Tagged: Red Deer Rebels

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Detroit Red Wings‘ 2nd round pick in the 2009 draft (#32 overall), 3rd year center Landon Ferraro(29) received his first NHL recall from farm club Grand Rapids Griffins in the final season of his entry level contract.

He skated 13 shifts for 9:45 total minutes on ice, including 1:45 of penalty kill time and :13 on the power play in a 3-2 regulation win over original 6 rivals Toronto Maple Leafs. He also registered a shot on net and left his debut with an even rating.

The 6′ 179 lbs. forward has skated in 190 regular season AHL games scoring 46 goals and 49 assists and added another 5 tallies and 11 helpers on the way to helping the Griffins secure the 2013 Calder Cup Championship.

He may not have the biggest power forward size but he plays a relentless skating style game that gives him scoring opportunities and causes opposing teams to cough up the puck.

The 22-year old son of former hockey great Ray Ferraro (21 years, 1258 games) is set to become a restricted free agent at the end of the current campaign.

It seems highly likely he’ll be qualified for another season in the prospect system or even re-upped for two additional seasons.

Original story: 3/19-14

He finished 2013/2014 playing 4 games for the parent club with no points and inked a one-year extension early into restricted free agency.

Even though he was one of the final cuts from training camp, he played almost the entire 2014/2015 campaign in the minors scoring a new career high 27 AHL goals before being recalled for the last three games of the regular season.

He pocketed his 1st NHL goal, then skated in 7 Stanley Cup Playoff match-ups.

Almost a bit oddly he didn’t return to the farm club for their Calder Cup push, because he would have to clear waivers, which was considered risky.

It took little time heading into the summer to re-up for another season and although the soon-to-be 24-year old may start his 5th term with Grand Rapids, he could grab a roster spot or receive a longer look in the show to prove what he can do.

Dallas Stars v Minnesota Wild

Minnesota Wild 1st round pick in the 2012 draft (#7 overall) defenseman Matt Dumba(55) has been on a wild ride to start his pro career but is starting to settle nicely now.

He started in 2013 with then affiliate Houston Aeros skating in three regular season contests and 5 in the playoffs.

The very tough, hard hitting 6′ 189 lbs. d-man with the rocket blast from the point made his NHL debut out of training camp and played 13 games on the roster until he was reassigned to join the Canadian National Team at the WJC, then subsequently sent back for his final year of junior hockey with Portland Winterhawks.

Once again he made the squad to start 2014/2015 but his game was a bit slow to materialize, so he was sent down to farm team Iowa Wild, where he spent the next six weeks skating hard, proving his abilities were ready to step up.

He was recalled but returned to the minors once again for a shorter stint.

In 20 AHL appearances he ended up getting 5 goals and 9 assists with a +2 rating and 39 shots on net and that was probably the last time he’ll be on the bus heading to games.

Justin Weller

Phoenix Coyotes‘ 4th round pick in the 2009 draft (#105 overall) defenseman Justin Weller(27) was assigned to the club’s double A affiliate Gwinnett Gladiators to start his second pro season.

He’s signed to a three year entry level deal, but failed to appear in the parent club’s training camp after prospect camp and reported to Portland Pirates‘ to skate in preseason games before recently getting cut. This is the final year of his contract.

At 6’2″ 205 lbs. he has fairly good size but has yet to crack even their AHL team’s roster.

In 65 ECHL games in his rookie season he scored a pair of goals and 9 assists with a +7 rating. He added another tally and a helper in 10 Kelly Cup Playoff contests.

The 22-year old played 5 years of junior hockey in the WHL with Red Deer Rebels but was never a big point producer, favoring maybe a bit more of a stay-at-home defensive style.

If he can shine in his sophomore campaign, he may still be left unqualified going into 2014/2015, but could find himself a nice home for hockey overseas or look to continue to climb the ladder through the minors in North America.