University Of Minnesota | CollegeHockeyPlayers

03Jun

Seth Helgeson(2) Albany Devils

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New Jersey Devils‘ 4th round pick in the 2009 draft (#114 overall) defenseman Seth Helgeson(2) has towering size at 6’5″ 215 lbs. and plays a punishing, stay-at-home style.

He was selected after a pair of seasons as a teenager in the USHL with Sioux City Musketeers.

Deciding to head to school as his next move helped him grow his game in four years at home state University Of Minnesota.

He finished his NCAA career with a +16 rating, completely reversing his numbers from American junior hockey but only put up modest scoring totals.

Once he turned pro, joining minor league affiliate Albany Devils for 75 AHL games in his rookie campaign, he scored only a single goal and credited with 9 assists, while running up 100 penalty minutes including 8 fighting majors. He was also a +12 plus/minus, helping the team to its first Calder Cup Playoff berth in a long while.

The 23-year old was recalled on a couple of occasions by the parent club but has yet to appear in an NHL game.

With a strong training camp heading into the final season of his 2-year entry level deal he could find himself spending some quality time in the show during the 2014/2015 season.

03Apr

Cade Fairchild(2) Portland Pirates

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3rd year defenseman Cade Fairchild(2) was picked up in an AHL trade deadline deal by Phoenix Coyotes for future considerations and reassigned to their farm club, Portland Pirates.

Originally a St. Louis Blues‘ 4th round pick in the 2007 draft, he skated mostly with their minor league affiliates apart from 5 NHL games in his rookie season (one assist).

In a somewhat surprisingly move he was also sent down to the ECHL for a pair of contests for Kalamazoo Wings near the beginning of the current season.

The slightly small-ish looking 5’11” 178 lbs. blue liner has appeared in 150 AHL contests scoring 10 goals and 55 assists with a massive +30 rating.

He dished out his fair share of helpers in four years at University Of Minnesota.

Tbe 25-year old is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the current campaign after signing a one-year extension.

It will be interesting to see where he ends up playing in 2014/2015, but I doubt anyone will be surprised if he decides to take his talents overseas.

02Dec

Mark Alt(2) Adirondack Phantoms

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Originally a Carolina Hurricanes‘ 2nd round pick in the 2010 draft (#53 overall), rookie defenseman Mark Alt(2) was traded to Philadelphia Flyers just as the lockout thawed.

The sizable 6’4″ 210 lbs. young blue liner skated in 6 games with minor league affiliate Adirondack Phantoms after finishing up his third year at University Of Minnesota. He recorded his first pro goal and assist in his short stint with the team.

He returned on reassignment after attending the parent club’s prospect and regular training camps bringing with him a steady, stay-at-home style that may have been a little light on the score sheet but heeded a solid +39 rating through his collegiate playing time.

In 19 AHL games he’s pocketed another goal and added 5 more assists.

The 22-year old is signed through 2016 on a three-year entry level deal and will likely realize some NHL playing time sooner than later.

11Jul

Mike Hoeffel(26) New Jersey Devils

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New Jersey Devils‘ 2nd round pick in the 2007 draft (#57 overall), 3rd year left wing Mike Hoeffel(26) was re-signed to a one-year extension for 2013/2014.

He was initially signed to a 2-year entry level contract that saw him play 112 games with their AHL Albany Devils scoring 10 goals and 9 assists. He had virtually identical numbers in each of his first couple campaigns, although he was able to turn a -11 rating into a more formidable +1 on a team that was only 6 points removed from a playoff berth.

The 6’3″ 205 lbs. has power forward size and will definitely be stepping up his game. He should be a 10/10 guy without even blinking, like he was able to achieve in four years of college hockey play with University Of Minnesota. In 149 games he left with 48 goals and 39 assists.

The 24-year awaits his first NHL recall.

13May

Jake Schmidt(5) Washington Capitals

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Washington Capitals‘ undrafted defenseman Nate Schmidt(5) recently signed a 2-year entry level deal leaving his final year at University Of Minnesota behind and was reassigned to minor league affiliate Hershey Bears to start his pro career and hopefully help them into the Calder Cup Playoffs.

Objective achieved, as he jumped right in playing through virtually every situation, contributing a goal and 3 assists in 8 AHL regular season games. He added another pair of helpers in 5 postseason games before his team was eliminated in a fifth and decisive game of the Quarterfinals.

He was a heck of a set-up player through his last two seasons in college hockey, so no doubt the parent club will look for him to continue that trend.

The very solid 5’11” 199 lbs. blue liner was recalled to join the “black aces” practice squad as the Capitals begin their quest for the Stanley Cup.

At only 21-years old, he still has time and room to further fill out his frame and may get a long look in upcoming training camps.

His contract already kicked in for 2012/2013, so his official rookie campaign will actually be the second of his deal and he’ll become a restricted free agent at the end of next season.

12May

Jake Hansen(14) Springfield Falcons

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Columbus Blue Jackets‘ 3rd round pick in the 2007 draft (#68 overall) rookie right wing Jake Hansen(14) is playing the spark plug of energy role for minor league affiliate Springfield Falcons in the 2013 Calder Cup Playoffs, when he’s been inserted into the lineup.

He’s appeared in 3 of their 6 postseason match ups with no points, a pair of shots and a 0 plus/minus, but has been a ball of fire each and every time he steps on the ice.

The 6’2″ 193 lbs. forward had a fairly successful first campaign with 4 goals and 5 assists in 46 AHL games.

And although he may have not been in every game, he was kept around without being reassigned further down.

He put up increasingly better numbers with each successive year at University Of Minnesota and was just about a point-per-game guy in his final season there.

The 23-year signed a two-year entry level deal through 2013/2014.

If he keeps hustling and can increase his production on the score sheet, should find himself getting a phone call to add some oomph to the team chemistry.