Texas Stars | CollegeHockeyPlayers

24Jul

Garrett Stafford(55) Washington Capitals

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Going into his 10th pro season, defenseman Garrett Stafford(55) signs a one-year, two-way deal with Washington Capitals that will almost definitely have him becoming captain or assistant for their AHL affiliate Hershey Bears.

The 32-year old has only ever appeared in 7 NHL games: a pair with the Red Wings, a pair with the Stars and 3 with the Coyotes.

On the AHL side of the coin though, he’s appeared in 653 regular and postseason games with 7 different teams and made it to the Finals once in 2010 with Texas Stars.

He had some really good years in minor hockey points-wise but now is looked upon for his leadership qualities to help guide the younger players in the system. The 6’1″ 207 lbs. blue liner was team captain for Hamilton Bulldogs last season.

No doubt after his playing days are done, he’ll be a great assistant coach to start.

He was originally undrafted and on the personal side of life, recently became a first time dad to a potential future hockey playing son.

18Jul

Sean Backman(16) New York Islanders

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New York Islanders‘ qualified and re-signed undrafted, 3rd year right wing Sean Backman(16) for another one-year, two-way deal.

The 5’8″ 165 lbs. forward skated in 66 AHL games last season with Bridgeport Sound Tigers putting up 7 goals and 11 assists, but was a rather terrible -11 on what was a fairly strong team.

He put up better numbers in his rookie campaign with Texas Stars, who were also a good team with a winning record.

The 26-year old was born only 30 minutes up the road in Connecticut and went to college about equal distance away from his current arena. Definitely must be nice to play his pro hockey so close to home and where he went to school but we’re sure the ultimate goal would be to be skating a little further south.

He has definitely shown the ability to find his way onto the scoresheet and digs for every second he’s on the ice.

09Jul

Mathieu Beaudoin(26) Hershey Bears

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6th year right wing Mathieu Beudoin(26) is set to join Hershey Bears for the 2012/2013 season. It will be his fifth AHL team in the last five years for the undrafted, 28-year old.

The 5’11” 190 lbs. forward is definitely capable of finding the back of the net with reasonable consistency but was injured for two months in the middle of last season with a dislocated thumb and couldn’t find the groove with Portland Pirates after reaching career highs in goals, assists and points in 2010/2011.

He was on the Texas Stars‘ team that went all the way to the Calder Cup Finals and lost to these very same Bears.

So, once again becoming an unrestricted free agent at the conclusion of the season after his one-year two-way deal with Phoenix C oyotes was up, the Bears wasted no time signing him to an AHL contract to fill the roster with more veteran leadership.

For the first time in recent memory, Hershey‘s team seems to be full of intangibles. It’s a bit of a wonder what type of season they’re going to have, which never happens.

05Jun

Brandon Segal(26) Norfolk Admirals

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9th year Norfolk Admirals‘ veteran right wing Brandon Segal(26) is the perfect old school presence the team needs on the ice and in the locker room to help stabilize the mostly young group of players as they continue their push for a first Calder Cup Championship in 12 AHL seasons.

He was obtained in a minor league deal back in February for his second stint with the organization. He skated in 91 games with them just a couple of year ago from 2008 – 2009.

The soon to be 29-year old has played in 454 regular and postseason games including a trip to the finals with the other Admirals, Milwaukee in 2006.

He has appeared in 102 NHL games (11 goals, 11 assists) with 4 different teams including making his first appearance and most recent with the same team, Tampa Bay Lightning. In 12 games with the Bolts he’s yet to tally on the scoresheet.

Originally a 4th round pick by Nashville Predators in the 2002 draft (#102 overall), it’s unclear at the moment what will be next for the as of July 1 soon to be unrestricted free agent.

05Mar

Shawn Weller(23) Texas Stars

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5th year right wing Shawn Weller(23) found himself in the uncomfortable scenario of getting traded from the first place St. John’s IceCaps in the AHL Eastern Conference to Texas Stars, who sit in last place of the Western Conference.

It was a deal that enabled some room for the IceCaps to pick up one of the Stars players on reassignment as some teams rework their lineups as the Calder Cup Playoffs approach.

He already had AHL career highs in points (24) and assists (14) and was heading towards his best year for goals (10 in 41 games) in a season as well.

Originally an Ottawa Senators‘ 3rd round pick in the 2004 draft (#77 overall), the 25-year old has consistently shown improved skating and puck handling abilities to go along with his average-sized 6’2″ 205 lbs. frame that he uses all of on the ice.

The move may land him another NHL deal and could put him in a big league game before too long.

28Jan

Aaron Gagnon (25)

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Originally a Phoenix Coyotes‘ 8th round pick in the 2004 draft (#240 overall), center Aaron Gagnon(25) got his first crack at the big league a couple of seasons ago, while under contract with Dallas Stars.

In 21 games over two seasons, he registered 0 goals and a pair of assists.

He mostly skated with their AHL affiliate Texas Stars and has played over 250 career games, picking up 57 goals and 78 assists with 4 different teams.

Winnipeg Jets signed him to a one-year, two-way contract just after free agency began.

In 33 games this season with St. John’s IceCaps he has 8 goals and 12 assists but as a 5th year pro plays with a sense of purpose and accountability out there.

He was recently call-up for his first taste of NHL this year but was quickly returned as the team went into a low period off for the All-Star break.

In the game, which all his IceCaps‘ teammates attended he skated 12 shifts for 8:38 of ice time and went a -1 plus/minus.