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31Aug

Joel Broda (19)

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4th year center Joel Broda(6) is playing his first season as an unrestricted free agent after his 3-year entry level contract with Minnesota Wild was not qualified.

He signed a one-year minor league deal with Bakersfield Condors for 2013/2014, returning to the team he skated with on reassignment from Houston Aeros during his rookie season.

He played 124 AHL games through three seasons with the Aeros scoring 21 goals and 17 assists.

The 6′ 203 lbs. forward was an Oklahoma City Barons‘ training camp invite and impressed enough to score a call-up for 8 games near the start of the season, potting a goal and an assist quickly but then cooled off before being returned a month later.

He would get right to it in the ECHL, where he struck for 19 goals and 16 assists in 35 games.

His explosion on the score sheet gained him notice from Bridgeport Sound Tigers, who signed him to a pto and out of the gate he’s fitting right in with team chemistry.

Again, he scored early in his recall netting a pair of tallies and a helper in his first three contests.

Originally a Washington Capitals‘ 5th round pick in the 2008 draft (#144 overall), he had a notable junior hockey career scoring a league leading 53 goals in 2008/2009 and winning the WHL Championship with Calgary Hitmen in the following campaign.

The 24-year plays a speedy skating style, knows how to get himself into the open spaces on the ice for scoring chances and generally unloads a ton of shots on net.

Original story: 2/26-14

His time with Bridgeport Sound Tigers would finish with the 2 goals and 4 assists in 17 games.

Released from his pto near the end of the regular season, he rejoined Bakersfield Condors as team captain for their playoff run, which last 16 games through the Kelly Cup Western Conference Finals.

Once again, he exploded on the score sheet potting 8 goals and 4 assists with a +5 rating in 16 playoff games.

His 2013/2014 performance was enough to put him on the radar of Hershey Bears, who signed him to an AHL contract roughly a month before training camps started.

Through 53 contests, he would have a somewhat rough campaign in Chocolatetown falling out of favor as he was mostly a healthy scratch down the stretch and throughout the Calder Cup Playoffs.

It was obvious his 7 goals and 3 assists fell far short of the mark.

For his 6th pro season he’s decided to take his game elsewhere, signing a one-year deal with HC Bolzano Foxes of Erte Banke Eishockey Liga.

The now 25-year old that will turn 26 a month into the new season should easily be able to duplicate the kind of numbers he put in the ECHL overseas.

14Aug

T.J. Syner(84) Utah Grizzlies

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Hershey Bears‘ rookie center T.J. Syner(84) has done the 60 minute drive to and from affiliate Reading Royals for games so many times in the month of February his car probably knows the route automatically.

He’s at 7 and it’ll end there, because he’s joining the team for a Florida swing of games. There seems to be a method to the wacky races madness, because in 10 ECHL games he has 4 goals and 7 assists. They hope he can convert the same success to the higher league.

In 34 AHL games he has 3 goals and 4 assists.

At 5’9″ 179 lbs. the 24-year old is definitely on the small side but has the ability to get into those open areas and bury his chances, which is what he’ll need to do with frequency to stay on Washington Capitals‘ radar. He was in their development camp and has a player profile on their site but there’s no information about his contract anywhere.

At the rate he’s playing he could suit up for almost 100 games this season depending who he plays with in the postseason (maybe both) and how deep they go.

Original story 2/28-13

He finished his first season playing 36 AHL games and kept those 3 goals and 4 assists mark with a +1 rating but in the lower league he would only play an additional 6 to 16 ECHL games as his totals swelled to 9 goals and 10 assists, then en route to a 2013 Kelly Cup Championship he helped chipping in 9 tallies and 12 helpers in 22 games with a +22 rating.

He signed once again with Hershey for his sophomore campaign but spent most of the time down with Reading Royals skating a career high 56 games, scoring 19 goals, 25 assists and 44 points with a +12 plus/minus. But at only 64 shots on net, he clearly doesn’t shoot the puck nearly enough.

He had no points in 4 postseason contests before splitting for inter-league rival Utah Grizzlies in 2014/2015.

Sidelined by injuries he was limited to 45 games scoring 15 goals and 16 assists but then popped back to scoring life in the playoffs connecting for a pair of goals and 6 assists in 11 games through the Western Conference Finals.

He’s decided to stay put once again signing for 2015/2016 with the Grizzlies.

Crazy to think that he’ll be entering his 4th pro season and will turn 27-years old near the beginning of the new hockey calendar.

Also, can’t forget he started late after a pretty storied four year career at UMass-Amherst.

07Jul

Kyle Wilson(7) MODO

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After 7 seasons of pro hockey in North America, 28-year old center Kyle Wilson(7) opts for a 1-year contract to join 2012 and 2013 KHL champs Dinamo Riga.

He was most recently signed to a two-year deal by Nashville Predators with the second year of the deal on a one-way contract.

