9th year undrafted Austrian-born defenseman Thomas Pock(22) has been on quite the journey in his playing career. He was a scoring stud in his final couple of seasons of college hockey that gained him the notice of New York Rangers, who plucked him fresh out of school and put him into action for 6 games to round out the 2003/2004 season. He managed a pair of goals and assists in the brief run.
The 6’1″ 210 lbs. blue liner played another 5 seasons in the Blueshirts‘ system but was unable to match the early offensive output in the higher league. The 2004/2005 lockout could have part of the blame sidetracking his development.
In the AHL he also struggled some to reignite that scoring touch but had a couple of really good seasons wrapped around his first full year in the NHL; maybe the pro blossoming was delayed.
He was once again going to be sent down to start his 6th campaign with the Rangers but their rivals across the river decided to give him a shot as part of their never-ending franchise rebuild process but he failed pretty miserably on a poorly performing New York Islanders‘ team.
With nowhere to go in the show, he turned his attention towards Sweden, first signing for a couple of seasons with Rapperswil of the NLA and then MODO.
He managed to kickstart his ability to land on the scoresheet to a degree and made the decision that it was time for another shot at the NHL. Colorado Avalanche took the bait and signed him for 2012/2013 to add some depth to their back line.
In 45 games with their AHL affiliate Lake Erie Monsters, he has 8 goals and 19 assists, while wearing the “A” for the team and helping the younger players with their game.
Very likely the now 31-year old will head back overseas to wrap up his playing career.