Leave a comment

5th year defenseman David Kolomatis(39) has put up virtually identical numbers, almost 30 points in each of his AHL pro seasons but in this campaign, under a new one-year two-way deal with Washington Capitals, had a slight uptick in assists and overall points to post career bests.

In only 61 games on a veteran heavy Hershey Bears‘ roster he pocketed 7 goals and 23 assists, giving him his first 30.

Originally a Los Angeles Kings‘ 5th round pick in the 2009 draft *#126 overall), he spent the first four years skating in the minor league system with Manchester Monarchs.

He was a fairly dependable staple on their blue line.

The not incredibly huge 5’11” 195 lbs. d-man has yet to be given his shot at NHL playing time and it’s a wonder if his current team of contract will keep him around as the 25-year old is unrestricted free agent.

If given a shot, he may well be one of these guys that quietly steps it up and fits right in.

25Apr

Alan Quine(22) Stockton Thunder

Posted in AHL, ECHL, NHL | Leave a comment

New York Islanders‘ 6th round pick in the 2013 draft (#166 overall) rookie left wing Alan Quine(22) was ready to sign his three-year entry level contract and turn pro immediately upon being selected a second time.

He was originally a Detroit Red Wings‘ 3rd round pick in 2011 (#85 overall) but was left to go back into the pool.

He did however appear in training camp and skated three games at the end of 2012 with Grand Rapids Griffins but somewhere along the line they lost interest.

No worries, he put up some nifty rookie season numbers in the AHL with Bridgeport Sound Tigers, scoring 9 goals and 18 assists. On the downside, he was a -24 but matters deteriorated on a number of occasions through the 61 games he suited up for.

Reassigned near the end of his first season, he was sent down to join ECHL affiliate Stockton Thunder for 7 games, which was enough to keep him skating into the postseason.

The 5’11” 190 lbs. forward produced at a point-per-game clip in the lower league, getting 2 goals and half a dozen helpers in 7 games.

He only has one tally in 3 Kelly Cup Playoff games but he’s on a team that looks to go deep and will very likely add more points to that start.

2014/2015 will be an important season that should help better define the type of player the still young 21-year old will become.

24Apr

Andrew Joudrey(24) Springfield Falcons

Posted in AHL | Leave a comment

Springfield Falcons‘ 7th year center Andrew Joudrey(24) is coming off his most productive, third season with the team.

He recorded new career highs with 20 assists and 32 points; good enough to tie his regular season mark for helpers and second most overall total.

The not exactly huge 5’11” 185 lbs. forward, previously noted for his assistant captain, leadership qualities more than his ability to connect on the score sheet, signed his first non-NHL contract, a one-year deal for 2013/2014.

He’s only ever skated a single game with Columbus Blue Jackets in the show.

He won an NCAA Championship with University Of Wisconsin in 2006 and a pair of back-to-back 2009 and 2010 Calder Cup Titles with Hershey Bears.

The 29-year old scored the overtime, winning goal in the first game of the AHL Eastern Conference Calder Cup Quarterfinals and could very well also be on his way to new postseason personal bests.

Where he will end up next is anyone’s guess, but he could easily signed for another couple seasons to stick where he is.

23Apr

Nicklas Jensen(17) Utica Comets

Posted in AHL, NHL | Leave a comment

Vancouver Canucks‘ 1st round pick in the 2011 draft (#29 overall) Danish-born rookie right wing Nicklas Jensen(17) is off and flying start in his first full season of North American pro hockey.

He suited up for 17 NHL games with the parent club, scoring 3 goals and 3 assists with a -1 rating on a team that struggled to find chemistry through most of 2013/2014.

In 54 AHL contests with affiliate Utica Comets, the sizable 6’3″ but skinny 186 lbs. forward produced a tidy 15 goals and 6 assists in his first season in the minors.

He started was signed as an 18-year old to a 3-year entry level contract but in the first of two-entry level slides went back to his junior club, Oshawa Generals and then started the next season in the SHL with AIK before joining their minor league team Chicago Wolves for the remainder of 2012/2013.

It’s unlikely he’ll return to the farm team for any more extended periods of time but if his numbers or play slips up in the show, he may find himself on reassignment as a wake-up call.

Odds are that he’ll stick and will be contributing big-time in his sophomore campaign.

15Apr

William Karlsson(22) Norfolk Admirals

Posted in AHL, NHL | Leave a comment

Anaheim Ducks‘ 2nd round pick in the 2011 draft (#53 overall), Swedish-born center William Karlsson(22) already has 4 seasons of pro hockey in his home country, including the last pair in the SHL with HV71.

He scored 19 goals with 46 assists in 105 games and previously played 60 contests as a teenager in the tier 2 league, Allsvenskan.

The 6′ 180 lbs. forward was a point-per-game guy with a +25 rating in 2011/2012 for Västerås.

Signing his 3-year entry level deal for the current campaign, he was loaned by the parent club to skate one more season in Sweden.

With their playoff elimination, he was recalled to join minor league affiliate Norfolk Admirals.

In 6 AHL games he has his first North American pro hockey goal and a 3 assists, while playing a hard-working, highly skilled style.

At 21-years old he’ll most definitely be competing for a NHL roster spot for his official rookie year, 2014/2015.