Trenton Devils | CollegeHockeyPlayers

19Nov

Josh Gratton(13) Manchester Monarchs

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Undrafted 12th year left wing Josh Gratton(13) spent the last four seasons playing mostly in the KHL with Barys Astana and Vityaz Podolsk. He only skated in 11 games last season.

Seeing only limited action in his last two seasons was possibly the impetus for him to return to North American pro hockey to see if at 32-years old he could earn himself a contract.

Invited to Manchester Monarchs‘ training camp, he proved himself worthy and was given a pto to start the 2014/2015 season.

13 games into the season he has one assist, a +1 rating, 36 penalty minutes and quickly accrued 6 fighting majors.

The 6’2″ 215 lbs. tough guy has skated in 247 AHL games scoring a modest 35 goals and 39 assists with an eye-popping 936 pims and dropped the gloves 102 times.

He’s also appeared in 86 NHL games for Arizona Coyotes and two stints with Philadelphia Flyers.

He won a Calder Cup Championship with Philadelphia Phantoms in the lockout year 2004/2005.

It remains to be seen whether or not he’s given an spc for this season but regardless, he’s making his presence felt.

25Aug

Jeff Frazee(31) Valpellice Bulldogs

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New Jersey Devils‘ 2nd round pick in the 2005 draft (#38 overall) goaltender Jeff Frazee(31) became an unrestricted free agent at the end 2012/2013.

He was originally signed to a 3-year entry level deal and extended for another couple of seasons but despite being recalled, practicing and serving as back-up, had only played in one NHL game with the parent club last season.

His time in the cage was brief at 19 minutes of playing time, only facing three shots but at the very least he blocked each one of them.

The 6′ 195 lbs. net minder has appeared in 187 AHL games with their minor league affiliates Lowell and Albany Devils posting a 3.02 GAA and .906 SV%. Almost ironically he had one of his best seasons in 2012/2013.

Entering his 6th pro season, the 26-year old signed a one-year deal to join the Italian Elite A League Valpellice Bulldogs.

He should be able to slam the door shut on his opponents, which will either potentially open the door to better league play overseas or another opportunity with a different club in North America.

See related: 10/20/10

11Aug

Ryan Hayes(18) Stockton Thunder

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Undrafted 3rd year right wing Ryan Hayes(18) played for three different ECHL teams last season after being involved in a pair of trades that eventually brought him to Stockton Thunder to finish out the remainder of 2012/2013.

And what a finish it was. In 12 games he scored 5 goals and added another 6 assists bringing his totals to 14-13-27 in 40, which was under what he put up in his rookie campaign but close and in 23 less games played.

Great marks all around for the only 5’9″ 185 lbs. forward but once it hit playoff hockey time he stepped his scoring output to the next level.

In 23 Kelly Cup postseason match-ups he was able to strike for 9 tallies and 15 helpers while going a +8, good enough for 2nd overall in scoring.

Those postseason numbers were in line with what he attained in 22 OHL playoff games with Plymouth Whalers (12-13-25).

Very smartly Stockton taps into his scoring performance for another season signing him to a one-year deal.

It won’t be surprising to see the 24-year old earn his first AHL call-up or appear in a higher league training camp.

29Sep

Kory Nagy(21) Trenton Titans

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New Jersey Devils‘ 5th round pick in the 2008 draft (#142 overall) left wing Kory Nagy(21) signed a 3-year entry level deal to start his pro career and ended up bouncing between their AHL and ECHL affiliates.

In his final season of the contract he skated the full year with Albany Devils playing in a career high 53 contests, scoring 4 goals and 4 assists but was not qualified an offer to stay with the organization.

For 2012/2013 he decided to stay in familiar territory, inking with Trenton Titans.

With the signing, the somewhat small-ish looking 5’11” 195 lbs., 22-year old forward will have the ability to be called up to any team in the higher league.

