Quad City Flames | CollegeHockeyPlayers

31May

Curtis McElhinney(30) Columbus Blue Jackets

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Entering his ninth pro season, 30-year old goaltender Curtis McElhinney(30) doesn’t have to worry about where he will play, as he signed a one-year, one-way extension to stay in Columbus Blue Jackets‘ system.

He had an outstanding regular season in 2012/2013 with an AHL record 9 shutouts and was named to the All-Star Game.

He also set a team and career best .923 SV% and was named MVP, while also posting his most saves in a season at 1349 and a 29-16-2-3 record in 49 games to help the Falcons win the Northeast Division title by 20 points.

Although the 6’2″ 209 lbs. net minder failed to score a recall, he could be in line for one next season, if he game continues to excel.

He has appeared in 69 NHL games with Phoenix, Ottawa, Anaheim and Calgary. He was originally a 6th round pick in 2002 (#176 overall) by the latter team. He made his most appearances in the show, 21 games with the Ducks just a couple of seasons ago.

He’s always seemed to fall under the radar for a real shot as a starting goalie in the show but also seems to have a stick-to-it-ive-ness that just won’t quit.

See related: 7/4-12

24May

Warren Peters(43) WBS Penguins

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Undrafted 10th year center Warren Peters(43) is the type of veteran skater you want on your team come playoff time for his on ice determination and game leadership he brings.

An unrestricted free agent after two seasons in the Minnesota Wild system, he signed a one-year two-way contract with Pittsburgh Penguins that’s seen him contribute with all the aforementioned qualities during the regular season, but in the postseason with AHL affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins it’s on a whole other level. It’s also good reason for him to wear an assistant captain “A” on his sweater.

The 6’1″ 209 lbs. forward has made it to Calder Cup Finals in two of the last three seasons, first with Texas Stars and followed it up with Houston Aeros.

He’s appeared in 96 NHL with 3 different teams in each of the last four seasons (4 goals, 4 assists) and only likely didn’t receive a recall this season due to the shortened campaign.

As a player that started his career in the ECHL and even spent his entire sophomore season in the league during the other most recent lockout, we can appreciate the fact that he’s worked his way up to the show with lots of hard play and persistence.

The 30-year old is back on the market this summer but chances are the Penguins will offer him a one-year extension.

04Feb

David van der Gulick(7) Colorado Avalanche

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7th year left wing David van der Gulik(7) has received NHL call-ups in his last three pro seasons through his current team of contract, Colorado Avalanche. He also played 6 games for Calgary Flames, who picked him deep in the 7th round of the 2002 draft (#206 overall).

In 38 games he’s managed to connect for a pair of goals and 9 assists and skated in a career high 25 big league contests last season.

Although not an overly large player, at 5’11” 185 lbs. he has always managed to stay accountable on ice with a +7 rating.

He’s signed to a one-year, two-way deal, his third with the Avalanche; and at 29-years old his game continues to show improvement and there’s little reason to think that they will let him slide to another team anytime soon.

In 39 AHL games this season with affiliate Lake Erie Monsters he has 12 goals and 13 assists. He has 463 total regular season and playoff games to his credit, scoring 107 times and dishing 143 helpers.

He recently got his first recall of the lockout shortened campaign and once again had valuable contributions in the 3-1 despite playing only 7 minutes and 31 seconds. With injuries seemingly piling up, he could be in for an extended stay.

04Sep

Kyle Greentree(37) Medvescak Zagreb

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6th year undrafted left wing Kyle Greentree(37) hops over to skate in Austrian pro hockey for 2012/2013 with Medvescak Zagreb after two successful seasons with Hershey Bears. He was signed for a couple of years at the beginning of 2010 by Washington Capitals but appeared in no NHL games with the team.

The 6’3″ 212 lbs. forward has skated in four games, a pair apiece with Philadelphia Flyers, the first team he signed with and then with Calgary Flames, during his best offensive year with Quad City Flames. He failed to register a point in either visit. Interesting enough though he managed to be exchanged from one team to another and onto a third in trades.

The 28-year old is probably making a wise move and will likely be able to exited the fans of the game overseas.

30Jul

Matt Pelech(23) San Jose Sharks

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6th year, former Calgary Flames‘ 1st round pick in the 2005 draft (#26 overall) redwood tree tall defenseman Matt Pelech(23) re-signed for another 0ne-year, two-way deal for 2012/2013 with San Jose Sharks that will likely see him skating mostly with their AHL affiliate Worcester Sharks, where he spent all of last season.

The 6’4 235 lbs. menacing blue liner played in 59 games with 1 goal and 8 assists. He was sometimes sent out there as a forward in certain games when they were short up front. That may have been how he got his goal.

He’s appeared in 269 regular season and 13 Calder Cup Playoff games, mostly in his first four years with the Flames‘ affiliate Quad City Flames, then Abbotsford Heat.

Last in the 2008/2009 season he was recalled for his only 5 NHL games. The almost extraordinary part is that he notched 3 assists and even a +1 plus/minus.

But that was it. Not another even toe dip on the ice in the show.

The soon-to-be 25 year old does have a bit of an awkward, seemingly almost off balance skating style but he’s such a big dude that some skating coach should work with that and turn him into a machine. He can obviously throw down some punches when necessary; he had 168 pims that included 16 fights in 2011/2012.

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.

17Dec

Leland Irving(37) Calgary Flames

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After 4 years in Calgary Flames‘ system, 2006 1st round pick (#26 overall) goaltender Leland Irving(37) got the call-up and played probably as well as you can in his debut 3-2 shootout loss. He backstopped 39 of 41 shots in regulation posting a 1.85 GA and .951 SV%.

He has always been pretty steady between the pipes in 143 AHL appearances with their affiliate Abbotsford Heat. Last season he played in 61 games for the team. In 23 games this season he’s already posted a pretty handy 15 wins, 7 losses record.

In the offseason he only signed for one more year with the Flames after his 3-year entry level contract expired.

He wears the same number 37 in both leagues.

18Oct

Brett Sutter(14) Carolina Hurricanes

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In a bit of a surprising move, Carolina Hurricanes recalled their minor league affiliate Charlotte Checkers‘ team captain Brett Sutter(14) to fill-in.

He has yet to record a point in four AHL games but is said to been great in the NHL training camp and in his fifth pro season has emerged as a leader. He also switched his jersey number from 14 to 7 this year.

In 19 NHL games he has just 1 goal and 1 assist. Adding to those totals will go a long way to help him make the jump more permanently.

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.