Ontario Reign | CollegeHockeyPlayers

09May

Alex Bourret(22) Wichita Thunder

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Wichita Thunder 6th year right wing Alex Bourret(22) was originally an Atlanta Thrashers‘ 1st round pick in the 2005 draft (#16 overall).

He started his pro career playing 168 AHL games with a few different teams, a couple of trades later.

By his fourth year, he seemed to burn out or something because he went off the pro map playing a couple of games in the LNAH, 16 in the Czech Elite League and even 16 in the Asian Hockey League but each of the last two seasons also kept a toe-hold in North American hockey with a couple of teams in the ECHL.

For 2011/2012 season, he signed with the Thunder of the Central Hockey League and tore it up with 57 points (20 goals, 37 assists) in 43 games and a mighty +20 plus/minus.

The 5’10” 205 lbs. 25-year old forward was called up for 6 games with Worcester Sharks this season and chipped in with 3 helpers. It was his first action in the A since 2009.

By all indications he should be playing in higher league. He helped Wichita to the Ray Miron President’s Cup Finals but was injured and limited to 14 games (5 goals, 9 assists).

29Apr

Dustin Tokarski(34) & Martin Jones(31)

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Norfolk Admirals‘ 3rd year goalie Dustin Tokarski(34) and Manchester Monarchs‘ 2nd year net minder Martin Jones(31) exchange handshakes at the conclusion of their AHL Calder Cup Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.

Jones sat his first playoff game of the series but was the goaltender on record for the previous three contests, including a Monarchs‘ 5-2 win in game 2, the Admirals‘ 1st loss after 29 straight victories that started back on February 10. Almost appears like Tokarski is giving him a nod with the shake for that win.

The 22-year old Tokarski has one more year left on his 3-year entry level contract. It’s very possible that the 5’11” 198 lbs. backstop could compete for the starter job with Tampa Bay Lightning next season. He showed flashes of brilliance in 5 games in 2011/2012, despite only one win.

12Apr

J.D. Watt(10) Ontario Reign

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4th year pro, right wing J.D. Watt(10) signed an AHL contract with Manchester Monarchs‘ for the 2011/2012 season after opting out of his one-year deal with Calgary Flames.

He was originally a Flames‘ 4th round pick in 2005 (#111 overall) and played 139 AHL games with their affiliates in Quad City then Abbotsford Heat before leaving.

Starting the season with the Monarchs‘ ECHL affiliate Ontario Reign he was recalled three times and played 19 games scoring a goal to go along with a pair of helpers.

He was most recently reassigned to the ECHL again to help out in the Reign‘s Kelly Cup Playoff push. They did get to game 5 before losing in that decisive matchup.

He will likely be recalled unless the Monarchs wait to see how their final weekend unfolds as they are in a battle for their playoff lives. The 24-year has been mostly a 4th line energy forward throughout his playing career.

20Feb

Dwight King(21) Los Angeles Kings

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Los Angeles Kings‘ 4th round pick in the 2007 draft (#109 overall) forward Dwight King(21) got his first NHL goal on the same night as his roommate and teammate Jordan Nolan did. He even got another point, an assist on his friend’s tally, which proved to be the game-winner.

Both players were simultaneously recalled from their AHL team, Manchester Monarchs and have now appeared in four games with the parent club.

King had skated in 6 games for L.A. last season but didn’t register any points.

He’s in the final year of his entry level contract.

13Feb

Jordan Nolan(44) Los Angeles Kings

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In his 2nd ever game, 2nd year center Jordan Nolan(44) popped in his first career NHL goal, the game-winner, in Los Angeles Kings‘ Sunday afternoon win. Welcome to the big league!

He was originally a 7th round pick in the 2009 draft (#186 overall) and this season in 40 AHL games with Manchester Monarchs has already reached career highs for goals, assists, points and penalty minutes in half the amount of time in his 2nd season with the team.

The 22-year old is a big kid at 6’3″ 227 lbs. but is still growing his game into that sized frame.

He comes from some pretty good hockey pedigree: his dad is Ted Nolan.

15Nov

Andrei Loktionov(48) and Slava Voynov(76) Los Angeles Kings

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Did you hear the one about the two Russians?

Within a day of each other both Manchester Monarchs‘ center Andrei Loktionov(48) and defenseman Slava Voynov(76) were called out west by the parent club, Los Angeles Kings.

Voynov is headed back to the show after an impressive first 5 games (2 goals, 1 assist) last month.

Loktionov was first reassigned to Ontario Reign of the ECHL but that was purely a stopover before the team confirmed they would need him. He’s up for his first time this season. Last year he played in 19 games posting 4 goals and 3 assists.

05Sep

Jon Rheault(26) Calgary Flames / Abbotsford Heat

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5th round 2006 Flyers draft pick (#145 overall) Jon Rheault(26) may have found his niche in Calgary Flames organization. Last season was a breakthrough year for the 4th year pro with their AHL affiliate Abbotford Heat (34 points, 12 goals & 22 assists) in 79 games and really being on the cusp of getting a call-up but heard that it was more of a numbers game than anything keeping him from his NHL debut. I expect him to get his first action in the show with Calgary, if not this season than next for the 25-year old.

He played his college hockey at Providence College from 2004-2008.

05Sep

Patrick Mullen(14) Manchester Monarchs

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3rd year defensemen Patrick Mullen(14) accepted the one-year, two-way qualifying offer to stay in the Los Angeles Kings‘ system for another year.

He’s spent the first two years of his pro career with their AHL affiliate, Manchester Monarchs with last season as a bit of a breakout season for the undrafted 2009 signing

He picked up 20 points (3 goals, 17 assists) in 67 games played and made an appearance in all 7 postseason games for the team.

If he can continue on this path, look for him to score a NHL call-up maybe even in the 2011/2012 season.

01Sep

Dylan Yeo(29) Ontario Reign / Hershey Bears

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Defenseman Dylan Yeo(29) signed a deal with Ontario Reign for the 2011/2012 season, his 5th pro year.

For the past two seasons he was under a two-way contract with Hershey Bears. Last year’s 27 games with the team on call-up from South Carolina Stingrays were career highs for games played and points (1 goal, 5 assists). He started his pro career with Manitoba Moose/Victoria Salmon Kings spending two years with them.

By joining the Reign, it’s likely he sees a possible opening in Manchester to fill.

26Aug

Derek Couture(21) Ontario Reign / Connecticut Whale / Victoria Salmon Kings

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7th year veteran Derek Couture(21) recently signed a contract to play with the Ontario Reign of the ECHL for the upcoming season.

Throughout his pro career he’s spent most of his playing time in the AHL. But like last season with Victoria Salmon Kings he inked a deal to start the year in the ECHL until he was called-up to Connecticut Whale half way through the season. It was his 2nd straight campaign in Hartford, except in 2009/2010 he had an AHL contract.

He’ll probably experience the same scenario but I wouldn’t be surprised if the team that comes knocking with a pto will be Manchester Monarchs, the Reign‘s affiliate.