Norfolk Admirals | CollegeHockeyPlayers

08Jan

Colin Fraser(24) Chicago Wolves

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10th year veteran center Colin Fraser(24) signed a one-year two-way deal to join St. Louis Blues‘ organization after three seasons with Los Angeles Kings that saw him score a second 2012 Stanley Cup.

He won his first final hardware a couple of years earlier with Chicago Blackhawks and story has it even though he only appeared in 3 postseason contests still was granted his name engraved on the trophy.

You could even stretch it a bit and suggest he was part of a team that has won it all every other season for the last 6 years, as he skated with the Kings for 33 games, but was reassigned to the minor league affiliate Manchester Monarchs for the first time since 2008 with the intent of sending the soon to be unrestricted free agent on his way elsewhere.

And although he was only part of the practice squad for the 2014 run, he was still given his day with the Cup.

The 6’1″ 190 lbs. former Philadelphia Flyers‘ 3rd round pick in the 2003 draft (#69 overall) has played 359 NHL games scoring only 20 goals and 38 assists but given his track record of being around a championship, he has his upside.

He was recalled for a game recently raising his years of appearances in the highest hockey league to 9.

Used ultra sparingly with only 6 shifts and 4:42 total ice he did at least manage a shot on net, one hit and one break up play.

Where the 29-year old takes his game next is anyone’s guess but if he is even associated with another team that wins it, then you can be sure luck will give him yet another shot in the show.

12Nov

Mat Clark (2)

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Anaheim Ducks‘ 2nd round pick in the 2009 draft (#37 overall) tough guy defenseman Mat Clark(2) has skated in the prospect system for 5 seasons, originally signing a 3-year entry level deal and then given a pair of extensions.

The 6’3″ 225 lbs. blue liner played in two NHL games late in his sophomore campaign but has spent most of his time with now affiliate Norfolk Admirals and earlier Syracuse Crunch.

Shoulder surgery limited him to just 23 AHL games last season but the rugged d-man returned raring to go for 2014/2015.

Despite his in-your-face style game he hasn’t spent much time in the penalty box since his rookie year and rarely drops the gloves.

He was one of the final cuts to be reassigned from training camp and came out strong with the farm club getting two assists in his first 11 appearances, which matched last year’s limited time totals.

Through only two years of junior hockey in the OHL he definitely showed an ability to head man the puck and picked up 36 assists in his time with Brampton Battalion.

Recently recalled to the parent club, he skated 22 shifts playing a healthy 16:59 of total ice time, including 1:10 shorthanded minutes in the shootout loss.

Still only 24-years old, he’s filling in a spot due to injury but could find himself being groomed and ready for a full time spot, especially if he can continue to punish opponents.

See related: 4/4-12

06Nov

Brad Winchester(15) Norfolk Admirals

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Sizable 6’5″ 230 lbs. left wing Brad Winchester(15) signed his first minor league contract to play professional hockey in his 12th year of service.

The 33-year old inked late for a one year AHL deal with Norfolk Admirals. He was also invited to Anaheim Ducks‘ training camp to start ’14/’15 but was among the first to be released, despite having a strong showing.

He actually spent 19 regular season and 3 postseason games with them a few seasons ago amongst the many teams he’s skated for.

Originally an Edmonton Oilers‘ 2nd round pick in the 2000 draft (#35 overall), he played his first four years in their system including his first two stints with a pair of farm club Roadrunners, first Toronto then Edmonton.

It wasn’t until his fourth season that he became a regular in the show.

He’s appeared in 390 NHL games (mostly through three years with St. Louis Blues) scoring 37 goals, 31 assists and a monster -42 rating.

His last pair of campaigns have been exclusively in the minors and he seems fairly comfortable assuming the role of assistant captain.

He’s quite the poiny scorer in the league too at 96 goals and 81 assists in 319 games but still haunted by a horrible -32 plus/minus.

It remains to be seen if those on ice accountability numbers will improve but he’s off to a hot start with a first time reversed 3 goals and 4 assists in 9 games and a +1.

18Oct

Chris Wagner (21)

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Anaheim Ducks‘ 5th round pick in the 2010 draft (#122 overall), third year center Chris Wagner(21) is enjoying a quick start to his 2014/2015 campaign.

He notched his first career hat trick (including a pair of short-handed tallies and the game-winning goal) in minor league affiliate Norfolk Admirals‘ season opener and added another strike in his next game.

The 6’ 195 lbs. forward was named CCM Player Of The Week for his strong offensive outburst and recalled for his NHL debut.

He only skated 9 shifts for 4:10 of total ice time and 2 penalty minutes but is still up with the parent club so will get another crack at the ice.

In 148 AHL games he has 26 goals and 27 assists, setting high point marks in 2013/2014 (14-14-28 in a complete 76 game effort) but seemed to be waiting for the kind of point production he enjoyed in a pair of years at Colgate University and two seasons of American juniors in the EJHL.

The 23-year old is in the final season of his three-year entry level deal and trying to make it a no-brainer for an extension.

06Feb

Aaron Dell(29) Utah Grizzlies

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Utah Grizzlies‘ undrafted 2nd year net minder Aaron Dell(29) is giving his team a chance to win games every time he’s between the pipes.

He was loaned on a pair of occasions to higher level clubs, Norfolk Admirals and Manchester Monarchs but has yet to appear in an AHL game.

The 6′ 209 lbs. goalie won the 2013 Central Hockey League President’s Trophy backstopping Allen Americans to their first title in his rookie season. It’s not even like he posted these amazing numbers during the regular season or in his 19 starts through the playoffs, but they were good enough to get the job done and win the 12 games necessary to capture the title.

