Tagged: Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees

12Jan

Michael Wilson(36) Worcester Sharks

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5th year, undrafted defenseman Michael Wilson(36) has come full circle in his short pro hockey career.

Originally signed to an AHL contract with Worcester Sharks for his first two years, he split time in his rookie season with their then ECHL affiliate Phoenix Roadrunners before spending the next campaign fully in central MA.

The 6’1″ 194 lbs. puck-moving d-man signed the following season with Victoria Salmon Kings for what would be the team’s final swim upstream, as they were disbanded in favor of a junior hockey franchise.

Once again in what has become familiar terrority: unrestricted free agent status, he inked a deal that would land him overseas skating for Starbulls Rosenheim in the German tier 2 league. That move lasted less than 20 games as he returned to North America to play the second half of the season in the Central Hockey League with another team that was en route to exit from existence, Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees. They also decided to rebrand under a junior hockey flag.

The 25-year old signed his most current contract with the newly introduced ECHL Orlando Solar Bears near the start of 2012/2013. In 36 games, he has a pair of goals and 21 assists, which puts him on pace to have personal bests in assists and scoring for a single season.

Signed to a pto with Worcester, in his first game back he had the helper on the overtime game-winning goal.

Michael Wilson

 

29Dec

Dan Gendur(9) Orlando Solar Bears

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5th year unrestricted right wing Dan Gendur(9) started the 2012/2013 season with an invite to participate in Springfield Falcons‘ AHL training camp.

Originally a Vancouver Canucks‘ 7th round pick in the 2007 draft (#206 overall) he has some experience in the league with 20 games played but only a goal and an assist to show for it.

The 5’11” 190 lbs. forward spent most of the last two seasons in the Central Hockey League with the now extinct Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees, where in 2011/2012 he posted 28 goals and 45 assists for 73 points in 62 regular season appearances, all career highs and good enough for top ten scoring in the league.

He was originally signed to a three-year entry level deal that expired as an unrestricted free agent with Nashville Predators in 2011 after being involved in a minor league deal.

 

The 25-year inked a deal with Evansville IceMen in the offseason to join the team for their inaugural season in the ECHL, moving up from the CHL to the better AA league, where he had played during his first two pro campaigns. In 14 games he tallied 4 goals and 3 assists.

But found himself to be involved in another trade that dished him and a teammate to another first season team, Orlando Solar Bears, where he currently resides and has posted 6 goals and 3 assists in 10 contests.

The winger put up 5 of those points (4 goals and an assist) in one game (12/28).

Dan Gendur

 

 

05Jul

Evan Rankin(15) Rochester Americans

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evan-rankin

Undrafted, 5th year pro, right winger Evan Rankin(15) spent more time in the AHL this season with Rochester Americans than he did in a lower league.

He spent his most of his first three campaigns almost entirely in the ECHL or the CHL, where he played in his rookie year.

Called up in late November, he signed to a pto and never looked back.

By early March, the 6’1″ 196 lbs. forward inked an spc to finish out 2011/2012 with the team.

He arguably ended up having a career year scoring 15 goals and adding 14 assists in 35 games.

His time in the penalty box much was limited as well with 12 pims and he’s accountable +9 plus/minus.

For 2012/2013, he was rewarded with an AHL contract to return to the Amerks.

This 26-year old could be a late bloomer.

We love this moment from his personal life that’s made it’s way to youtube. masterful.