ECHL | CollegeHockeyPlayers

Category: ECHL

30Aug

Colin McDonald(13) Philadelphia Flyers

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New York Islanders‘ 8th year veteran right wing Colin McDonald(13) started the current campaign on the roster but was having a tough time finding an open spot.

After only a couple of NHL games with no points, he was put on waivers and reassigned to affiliate Bridgeport Sound Tigers for the first time in a long while.

Over the last 4 years in the AHL the 6’2″ 205 lbs. power forward averaged over 40 points, while in his time spent up with 3 teams in his pro career he has a none too shabby 16 goals and 20 assists in 124 games but is a sort of abysmal -22 plus/minus.

In 40 games this year he’s helping out with 14 goals and 21 assists and definitely provides needed leadership on a still young squad.

Signed only through the end of 2015, it will be interesting to see where the 30-year old will take his game next.

The former Edmonton Oilers‘ 2nd round pick in the 2003 draft (#51 overall) definitely has the ability to help out a checking line but may be looking at a trip overseas is probably a better bet.

Original story: 2/7-15

He would get recalled the very next day and started contributing immediately earning that spot on the roster and not looking back.

Although he would level off and was a healthy scratch for games down the stretch he did appear in a pair of playoff games.

Turning 31-years old as the new season approaches it’s probably a good time to switch up the scenery and he’s signed a one-year two-way deal with Philadelphia Flyers for 2015/2016, but I would not put it by him to make the big club out of training camp and fit in just nicely.

See related: 4/22-12

24Aug

Taylor Vause (91)

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4th year center Taylor Vause(91) finished his ECHL year playing a career high 4 playoff contests (4 assists) and regular season best 30 games, 21 goals, 20 assists for 41 points and a +18 with 97 shots on net.

His stats in the AHL were also decent as he set a new mark of 6 goals.

Set to turn just 24-years old as the new season begins, he’s made the decision to head to Austria’s Erste Bank Eishocky Liga signing a deal with HC Bolzano Foxes for 2015/2016.

22Aug

Corey Trivino(18) Admiral Vladivostok

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2nd year center Corey Trivino(23) received his first AHL recall playing 11 games with Portland Pirates on loan from Stockton Thunder. He wound up with four assists and managed a +3 rating before being returned from a team that is mostly slipping in the standings.

Originally a New York Islanders‘ 2nd round pick in the 2008 draft (#36 overall) he was never signed, although attended many team training camps and eventually inked his first deal to join Florida Everblades of the ECHL.

The 6’1″ 190 lbs. forward put up stellar numbers in his rookie season with 18 goals, 33 assists and a +17 plus/minus in 63 games and added another 3 goals and 8 assists in 13 Kelly Cup Playoff contests.

He was also outstanding through a pair of OPJHL seasons at age 16 and 17, where he amassed 127 points (43-84) in 88 games.

Next up, he chose to attend Boston University and won an NCAA National Title in his first campaign at the school.

Personal problems would arise from there and he was eventually expelled in his fourth year of college despite having his most productive goal scoring start with 13 strikes in 15 games.

At this point the 24-year old is looking to only put any past crossroads behind him and continue what he does best: putting points up on the score sheet.

Original story: 2/17-14

With Stockton he would finish playing 46 games scoring 11 goals and 32 assists and then added another 5 assists in 9 playoff games.

A month into 2014/2015 he would join Florida Everblades but after only 5 games (3 goals, 6 assists) Portland Pirates came calling once again.

Only this time he would reach a new career 39 games played and best 3 goals, 11 assists and 14 points with a +2 rating before being sent back to help the Everblades with their playoff push.

In 11 posteason games he scored 5 goals and 3 assists.

For his 4th pro year he’s decided to take his game overseas signing a one-year deal after a try-out with Admiral Vladivostok of the KHL.

21Aug

Patrick Cullity(3) Missouri Mavericks

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2nd year undrafted defenseman Patrick Cullity(22) scored his 1st AHL goal (to go along with a pair of assists) in his 27th career game, 17th this season with Springfield Falcons, who he signed a pto contract with in December. That’s either up for renewal soon or an upgrade to an spc.

He also skated in 5 games this season with Abbotsford Heat registering one assist. Two years ago he got his AHL debut with Syracuse Crunch right after he completed his college career at UVM. He’s under contract for 2011/2012 with Utah Grizzlies of the ECHL but may not be going back.

