Pittsburgh Penguins | CollegeHockeyPlayers

10Apr

Steve MacIntyre(33) WBS Penguins

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10th year veteran tough guy at a mere 6’5″ 250 lbs. Steve MacIntyre(33) most definitely didn’t take the easy way to the NHL but has made his mark in the league through 90 games.

His “pro” career started in a Continental Elite Hockey League (CEHL) and made its way through, surviving the QSPHL (LNAH), WHA2, UHL and ECHL.

Undrafted, he always played a game of hard knocks totaling over 200 penalty minutes in each of his first 6 seasons. It should be noted he hasn’t come close to that much time spent in the box since 2008.

The season that followed saw him skate his first NHL games with Edmonton, a team he would spend most of the next three seasons with.

For 2011/2012 he was signed by Pittsburgh Penguins and has split time with their AHL affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. He was recently recalled for their last game of the regular season to keep the peace in a game vs. Philadelphia Flyers before being reassigned again.

There’s little doubt he will police the ice for the Baby Pens in their quest for the Calder Cup.

It’s a wonder where the 31-year old will end up playing next season, if he’ll stay in Steel City or move on.

11Mar

Brett Sterling (9)

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6th year left wing Brett Sterling(9) slides over to Portland Pirates from Peoria Rivermen as collateral in the Patrick O’Sullivan deal.

Originally Atlanta Thrashers‘ 5th round pick in the 2003 draft (#145 overall), he has played a scant 30 NHL games with a few different teams, including four games with St. Louis Blues this season registering no points.

His career totals are 5 goals and 4 assists but what’s sort of puzzling is in 7 games with Pittsburgh Penguins a couple of seasons ago he had 3 goals and a pair of assists but they had no interest in re-signing him.

He’s played 376 AHL games and scored 195 goals and 149 assists.

The head scratching part of this player swap is Portland is a small team to begin with and at 5’7″ 175 lbs. it’s not like he’s the most intimidating guy on the ice, but he can score goals and that makes him dangerous.

Tough to say which team gets the best of this deal.

27Feb

Brad Thiessen (39)

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3rd year undrafted Pittsburgh Penguins‘ goaltender Brad Thiessen(39) received his 1st NHL start after putting up impressive numbers with affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

Originally signed to a 2-year entry level deal with Pittsburgh, he’s played 126 AHL regular season and Calder Cup Playoff games waiting his turn in what has turned out to be a glut of good goalies in their system.

In his debut, a 4-2 win, he saved 22 of 24 shots for a 2.00 GAA and .917 SV%.

It’s another one of the success stories as he was never drafted and played parts of his rookie season in the ECHL with Wheeling Nailers, 12 games, 8-3 record.

He could be in line to be the team’s NHL back-up for 2012/2013, but will need another contract in the meantime.

07Feb

Erik Christensen(40) Minnesota Wild

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It had been only a couple of seasons since 8th year center Erik Christiansen(40) played in the AHL, but before that it had been a few years when he appeared in 16 games with the affiliate of the team he was originally drafted and signed by, Pittsburgh Penguins (3rd round of 2002, #69 overall).

His only full season in the minors was his rookie campaign in 2004/2005, the year of the NHL lockout.

In his third season with New York Rangers, he came out of the gate slow and was eventually squeezed out of the lineup as the Blueshirts were looking for that right winning combination to click.

After many healthy scratches, he was finally demoted to Connecticut Whale on a “conditioning stint”.

In 5 games he scored a pair of goals and added an assist.

Looking to add some punch to their now struggling team, Minnesota Wild stepped in and gave up a prospect for some help up front they hope will pay immediate dividends.

He’s played 359 NHL games scoring 62 goals and 94 assists.

We shall see. . .

05Feb

Cal O’Reilly(36) Pittsburgh Penguins

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6th year pro center Cal O’Reilly(36) didn’t survive the waiver wire in his recent Phoenix Coyotes‘ NHL call-up from their AHL affiliate Portland Pirates and was grabbed as a depth player for the injury riddled Pittsburgh Penguins‘ offensive push.