He was also awarded goaltender of the year for his regular season play.

No stranger to awards, his college hockey team, University Of North Dakota won three straight NCAA (WCHA) titles.

This season since his return, the 24-year old has appeared in 18 games and posted a tidy 13-4 record with a 2.08 GAA and .920 SV%. He has the team positioned to run deep in the Kelly Cup Playoffs.

The 24-year old will likely continue his climb and find himself under contract the next rung up for the 2014/2015 season.

05Feb

Stefan Warg (8)

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Anaheim Ducks‘ 5th round pick in the 2008 draft (#143 overall), sizable 6’3″ 220 lbs. Swedish-born defenseman Stefan Warg(8) heads back to his home country to play the remainder of the season with Skellefteå of the SHL.

Before signing a two-year entry level deal, he had already played three pro seasons in the lower Allsvenskan league after completing a pair of campaigns in the WHL.

There was definitely a buzz after last season’s performance with Västerås, where he put up 4 goals and 15 assists with a +21 rating in 52 games.

In his rookie season the 24-year old was mostly on the AHL roster with affiliate Norfolk Admirals but all too often a healthy scratch until injuries to the blue line basically forced the team to play him.

In 21 games he only had an assist playing a very conservative brand of defense that wasn’t always pretty to watch but had a good level of accountability.

Word has it that overall he was somewhat uncomfortable fitting in with the minor league American lifestyle and was going to be bought out of the remainder of his contract.

He moves back home with a new 2-year deal.

28Jan

John Kurtz(12) Norfolk Admirals

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Norfolk Admirals‘ undrafted 4th year, tough left wing John Kurtz(12) was rewarded last season with his first NHL contract from parent club Anaheim Ducks for his consistently edgy play in the minors with their affiliate clubs.

The 6’2″ 206 lbs. forward was further endorsed by the parent club as he received a one-year extension for 2014/2015.

He’s on pace this season to set AHL career highs in all categories, which may not put him tops on the team in scoring, but for a player that is looked to as protection for their more gifted scoring prospects it’s a nice increase.

Although he will likely spend the entire current campaign with the farm club, it appears he’s being readied for a recall to flex some muscle in the big league.

At only 24-years old he wears an “A” on his jersey serving as one of the alternate captains.

He was captain for his final pair of seasons in junior hockey with Sudbury Wolves, so proven leadership is an important part of his game.

02Jan

Max Friberg(14) Norfolk Admirals

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Anaheim Ducks‘ 6th round pick in the 2011 draft (#143 overall), Swedish-born left wing Max Friberg(14) is off to a nice start in his rookie season.

In 33 games with minor league affiliate Norfolk Admirals he has 9 goals and 9 assists with a +8 rating.

Signed to a three-year entry level deal in the offseason, he continued to play in his home country’s pro league, SHL for one more campaign before joining the Admirals for 6 contests, scoring his first tally, at the end of 2012/2013.

Listed at 5’11” 195 lbs., those measurements seem a bit generous. His speedy skating style and stick-handling abilities is definitely more akin to a smaller sized player.

He won a gold medal at the under 20 World Junior Championships, finished as scoring leader and was selected to the All-Star Team.

It seems unlikely with all the depth in the prospect system that he earns a call-up this season but he could easily work his way up to fill a roster spot next year, which is also the final year of his deal.

25Nov

Matt Beleskey(34) Anaheim Ducks

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Anaheim Ducks‘ 6th round pick in the 2006 draft (#112 overall), 6th year left wing Matt Beleskey(34) has skated the last couple of seasons exclusively in the NHL with the parent club but is no stranger to the minors.

He was recently reassigned to AHL affiliate Norfolk Admirals on a conditioning loan to rehab a broken thumb suffered at the start of the season, which was also when his brand new 2-year, one-way contract extension kicked in.

He’s appeared in 213 NHL games scoring 27 goals and 30 assists. His numbers in the lower league are similar but through only half the amount of games played.

The 6′ 200 lbs. forward spent only a few games down before being recalled but found the back of the net for a tally, which must have helped him some with his confidence, because as soon as he got back struck for his first goal of the new season and added a helper a couple of nights later.

He put up great numbers in his final season of junior hockey as captain with Belleville Bulls but is probably not expected to post 41 goals and 49 assists in 62 games anytime soon.

The 25-year old could use a breakout 20-point campaign to stay put in the show and could also be more accountable than his overall -23 rating. There’s little doubt he has the tools in his kit to stick.

21Nov

Brad Staubitz(16) Toronto Marlies

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Undrafted 9th year tough guy, right wing Brad Staubitz(16) has a one-way NHL deal for 2013/2014, but has been unable to find his spot on a roster. Signed to a 2-year contract with Anaheim Ducks, he was only played sparingly in the lockout shortened season and landed south with Norfolk Admirals to start the new campaign.

Disgruntled there after 7 AHL games, he was traded in hopes of finding a new start in Toronto Maple Leafs‘ organization but might have the same problem, few openings in the lineup and was reassigned to Toronto Marlies.

Never a player to mark up the score sheet with points, the 6’1″ 207 lbs. forward has never shied away from the rough stuff, amassing more than 100 penalty minutes in virtually every season and is strictly looked at as a fourth line energy source for a team.

It’s maybe a bit doubtful that the rugged winger will find another home in the show unless he reinvents his game some going into camp next season and catches the attention of a team in need of an enforcer.