The 6’2″ 200 lbs. forward was moved in the off season to Tampa Bay Lightning, playing only 22 games for their minor league affiliate Syracuse Crunch but was once again on the chopping block after scoring only 5 goals.

He was traded to Anaheim Ducks, where he was reassigned to Norfolk Admirals and seemed to regain some of his scoring touch with 3 goals and 9 assists in 16 games.

In 427 AHL games, he has amassed an impressive 319 points (149 goals and 170 assists) with an outstanding +48 rating and won back-to-back Calder Cup Championships with Hershey Bears.

Originally a Minnesota Wild 9th round pick in the 2004 draft (#272 overall), he has skated in 39 NHL games with 3 different teams recording a modest 4 goals and 9 assists.

He was set to become an unrestricted free agent upon deciding to take his game overseas.

Original story: 6/12-13

He had an exceptional first season with Dinamo Riga scoring close to point-per-game numbers (17-27-44) in 49 games but was sidelined late in the campaign with a back injury.

The Oakville, ON native would switch KHL teams in the offseason on a pair of occasions and start 2014/2015 with Traktor Chelyabinsk but returned to Dinamo Riga after 22 contests.

His production suffered greatly, as he was possibly still recovering from surgery, only connecting for 2 goals and 13 assists.

Heading into his 9th season the 30-year old moves on to join MODO of the SHL for 2015/2016 and should be able to get his mojo back.

See related: 3/8-11, 3/12-13

15Jun

Philipp Grubauer(31) Washington Capitals

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Washington Capitals‘ 4th round pick in the 2010 draft (#112 overall), German-born goaltender Philipp Grubauer(31) has been stonewalling the offense in the ECHL through his first year and a half in the league.

He was the starter for South Carolina Stingrays in his rookie campaign going 23-13-5 in 43 appearances with a 2.22 GAA and .918 SV%.

The 6′ 180 lbs. net minder took up in his sophomore season where he left off posting a 19-5-1 record in 26 games and a 2.30 GAA and .912 SV% for Reading Royals before being recalled to split duties for Hershey Bears.

He’s off to an impressive start with a 2-2 mark and another solid 2.05 GAA and .926 SV%.

The 21-year old signed a 3-year entry level deal that keeps him in the system through 2015 and if it wasn’t for the logjam in the AHL net last season, he may have scored some playing time.

He recently was also cleared to attend the ECHL All-Star Game, where he was chosen as a starter and got the nod to kick off the festivities between the pipes. For now he’s having fun but could figure into the Capitals‘ long term plans pretty easily.

Original story: 1/24-13

In the 2013/2014 season he would be one of the few players each year to play a game in all three tops leagues: NHL, AHL and ECHL.

It would also signify the last time the net minder would see double A hockey as he would play 17 games with the Caps in 2013/2014 posting a 6-5-5 record with a 2.38 GAA and .925 SV%.

Even though he saw only one game with the parent club in 2014/2015, due to a veteran goalie signed in the off-season taking on most of the back-up role.

He would however be called on to start a first round Stanley Cup Playoff game getting the win, two firsts for a German-born backstop.

The only 23-year old signs a 2-year one-way extension but still may spend some time with the farm club to continue to hone his skills.

03Jun

Andrew Gordon (10)

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After going to the Calder Cup Finals with the IceCaps 8th year center Andrew Gordon(10) signed a one-year two-way deal with Philadelphia Flyers on the second day of free agency.

Once again he was in the parent club’s training camp but reassigned early and played the complete 76 AHL game slate with new affiliate Lehigh Valley Phantoms without receiving a recall.

He did ok scoring 18 goals and 24 assists on a team that teetered on the .500 mark for most of the season.

With what looks to be diminishing opportunities to skate games in the show, the 29-year old has decided to take his scoring threat over to Europe and gets a one-year deal with Linkoping of the SHL.

See related: 2/28-12

02Jun

Garrett Mitchell (36) Hershey Bears

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Heading into his fifth season, Washington keeps the speedy, aggressive skating forward for another 2-years inking him to an extension through 2016/2017.

He’s been the club’s assistant captain for the last two seasons and although his numbers dipped to half of what he was able to score in his sophomore campaign, he’s always a pesky presence on the ice.

The 23-year old also suffered a season-ending shoulder injury that required surgery and put him on the sidelines for the second half of the final year of his entry level deal but was still offered another shot with an additional year.

He will likely get the opportunity to prove what he can do in the NHL sooner than later.

01Jun

Julien Brouilette(49) Karlskrona

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Washington Capitals‘ defenseman Julien Brouilette(29) waited six pro seasons before scoring his first NHL contract.

He was signed for the last couple years with AHL affiliate Hershey Bears and in camp with the parent club, so was definitely being watched.

The still small-ish 5’11” 196 lbs. blue liner is having a career year for goals, 9 in 37 games and is on his way to a new high for overall points.

On his first recall he notch his first point, an assist and left the game with a +2 rating. In his next appearance he would score his first goal, the game winner, and had another +2 in a second team win.

