Tagged: Norfolk Admirals

17Sep

Mike Vernace(7) Tampa Bay Lightning / Norfolk Admirals

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I love stories like this one.  6th year pro, defenseman Mike Vernace(7) was a San Jose Sharks 7th round draft pick in 2004 (#201 overall) but never signed with the team. He eventually signed a one-year two-way deal with Colorado Avalanche and started his rookie season with Central Hockey League‘s Arizona Sundogs before moving up to the AHL with Albany River Rats.

He spent another couple of seasons in the Avalanche system and even got his first 12 NHL games under his belt in 2008-2009.

He wasn’t resigned for at the end of 2009 and signed with Atlanta Thrashers but didn’t appear in the NHL, although he played for two different AHL teams, first Chicago Wolves, then Hamilton Bulldogs, where he got his first playoff experience

Last year he signed a free agent deal with Tampa Bay Lightning, played 10 more games in the NHL and got an assist, his first point in the show.

In 2011/2012 he’ll be back for his second season in the Lightning system.

 

 

12Sep

Joel Martin(49) Herlev Hornets

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joel-martin2

9th year pro goalie Joel Martin(49) has bounced around many different North American leagues and teams in his career but for the first time he’s looking elsewhere, overseas to continue.

For the 2011/2012 season he signed with Herlev Hornets of AL-Bank Ligaen (Danish Pro Hockey League).

Last season, the 28-year old netminder appeared in a career high AHL games (18 with Bridgeport Sound Tigers).

He also played in 29 games with Odessa Jackalopes of the Central Hockey League and was called-up as an emergency back-up for one game with New York Islanders.

21Aug

Mike Sgroi(17) Evansville Icemen / Bridgeport Sound Tigers

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Central Hockey League‘s newest team, Evansville Icemen recently signed 6’5″ 235lbs of grit in Mike Sgroi(17) for the upcoming season.

A 12-year veteran, he usually finds himself playing for multiple minor league teams each season, either with call-ups or trades for his services. In 2008-2009, he played games for no less than 6 teams in the AHL and ECHL (Syracuse Crunch, Binghamton Senators, Norfolk Admirals, Johnstown Chiefs, Utah Grizzlies, Elmira Jackals).

Last season, seeming out of nowhere, he signed a pto with Bridgeport Sound Tigers and appeared in a couple of games at the end of the season registering no points and more surprisingly no penalty minutes.

 

11Aug

Cedrick Desjardins(30) Colorado Avalanche / Norfolk Admirals

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Cedrick Desjardins(30) was left out of Tampa Bay‘s plans for the future after one year with the organization.

He had a great season with Norfolk Admirals in the AHL and won both his starts with the Lightning.

Colorado signed him for 2011/2012 and he’ll challenge for the starting job or could give Lake Erie a nice boost in net.

He won the ECHL Kelly Cup with Cincinnati Cyclones in 2008.

 

10Aug

Mike Blunden(12) Montreal Canadiens

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mike-blunden

6th year pro (drafted in 2005, round 2 #43 overall by Chicago), right wing Mike Blunden(12) joins Montreal Canadiens‘ system for 2011/2012. He was traded in early July by Columbus for Ryan Russell, whose twin brother Kris Russell already plays for the Blue Jackets.

Blunden(12) has played 51 games in the NHL, registering only 4 points (2 goals, 2 assists). He likely be a contributor for the team’s AHL affiliate in Hamilton.

10/23: Blunden gets his 1st call-up by Montreal.