Tagged: Providence College

Tim_SchallerBuffalo Sabres‘ undrafted 2nd season center Tim Schaller(59) is in the final year of his 2-year entry level deal.

The 6’2″ 209 lbs. power forward had an admirable first campaign scoring 11 goals and 7 assists in 72 AHL games playing exclusively with Rochester Americans.

He started his sophomore run once again on reassignment to the minors and went right to work.

In 29 games he’s already surpassed his assist mark by 3 and tied his point total from his rookie year.

His solid play was enough to earn him a first recall to the parent club, where he spent a pair of games without connecting before being sent back.

Continued consistency got him a second summons a month later and he made it count scoring his first NHL tally.

The 24-year old that spent four years at Providence College serving as their team captain in his junior and senior seasons is one of a few prospects from the farm club looking to earn a permanent spot in the big league.

Matt Taormina2Undrafted 6th year defenseman Matt Taormina(20) has definitely bounced around from team-to-team in the last few seasons.

For 2014/2015 he signs his first AHL contract joining Worcester Sharks, since turning pro with Lowell Devils in 2009.

As a rookie, coming of four seasons at Providence College, he had a hefty 40 helpers and 10 goals in 75 games.

The effort earned the small but accountable in his own end 5’10” 185 lbs. a two-year entry level deal with New Jersey Devils, where he spent the majority of the next two seasons.

An unrestricted free agent he tested the waters and signed for a year with Tampa Bay Lightning but found himself playing mostly with their minor league affiliate Syracuse Crunch. He was re-signed but once again was unable to crack the parent club’s roster, skating in only 7 NHL games with no points.

Then close to the trade deadline he was dealt in a farm team deal to Columbus Blue Jackets and reassigned to Springfield Falcons.

If the just turned 28-year old can find the scoring sheet like he did at the beginning of his career, he may find himself signing another big league contract.

See related: 12/17-11

Matt Bergland

Undrafted, 2nd year left wing signs on for another season with ECHL Stockton Thunder.

In his rookie campaign he skated in 59 games scoring 11 goals and 18 assists with a +6 rating. He added another 6 goals and 4 helpers in 22 playoff games all the way to the 2013 Kelly Cup Finals.

The 5’11” 181 lbs. forward doesn’t look like the biggest guy on the ice but he’s starting his pro career much the same way he did in his first season with Providence College Friars. He posted his best point totals as a first year guy but they continued to decline until graduating.

He’ll definitely be looking to avoid a sophomore slump but chances are the 23-year old will continue to step up his game.

Trenton Titans‘ 2nd year, undrafted defenseman Eric Baier(6) was recently called up to Providence Bruins for his first AHL stint of 2012/2013.

He’s played 23 games in the league with four different teams since finishing up his college career at nearby Providence College.

Although he only has an assist to his credit, the 6’2″ 210 lbs. blue liner has never light up the scoresheet and seems to be look at as more of a defensive zone specialist, although seems to be on the wrong end of plus/minus for the most part.

In 85 games with the Titans, the 24-year old has 6 goals and 17 assists on a team that has struggled to win games and keep pucks out of their net in the last couple of seasons, but as he continues to play and gain opportunities he will likely continue to settle his game.

Getting himself on a winning team couldn’t hurt either.

Eric Baier

 

 

 

 

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.