The 27-year old skated a single game with ECHL affiliate Reading Royals last season and this year is on a short list for recalls to the show.

He started his pro career in the double A league under contracts with Columbia Inferno, Charlotte Checkers twice and Greenville Road Warriors, but ended up skating double the amount of games in 2010/2011 with Lake Erie Monsters. This was just the start of his ascent.

Playing his junior hockey with he showed an early offensive upside posting over 40 assists in his final pair of campaigns.

This is a ton of hard work in progress, but from early games in the big league seems like a good player to have around.

Original story 3/2-14.

After playing under contract with Winnipeg Jets‘ last season, spending all but one appearance with the big club in the minors, heading into his 9th year he will test the waters overseas as he has signed on with Karlskrona of the SHL and should do well playing a more wide open system.

See related: 10/23-12

01Jun

Patrick McNeill(20) ERC Ingolstadt

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Columbus Blue Jackets‘ 7th year defenseman Patrick McNeill(8) must be liking the first change of scenery in his pro career.

He’s reached a new high in scoring with 11 goals with minor league affiliate Springfield Falcons and second most for points, currently at 36.

Originally a Washington Capitals‘ 4th round pick in the 2005 draft (#118 overall), he spent his first 6 seasons in the team’s prospect system skating for Hershey Bears.

The 6′ 198 lbs. blue liner initially showed strong offensive instincts in four campaigns of OHL juniors with Saginaw Spirit, leading all d-men scoring 77 points in 2005/2006.

He has yet to realize his first NHL contest but has appeared in a whopping 386 AHL games, registering 44 goals and 144 assists with a combined +36 rating and a back-to-back Calder Cup Championships in 2009 and 2010.

The 27-year old is signed to a 1-year, 2-way deal through the end of 2013/2014.

A contract extension may well depend upon how he and the team perform in the upcoming postseason but he’s certainly right on track.

Original story date 4/12-14.

Early in 2014 free agency, he was offered a one-year two-way deal to join Arizona Coyotes.

Suffering a shoulder injury during practice early in the season, his time was limited to just 23 games with affiliate Portland Pirates. He did fairly well scoring as he usually does with a goal and 11 assists.

The now 29-year old has decided to accept his next deal from overseas and will skate his 9th season for ERC Ingolstadt.

See related: 8/3-11, 6/19-12

09Apr

Stanislav Galiev(49) Washington Capitals

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Less than a year ago, Washington Capitals‘ 3rd year Russian-born right wing Stanislav Galiev(49) was barely a consideration to be recalled to the parent club when an injury took down one of the starters.

At the end of 2014 he appeared in first round playoff games for ECHL affiliate Reading Royals. He was also part of their 2013 Kelly Cup Championship team scoring 4 goals and 7 asssists in 10 games as a rookie.

All that changed at the beginning of the final campaign of his three-year entry level deal though, as he has exploded with scoring abilities for farm team Hershey Bears in 2014/2015.

The not exactly huge 6’1″ 187 lbs. forward has a career high (and team leading) 25 goals, 20 assists and 45 points through 64 AHL games with a +5 rating.

His 15 power play tallies also lead the league.

The two-time, consecutive 2011 and 2012 QMJHL Champion and 2011 Memorial Cup winner always put up big numbers in juniors taking the most assist honors in his first season 2009/2010 and leading the way in the 2012 postseason for Saint John Sea Dogs with 16 goals and 34 points.

In his first NHL game, he skated 13 shifts for 9:56 total ice with :18 on the power play and had one shot on net, one hit, one giveaway and one takeaway.

See related: 11/20-12

21Mar

Andre Burakovsky(15) Hershey Bears

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Washington Capitals‘ 1st round pick in the 2013 draft (#23 overall) Austria-born rookie center Andre’ Burakovsky(15) may be spending most of his playing time with affiliate Hershey Bears heading down the stretch towards the postseason.

Although he’s skated in 50 games with the parent club, scored his first NHL in his debut and has a very decent 9 goals and 13 assists with a +12 rating, he’s also been a healthy scratch on many occasions as he develops.

The fairly big 6’3″ 198 lbs. power forward may be mostly squeezed out of his spot with the big club but considering he doesn’t have to go through waivers and seems to excel once reinserted into the lineup is likely first on the list to go back up.

He already had one full season’s experience in Sweden’s tier two Allsvenskan with Malmo (where he played most of his junior hockey) and even played 10 games with the team in 2011/2012 as a 16/17-year old, when he signed his entry level deal that extends through 2017.

Although his contract was set, it was decided to send him to Erie Otters much against his will to make sure their prospect was ready.

Scoring 41 goals and 47 assists in 57 OHL games he easily proved he was too skilled to be playing at the junior level.

The 20-year old posted his first AHL goal, an overtime game-winner, in his 6th game to go along with his one assist but will need to continue to dig hard to prove he’s ready for prime time.

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