Tagged: Niagara IceDogs

Brett Richie

Dallas Stars‘ 2nd round pick in the 2011 draft (#44 overall) 2nd year right wing Brett Richie(25) is making quite the argument to stay put on the hot-and-cold parent club after only a pair of games since his first recall.

In two team wins, the big 6’3″ 220 lbs. power forward scored his first NHL goal in his debut, then added another tally and an assist in his next appearance with a +4 rating.

Over the pair of games he was also credited with 4 shots on net, 8 hits, 1 takeaway, 1 giveaway and 2 takeaways in an average of 16 shifts and a conservative 11 minutes of ice time.

He has spent most of his playing time with the parent club’s affiliate Texas Stars, where in 90 AHL games he’s scored 33 goals and 33 assists with a monster +24 rating and has amassed a gargantuan 314 shots.

The 21-year old was also big part of the 2014 Calder Cup Championship and contributed another 7 goals and 4 assists in 13 games to the title.

Makes sense that he’s getting his opportunity now as he could be the spark plug the big league teams needs heading into the second half of the season.

andrew-agozzino

Lake Erie Monsters‘ undrafted rookie left wing Andrew Agozzino(11) signed a one-year AHL contract with the team to start his pro career.

He’s quickly put up 13 goals and 22 assists in 42 games, which ties him for the team lead in scoring.

He is also a big +15 plus/minus.

At 5’9″ 185 lbs., he’s fairly unassuming out there but obviously sees the ice well and can get the puck to another player for a scoring situation or put the biscuit in the basket on his own.

The under-sized forward consistently put up points in the OHL and was Niagara IceDogs‘ team captain in his last two and a half seasons (one as an over-ager).

He also led them in scoring for three straight campaigns.

The 21-year old did attend a St. Louis Blues‘ prospect camp and suited up for their minor league affiliate Peoria Rivermen at the end of 2010 but that situation failed to go any further.

He was also invited to a Tampa Bay Lightning development camp.

Look for him to score an NHL deal (likely of the two-way variety), maybe not with parent club Colorado Avalanche, but he should latch on with some big league club, especially if he continues to tear up the scoresheet.

He was chosen to participate in the upcoming AHL All-Star Game.

mark-visenten1

Phoenix Coyotes‘ 1st round pick in the 2010 draft (#27 overall), goalie Mark Visentin(29) was a force in net in his last two seasons in juniors. Of his many accomplishments: he posted a 2011/2012 league best 1.99 GAA in 42 games and had 10 shutouts, establishing a new OHL record. The netminder also helped his team to the playoff finals, which was the furthest Niagara IceDogs had ever been in the postseason and even scored a goal for himself. Ironically it was the previous season he was named goaltender of the year.

The 20-year old has appeared in a few Desert Dogs‘ prospect camps and was in-line to participate another NHL training camp until everything was put on hold.

He, along with every other eligible player, was reassigned to start his pro career in the AHL with their affiliate Portland Pirates.

The young 6’2″ 205 lbs. goaltender has struggled a bit out of the gate in the minors but seems like a very centered personality that should ultimately help the farm team excel as the season wears on.

Boston Bruins released defenseman Dougie Hamilton(53), their 2011 1st round draft pick back to his junior team, Niagara IceDogs of the OHL for the upcoming season.

He participated in all three camps (prospects, rookie and the main camp) with the team showing some sharp skating and both defensive and offensive abilities.

He’s a giant at 6’5″ but still needs to fill out his 193 lbs. frame to a playing weight in the 220 lbs. range for maximum effectiveness.

I have him pegged to be a punisher on defense much like Chris Pronger is.