07Jun

Andy Thomas(38) Olimpija Ljubljana

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Former Washington Capitals‘ 4th round pick in the 2004 draft (#109 overall), defenseman Andy Thomas(38) leaves North American pro hockey to join Olimpija Ljubljana in the Austria Hockey League.

He initially signed a one-year entry level deal with Anaheim Ducks and was reassigned to their AHL and ECHL affiliates, Iowa Chops and Bakersfield Condors in his rookie season.

From there he was in the Devils‘ prospect system, spending most of the next 3 seasons with Trenton Titans/Devils appearing in 157 games, scoring 5 goals and 29 assists.

The 6’2′ 220 lbs. has also skated in 70 AHL (2 goals, 5 assists) with 6 teams, including 3 in 2011/2012 alone. He failed to hit the scoresheet though.

A move to European hockey may be the best move for him as he considered a veteran in the ECHL now and some new scenery is exactly what the 25-year might need.

07Apr

Jeff Prough(22) Connecticut Whale

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Undrafted forward Jeff Prough(22) played in 17 games this season on call-up to Connecticut Whale (the team he signed a one-year two-way deal with for 2011/2012) but as they were suffering some overcrowding for spots up front, he was reassigned to Greenville Road Warriors of the ECHL to see if he could put some life into their Kelly Cup Playoff postseason run, who were on the brink of opening round elimination.

He scored their first goal but unfortunately it wasn’t enough as they were overmatched and sent packing until 2012/2013.

He’s a point per game guy in the ECHL but the 25-year old, 5’10” 170 lbs. left winger has been less consistent in mostly a fourth line role in the AHL.

He will be back up with the Whale soon as he’s on their clear day roster for the Calder Cup Playoffs.

12Feb

David Caruso(35) Charlotte Checkers

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6th year undrafted goalie David Caruso(35) has played AHL games in 4 of his first 5 seasons and with his recent call-up and start in net for Charlotte Checkers he can make that 5 of 6.

He signed a contract with Trenton Titans, an organization he’s spent all of his career with (as the Devils), except his rookie year, which was with Gwinnett Gladiators with a single game with Chicago Wolves to start the run.

He has 52 games of AHL experience and 174 in the ECHL.

At almost 30 years old, it’s a bit of a wonder where netminding will take him next season.

18Jan

Brad Mills(17) New Jersey Devils

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5th year undrafted center Brad Mills(17) has only played in New Jersey Devils‘ system and appeared in games from the ECHL to the NHL.

He started the season on the opening night roster for New Jersey and spent 21 games with the team registering only an assist.

By late November, he was reassigned back to Albany. He had over 200 AHL games played through the 2011 season.

In 18 games, he got only a couple of goals and 5 assists never seeming to find his groove like he had for the last couple of years with Albany and Lowell Devils.

As the injuries pile up with the Devils, he gets called up to play in his 22 NHL game, a win. He skated 16 shifts for 11:07 of ice time. Unfortunately though, he went a -1.

29Oct

Harry Young(32) Kalamazoo Wings

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New Jersey Devils‘ 7th round pick in the 2008 draft (#202o overall) starts his second season as part of their prospects system with their new ECHL affiliate, Kalamazoo Wings.

Last season he played 52 games with Albany Devils and another 3 with Trenton.

He’s a large presence on the blue line standing at 6’4″ 225 lbs. Not known for putting up a lot of points on the scoresheet, he does however not back down when challenged by an opponent.

Look for him to be called up soon and in all likelihood play most of the season in Albany for a second straight season.

19Oct

Dave Leaderer(20) Milwaukee Admirals

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For the last couple of seasons, 4th year pro defenseman Dave Leaderer(20) has received call-ups to the AHL from his ECHL team, Trenton Devils. First it was with Milwaukee Admirals in 2009 and the next year he was called up within the system to Albany Devils for 5 games, where he registered his first point, an assist.

Leaving the Devils‘ nest after 212 games with Trenton, he signed for 2011/2012 with Cincinnati Cyclones, the affiliate of Milwaukee Admirals. He was called up today and will appear in his fourth game ever with the team this weekend. Coincidence?