Tagged: UHL

14Jan

Steve MacIntyre(74) Utah Grizzlies

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Steve-MacIntyre2

Norfolk Admirals‘ absolutely huge 6’5″ 250 lbs. 13th year veteran left wing Steve MacIntyre(74) has seemingly taken his demotion to Utah Grizzlies of the ECHL for the first time since 2006 in stride this late in his pro career.

He actually played the next season 2006/2007 in the old UHL with Quad City Mallards, who maybe ironically are now playing their games in the same league.

His brick wall, tough guy style and persistent attitude helped take his game to the next level when in 2007/2008 he skated a full AHL season with Providence Bruins.

It would be the last time he put up over 200 penalty minutes in a season and although he threw fists 18 times, that was easily the most fights in a campaign he’d ever settled.

Edmonton Oilers took notice and grabbed him off waivers from Florida Panthers, who reclaimed him a year later.

He would play games mostly in Alberta, but he also got some time with Pittsburgh Penguins.

The 34-year old skated last season with Oklahoma City Barons but only appeared in 11 games.

He’s been held pointless for at least the last three years.

It’s pretty likely that if he wants to still play the sport he will take his game to England next and be a hero.

21Nov

Brendan Brooks(27) Bakersfield Condors

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Brendan BrooksUndrafted 17th year right wing Brendan Brooks(27) has never skated an NHL game but has managed to play in 8 different pro leagues, including 4 with North American teams and across 5 different countries.

The somewhat small-ish 5’10” 185 lbs. forward even had a formidable campaign last season appearing in only 21 games with Valerenga scoring 16 goals and 11 assists.

It was his second stint in Norway GET-ligaen. He had two of his most productive offensive years with 2014 champs Stavenger Oilers.

The 35-year old has scored 20+ goals six times in his career.

His latest stop, signing with Bakersfield Condors brings him full circle.

After only his second season of OHL junior hockey he played a single ECHL game in 1998 for Mississippi Sea Wolves.

He would then officially turn pro with Quad City Mallards of the UHL and stick with them for a couple of years.

Among the impressive resume of stops he even had one appearance along the way in the old IHL with Cincinnati Cyclones.

He worked his way up the ladder and spent four seasons in the AHL most notably for two with Worcester Ice Cats before splitting overseas.

It’s possible that he’s chosen to play closer to home, because he could be eying the next phase of his hockey lifetime.

14May

Keith Aucoin(11) Washington Capitals

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Veteran AHL center Keith Aucoin(11) has played a whopping 673 regualar season games in the league throughout his amazing 11-year career run.

Despite appearing in only 43 games this season, he still ranked 5th in scoring with 70 points (11 goals, 59 assists).

On February 28, the 33-year old was recalled from Hershey Bears for the fourth time in a month by Washington Capitals and stayed in the NHL throughout their Stanley Cup Playoff run, which included a pair of 7-game series.

In his first 14 big league postseason contests ever he had a pair of assists but more importantly was utilized on the power play and provided a tough fourth line checking forward for the opposition to deal with.

The 5’8″ 171 lbs. forward (that plays with hockey stick that’s bigger than he is) has been in the Caps‘ system for the last 4 seasons and is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent on July 1,  but we expect him to be re-upped for at least one more year.

10Apr

Steve MacIntyre(33) WBS Penguins

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10th year veteran tough guy at a mere 6’5″ 250 lbs. Steve MacIntyre(33) most definitely didn’t take the easy way to the NHL but has made his mark in the league through 90 games.

His “pro” career started in a Continental Elite Hockey League (CEHL) and made its way through, surviving the QSPHL (LNAH), WHA2, UHL and ECHL.

Undrafted, he always played a game of hard knocks totaling over 200 penalty minutes in each of his first 6 seasons. It should be noted he hasn’t come close to that much time spent in the box since 2008.

The season that followed saw him skate his first NHL games with Edmonton, a team he would spend most of the next three seasons with.

For 2011/2012 he was signed by Pittsburgh Penguins and has split time with their AHL affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. He was recently recalled for their last game of the regular season to keep the peace in a game vs. Philadelphia Flyers before being reassigned again.

There’s little doubt he will police the ice for the Baby Pens in their quest for the Calder Cup.

It’s a wonder where the 31-year old will end up playing next season, if he’ll stay in Steel City or move on.

30Aug

Ryan Keller(28) Edmonton Oilers / Binghamton Senators

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Binghamton Senators‘ captain Ryan Keller(28) leaves the team after two years and 6 games with Ottawa, his first in the NHL. He failed to register a point and last year never received a call-up but was a force in the AHL with Binghamton, leading the team to a memorable Calder Cup Championship.

He signed a one-year, two-way deal with Edmonton Oilers, which may get him some more NHL playing time opportunities but mostly he will be counted on to lift Oklahoma City Barons to deeper playoff contention than their first round exit this past season.

We’ll miss him in the Eastern Conference.