Wheeling Nailers | CollegeHockeyPlayers

24Aug

Cam Paddock(11) Frederikshavn

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9th year grisly veteran center Cam Paddock(11) started last season with Manchester Monarchs after signing a one-year, two-way contract with Los Angeles Kings right before the 2011/2012 season started.

He appeared in 39 AHL games scoring 2 goals and 3 assists and then seemingly disappeared. The 29-year resurfaced, without much of an explanation from the parent club other than they terminated his contract, back in Germany (where he skated in ’10/’11) with Ausburg Panthers for the remainder of the year.

The one-time 5th round pick of Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2002 draft (#137 overall) switches up countries for the new season, joining Frederikshavn White Hawks in the Danish hockey league AL-Bank Ligaen.

The 6’2″ 192 lbs. forward has nasty written all over his game and has played in 16 NHL games, all with St. Louis Blues, registering a goal and a pair of assists to his credit.

It’s likely he’ll ride out his pro career overseas at this point.

17Jul

Brandon DeFazio(24) New York Islanders

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Undrafted, rookie left wing Brandon DeFazio(24) enters his 2nd pro season with a one-year, two-way NHL contract courtesy of New York Islanders that will very likely see him play much of the year with their AHL affiliate Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

He signed an AHL deal with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins for 2011/2012. In 66 games, the almost 24-year old forward scored 11 goals and 5 assists with 104 shots on goal and an equal number of pims, ranking him second on the team.

The 6’1 200 lbs. forward plays a very feisty style of game but it’s still to be determined what the Isles saw in him to offer him a big league contract to join the team’s system.

16Jun

Jason DeSantis (6)

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Entering into his 5th pro season, undrafted defenseman Jason DeSantis(6) signed a one-year, two-way contract with Florida Panthers for the 2012/2013 season, which will see him skating for their AHL affiliate San Antonio Rampage.

He signed a minor league deal last season with Winnipeg Jets that saw him appear in 76 games during the regular and postseason with St. John’s IceCaps, where he established career highs in games played (66), goals, assists and points (11-35-46).

His totals were good enough for second on the team for d-men and third overall.

He even spent more time in the sin bin that he had in any previous years with 66 penalty minutes.

Most importantly, the 5’11” 185 lbs. 26-year old established himself as a dependable presence on the blue line that has the ability to help out on the scoring sheet.

We’ll miss seeing him play in the Eastern Conference, but are happy to see him ink an NHL
deal and if he continues to play well it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Panthers‘ recall him for a look in the show.

03Jun

David Aebischer(1) Rapperswil-Jona Lakers

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Once again it’s time for soon to be 14 year veteran goalie David Aebischer(1) to go home to Switzerland, joining a new team in the NLA, Rapperswil-Jona Lakers.

While he didn’t earn a contract with Winnipeg Jets, the team he came back to North America on a tryout agreement to hopefully sign with, the 34-year old was offered an AHL deal, took it and did pretty well with their minor league affiliate St. John’s IceCaps running a 15-12 record with a 2.86 GAA and an .895 GAA and helping the team to the Calder Cup Eastern Conference Finals in their debut season.

Got to say it was still pretty cool seeing the former Colorado Avalanche 6th round pick in the 1997 draft (#161 overall) play when the IceCaps were in town and he got the start in net. He has played in 214 NHL games with a 106 wins to 74 loss record.

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.

30Apr

Zach Sill(11) WBS Penguins

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Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins‘ 3rd year undrafted center Zach Sill(11) isn’t exactly known for his prolific goal scoring/point production: 10 goals, 7 assists in 68 AHL games this season.

But sometimes it’s not how many but when they happen and his 2nd of the AHL Calder Cup Quarterfinals was the gwg in the pivotal game 5 vs. Hershey Bears to move them along to the next round.

The 6′ 200 lbs. forward signed his first NHL contract, a two-year two-way deal, in 2011 that keeps him in the Pittsburgh system through the end of 2013.

He’s played 223 career games with Baby Pens scoring 29 goals and 34 assists.

The 23-year old will be looking to impress in the next training camp, especially considering the quick playoff exit of the highly touted parent club.

27Feb

Brad Thiessen (39)

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3rd year undrafted Pittsburgh Penguins‘ goaltender Brad Thiessen(39) received his 1st NHL start after putting up impressive numbers with affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

Originally signed to a 2-year entry level deal with Pittsburgh, he’s played 126 AHL regular season and Calder Cup Playoff games waiting his turn in what has turned out to be a glut of good goalies in their system.

In his debut, a 4-2 win, he saved 22 of 24 shots for a 2.00 GAA and .917 SV%.

It’s another one of the success stories as he was never drafted and played parts of his rookie season in the ECHL with Wheeling Nailers, 12 games, 8-3 record.

He could be in line to be the team’s NHL back-up for 2012/2013, but will need another contract in the meantime.

22Dec

Tim Wallace(36) New York Islanders

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6th year undrafted wing Tim Wallace(36) played his first five seasons in the Pittsburgh Penguins‘ system appearing in 24 NHL games (0 goals, 2 assists) but spent most of his time with their AHL affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, where he skated in 304 games, putting up 70 goals and 53 assists.

In the offseason he signed a new one-year, two-way deal with New York Islanders and in his first season with Bridgeport Sound Tigers was an alternate captain and the team’s leading scoring with 20 points (9 goals, 11 assists) when he was recalled.

He’s now played in 7 games with the Isles and has an assist but his first NHL goal still alludes him.

27Nov

Jason Jaffray(15) Winnipeg Jets

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In his 10th year, undrafted wing Jason Jaffray(15) has always been a leader for the AHL squads he’s played for.

Through 41 NHL games, most of those with Vancouver Canucks, he’s defined as mostly a character player, who does what he needs to get the job done.

With his new team for the 2011/2012 season, Winnipeg Jets, he received his first call up and has been making the most of it.

He recently notched his first point with the team, an assist, in 5 games.

He’s the captain of affiliate St. John’s IceCaps, a team he has helped to a first place overall standing in its’ debut AHL season.

He is one of the most storied players in Manitoba Moose history and holds 6 different team records.

16Nov

Ben Street (10)

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2nd year, undrafted center Ben Street(10) showed in his rookie season what he is capable of in 74 games with WBS Penguins and their ECHL affiliate, Wheeling Nailers putting up combined totals of 36 goals and 38 assists.

Entering the 2011/2012 he was signed to a one-year AHL contract.

In 12 games, he’s on a recent tear with 2 goals and 8 assists (8 of those points coming in 3 games last weekend), which was good enough to earn him AHL Player of the Week.

Despite only playing half the season with Wheeling last year, he was named ECHL Rookie Of The Year. I think he will eventually be signed by Pittsburgh Penguins.