In his rookie season he played 71 games with South Carolina Stingrays, where he had a pair of goals and 15 assists while going a +14 plus/minus.

He was born in Tewksbury, MA.

9/21-12: The 25-year old signed a one-year deal with the ECHL Idaho Steelheads for 2012/2013. He ended last season scoring 1 goal and 9 assists in 49 AHL games for Springfield Falcons and Abbotsford Heat.

Original story: 2/6-12

He would start the new campaign with Idaho but upon his first recall to old friend Springfield he was offered an AHL contract. It didn’t end his time in the lower league as he was sent down and back on a few occasions.

Near the end of the season he was acquired by St. John’s IceCaps for the remainder of the schedule, playing 14 games with 2 assists to his credit. He was returned for the Kelly Cup Playoffs and he had a great showing notching 2 goals and 3 helpers in 9 match-ups.

As the 2013/2014 approached he was re-signed to a one-year deal with the IceCaps but was reassigned back to the Steelheads at the beginning of the season and stayed there.

He would play a career high 70 ECHL games scoring a best 4 goals and 28 assists for 32 points. He led the team in assists and points for d-men.

After what had to be a year of mixed emotions it didn’t take him long to realize he would be most served to stay put in the Great Pacific Northwest for a third stint.

The Falcons once again summoned him for a short term but once again the majority of his time was with Idaho, where he was an impressive +20 plus/minus.

Entering his 6th season, the now 28-year old leaves the nest and joins Missouri Mavericks for 2015/2016.

20Aug

Brock Higgs (21)

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After skating out of the gate quickly he leveled off, finishing his first pro experience with 16 AHL games played, scoring 3 goals and 3 assists with a +2 rating.

It wouldn’t take much time after the start of free agency for him to pick up his first contract.

Not seeing any higher league options, he signed for his first season with Reading Royals.

Something went amiss though, because he would last only 11 games (1 goal, 3 assists) before being traded for future considerations to South Carolina Stingrays.

His term would last. After only 9 games despite scoring 3 goals he was dished for cash to Fort Wayne Komets.

He wouldn’t settle there either, because after another 10 contests (1 goal, 2 assists) he was put on waivers for release.

With their playoff hopes on the slide, Gwinnett Gladiators stepped in as his fourth team of his first season to sign him to a deal.

Maybe with zero pressure, his luck was due for a change, as he stuck with this club for the remainder of the schedule and connected for a goal and 7 assists in 11 games.

As his sophomore season approaches, the 23-year old has decided to stay in Georgia for 2015/2016 with the Gladiators.

If he can stick and start hitting the score sheet with more frequency like he did late last year, he should earn himself another look up the hockey ladder.

19Aug

Stefan Chaput(21) Olimpija Ljubljana

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5th year center Stefan Chaput(21) hooks up with Hamilton Bulldogs for the 2012/2013 season on a one-year AHL contract.

He missed all but 11 games with Providence Bruins last year due to hip surgery, groin, upper body, you name it. Apparently healthy once again, he’ll look to regain some of that scoring spark he had when he first came to the P-Bruins in 2010 and from his “rookie” season in the Carolina Hurricanes‘ system with Albany River Rats.

The 6′ 192 lbs. forward was originally a Canes‘ 5th round pick in 2006 (#153 overall). He’s not an overly big player and doesn’t really play that style of game but given some room he can make things happen and the Bulldogs are counting on some of that magic to reappear. He has yet to appear in an NHL game.

Original story: 9/19-12

He would start his new season on reassignment down to Wheeling Nailers, where in 15 ECHL games he scored 3 goals and 6 assists before being recalled to spend the rest of the campaign with Hamilton.

Although not what he was able to achieve in his earlier career, he still was able to do ok with 5 goals and 12 assists in 48 games but was a woeful -12 plus/minus.

It was good enough to get him another contract for 2013/2014, but when he was once again to start the new year in the lower league he decided to split signing briefly with Cornwall River Kings of the LNAH.

He received another AHL look on a pto with Utica Comets but failed to connect in three games and was released.

His next step may have been one of his most important, as he agreed to terms halfway through the season to head overseas joining Ravensburg Towerstars of DEL2.