In 108 NHL games he has 13 goals and 28 assists (he just got his first with his new team over the weekend).

He was originally a 5th round Nashville Predators‘ pick in the 2005 draft (#150 overall) and skated for five plus seasons with them and Milwaukee Admirals before being traded to Phoenix at the beginning of this year.

08Jan

Philip Samuelsson (5)

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Pittsburgh Penguins‘ 2nd round pick in the 2009 draft (#61 overall) defenseman Philip Samuelsson(5) played only a couple years of college hockey before turning pro.

Signed to a 3-year two-way entry level deal, he started the season in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton with their AHL affiliate.

In 33 games with the Baby Pens he has 1 goal and 7 assists, while going a +6 plus/minus.

His dad is former Stanley Cup Champion defenseman, Ulf Sammuelsson.

At 20 years old he’s already fairly big like his father at 6’3″ 198 lbs.

He’s also considered a stay at home defenseman, much like his dad’s rep was during his playing career.

04Jan

Luca Caputi(17) Syracuse Crunch

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In one of the most uncomfortable trade scenarios we’ve come across in a little while, 4th year pro Luca Caputi(17) was traded to the team that happened to be visiting his (former) home area that night, Syracuse Crunch.

Toronto Maple Leafs made a minor league trade with Anaheim Ducks that perpetuated this cruel joke.

What makes it worse is the player he was traded for Nicolas Dechamps(16) scored a goal in his debut for Toronto Marlies 2-0 victory over his new team.

A humorous aside from the trade, the two players also traded numbers assuming each other’s numbers for their new teams.

In 23 AHL games this season Caputi has 2 goals and 1 assist.

He has 35 games of NHL experience with the Maple Leafs and the team he was originally drafted by in the 4th round of 2007 (#111 overall) Pittsburgh Penguins. He has 3 goals and 6 assists to his credit.

Anaheim Ducks are slumping so badly that it’s almost certain he will see his 1st NHL call-up of the 2011/2012 season.

22Dec

Tim Wallace(36) New York Islanders

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6th year undrafted wing Tim Wallace(36) played his first five seasons in the Pittsburgh Penguins‘ system appearing in 24 NHL games (0 goals, 2 assists) but spent most of his time with their AHL affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, where he skated in 304 games, putting up 70 goals and 53 assists.

In the offseason he signed a new one-year, two-way deal with New York Islanders and in his first season with Bridgeport Sound Tigers was an alternate captain and the team’s leading scoring with 20 points (9 goals, 11 assists) when he was recalled.

He’s now played in 7 games with the Isles and has an assist but his first NHL goal still alludes him.

18Dec

Carl Sneep(4) and Benn Ferriero(21)

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A pair of ex-Boston College Eagles‘ teammates, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins‘ defenseman Carl Sneep(4) and Worcester Sharks‘ center Benn Ferriero(21) discuss old times together at the Conte Forum.

Pittsburgh Penguins‘ 2nd round pick in the 2006 draft (#32 overall) received his first NHL call-up in two seasons of play. In his first AHL season, he racked up 4 goals and 13 assists but was a monstrous +17 plus/minus. Through 27 games games, he has 9 assists this season and is a +6.

He had 16:19 of ice time, got an assist and was a +1 in his debut.

12/19: Sneep was reassigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pens.

11Dec

Jason Williams(18) Pittsburgh Penguins

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Since 2000, undrafted center Jason Williams(18) has played games in the NHL and he played his first of the 2011/2012 season with Pittsburgh Penguins in their win over New York Islanders. He skated for 11:28 minutes, took a tripping penalty and had a shot on net.

In 448 NHL games he has 93 goals and 132 assists with Detroit (7 seasons, including a Stanley Cup with them in 2002), Chicago, Atlanta, Columbus, Dallas and now with the Pens.

He has far less career games in the AHL numbering 210 at last check (77 goals, 113 assists = a point per game) and this season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins has 3 goals and 14 assists in 20 games.