Washington Capitals | 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.

30Jun

Mike Carman(26) Washington Capitals

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3rd year center Mike Carman(26) re-signs with Washington Capitals for another year, two-way contract after they obtained him in a late season trade from Colorado. He was originally a 3rd round pick of the Avalanche in the 2006 draft (#81 overall), but due to become a restricted free agent this year after his two-year entry level deal was up.

In 32 games with Hershey Bears he scored 5 goals and 7 assists and finished the season, split with Lake Erie Monsters with 18 points in 60 total AHL contests.

The 24-year old 6′ 185 lbs. forward definitely seemed to be pretty enrolled in the game we saw him play . Skating a full season in Chocolatetown, he should be able to put up points.

24Jun

Jacob Micflikier(18) EHC Biel

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Entering his 5th pro season undrafted, under-sized as previously stated in a previous post, forward Jacob Micflikier(18) flies from North American hockey to skate with EHC Biel of the Swiss NLA.

It’s a move that makes sense for the 27-year old, unrestricted free agent. For 2011/2012, he signed a one-year, two-way deal with Washington Capitals but spent the entire season with Hershey Bears. He also was injured and limited to 57 games but had a career year for assists with 35 and would have been on par for highs in points and possibly goals too.

He leaves on a high, which is probably why the climate change likely makes it more appealing from a player standpoint. He’ll probably do pretty well playing this style hockey and we wish him all the best.

See related posts: July 18, 2011 & November 30, 2010

19Jun

Patrick McNeill(2) Hershey Bears

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Washington Capitals‘ 4th round pick in the 2005 draft (#118 overall), soon-to-be 6th year defenseman Patrick McNeill(2) knew as last season ended where he’d be skating in 2012/2013.

He signed a 2-year extension in June 2011 taking him through 2012/2013, making it a half dozen years he’ll be skating with the same organization.

In 2011/2012 with Hershey Bears he had his most productive season yet with careers highs for games played (71), goals (10), assists (31), points (41) and even shots on goal (103). He was 1st for d-men on the team in points.

One thing missing though is an appearance in an NHL game. He’s was recalled and reassigned on a couple of occasions in late 2011 but nothing last season.

It would be a bit surprising if the 6’1″ 200 lbs. 25-year old doesn’t get that opportunity in the final year of his current deal.

18Jun

Brian Willsie(24) Hamilton Bulldogs

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14-year veteran right wing, Hamilton Bulldogs‘ assistant captain Brian Willsie(24) maybe didn’t have the most productive point totals of his career, but his 18 goals and 26 assists were first in team scoring for 2011/2012.

As of July 1 he becomes an unrestricted free agent and could potentially sign with his fourth different team in the last 4 seasons.

With 381 games of NHL experience (52 goals, 57 assists and 5 full years with teams), no doubt the leadership quality he brings to any team he plays for is worth the price of his contract.

He played in his last big league contest as recently as two seasons ago with Washington Capitals (a team he’s skated 132 of his career league games with) and even got an assist in the one game he appeared in.

He was originally a Colorado Avalanche 6th round pick in the 1996 draft (#146 overall).

It’s a bit of a wonder why the Canadiens didn’t call him up, when they brought a few of the younger guys in the system up and down on a number of occasions.

What’s next for the 34-year old? We wait.

31May

Dany Sabourin(35) Hershey Bears

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Heading into his 13th season, Hershey Bears‘ goaltender Dany Sabourin(35) signs a one-year, two-way extension with Washington Capitals‘ organization for a third straight season.

Originally a Calgary Flames‘ 4th round pick in the 1998 draft (#108 overall), he has almost always consistently put together a winning season for whatever club he’s been with.

The 31-year old has played in 59 NHL games mostly with Pittsburgh Penguins over a few seasons and appeared in net with Vancouver Canucks and the Flames as well.

In the AHL he has 278 regular and postseason contests to his credit.

Whomever the Bears end up with to split time with him in the upcoming season, he is more than capable of shouldering the starting job or splitting the 76-game schedule with another netminder as he did in 2011/2012.

He has been recalled by the Caps but yet to tend for them in a game. Maybe that will change in 2012/2013.

27May

Chris Bourque(17) Boston Bruins

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The name Bourque will once again appear in Black & Gold.

Boston Bruins traded former 1st round pick, center Zach Hamill to Washington Capitals for left wing and son of Ray, Chris Bourque(17).

He has played 411 games through 6 seasons with Hershey Bears in the AHL throughout his 7-year pro career scoring 131 goals and an eye-popping 264 assists.

The 5’8″ 181 lbs. forward won three Calder Cups with the Bears, was playoff MVP in 2010 and lead the league in scoring this season with 93 points in 73 games.

He was a 2nd round pick in the 2004 draft (#33 overall) but has only skated in 33 NHL games scoring one goal with three helpers and most of those games ironically were played with Pittsburgh Penguins.

The 26-year old could definitely find a spot with the big club is he works for it but honestly the first time he steps onto either the Garden or even Dunkin’ Donuts Center ice in those colors, it’s going to be one strange but glorious sight.

Related posts: 12/1/11 and 10/9/11.

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.

11May

Alex Henry(5) DEG Metro Stars

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13 year pro defenseman Alex Henry(5) leaves North American hockey for Germany (his second stint in the country; he was there in the 2004/2005 NHL lockout year). He joins DEG Metro Stars of the DEL (Deutsche Eishockey Liga).

The always daunting 6’5″ 220 lbs. blue liner was originally a 3rd round pick by Edmonton Oilers in the 1998 draft (#63 overall). He only played 3 of his 177 NHL appearances with the Oilers. He’s credited with 2 goals and 9 assists.

Starting his pro career with Hamilton Bulldogs of the AHL for the first three seasons; he closes this chapter of playing hockey having played the last four years with the team, including the last two as their captain.

The 32-year old has played a massive 546 regular and postseason games with the Bulldogs and 701 AHL contests overall. Hardly considered for his offensive prowess, he’s found the back of the net only 19 times and filled in the scoring sheet with 78 assists.

27Mar

Braden Holtby(1) Washington Capitals

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Washington Capitals‘ third year goaltender Braden Holtby(1) is working hard to steal the number one job with the parent club heading towards a postseason bid.

He’s played a career high 40 AHL games with Hershey Bears collecting a season best 20 wins. His 15 losses is also a regular season personal worst.

After posting 10 wins in 14 games with the Caps last season, it’s a bit of a thinker why they didn’t give him a longer look for the starter position this season.

Although despite being in his 3rd pro season, he’s still only on the 2nd year of his 3-year entry level deal. So they may be taking it slowly with his development.

He was originally a Capitals‘ 4th round pick in the 2009 draft (#93 overall).