Seemed like the right move as he found that scoring touch connecting for 9 goals and 11 assists in 16 games and added another tally and 4 more helpers in 5 playoff match-ups.

For 2014/2015 he decided to stay put in Germany but switch allegiances inking a deal with rivals Dresdner Eislowen.

He would post career highs for his new squad notching 20 goals and 34 assists for 54 points in 43 games but came up a bit empty in a short postseason.

Heading into his 8th year, the now 27-year old has decided to move on to Austria’s Erste Bank Eishockey Liga to skate with Olimpija Ljubljana, where he may be a bit more challenged to keep up those scoring stats from last season but will be a good challenge.

18Aug

Scooter Vaughan(7) Chicago Wolves

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Undrafted 3rd year defenseman/right wing Scooter Vaughan(7) received his first call up to the AHL and is trying to make the most of it without looking back.

Signed to a second season with ECHL South Carolina Stingrays, after only 20 games into the current campaign he was called up on a pto with Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

Now 25 games into his tryout, he has 3 goals, 3 assists and has played in all types of on-ice situations, even being bumped up to a forward position.

The listed at 6′ (seems a bit generous) 195 lbs. blue liner was off to a fast start on the score sheet this season scoring a pair of goals and 6 assists.

He had his best showing in his sophomore season with 6 tallies and 14 helpers.

There appears to be little doubt that when he was picked up by the Stingrays after being released by Wheeling Nailers, where he played in his rookie year, a coach worked with him to shoot the puck more often and it’s improved his game tenfold.

The 24-year old will likely get an spc to finish out the regular season in the upper league.

Original story: 2/18-14

He never received a full-on deal for the current year, staying on a tryout option with the team even though he ended the season playing in 51 games scoring 9 goals and 7 assists with a -13 rating on a squad that mostly struggled to win.

Nearly the conclusion of the regular schedule though, his confident and reliable play earned him a contract with the Sound Tigers for 2014/2015.

He would attend New York Islanders‘ training camp on an invite but was released early and through his second stint in southern Connecticut played a career high 71 games with the exact same point and plus/minus results of the previous campaign.

One stat did however jump in his game, he more than doubled his penalty minutes to 102, up from 43, and went from 5 to 11 fighting majors.

With no contract going into his 5th pro season, the now 26-year old signs another AHL agreement with Chicago Wolves for 2015/2016.

15Aug

Barry Almeida(19) Utah Grizzlies

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After winning the 2012 NCAA Hockey Championship as an alternate captain with Boston College Eagles, undrafted forward Barry Almeida(19) signed an ato to join Hershey Bears for the remainder of the regular season and quite possibly their Calder Cup Playoffs‘ run.

In his first game, the last of the 2011/2012 AHL regular season, with his new team on his first shift, he scored his first pro goal on his first shot. He should have probably played the lottery on Sunday too.

The 23-year old is another small player entry at only 5’8″ 175 lbs. but looks to have the ability to adapt. Couldn’t hurt for the Caps to continue the look with an invite to rookie camp this summer.

Original story: 4/16-12

Although he wouldn’t appear in any playoff match-ups, as the season concluded Hershey Bears was quick to offer him a one-year minor league contract.

His playing time in his rookie season was split equally between the AHL and on reassignment to affiliate Reading Royals.

In 35 games with the Bears he scored 6 goals and 8 assists, while in 27 ECHL contests he had close to point-per-game production at 10 tallies and 14 helpers.

He also skated 15 Kelly Cup Playoff games (4 goals, 2 assists) en route to his first pro title and his sixth overall.

He was signed late in the off-season by Milwaukee Admirals and attended parent club Nashville Predators‘ training camp but before 2013/2014 started he would be sent down to Cincinnati Cyclones, where he remained for the duration.

Through 47 games he would pot a decent 11 goals and 15 assists, then be on yet another squad that would make it all the way to the Kelly Cup Finals before their exit.

For his third pro year he signed left for Sweden’s Division 1 on a deal with Kallinge-Ronneby IF but before ever skating a game decided to return and inked for 2014/2015 with Utah Grizzlies.

In 55 games he would reach a new career high for assists (27) and points (40) but did not appear in the playoffs.

The soon-to-be 27-year has decided to stay with Utah for his 4th pro season.

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.

13Aug

Danick Gauthier(81) Wichita Thunder

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Tampa Bay Lightning rookie center Danick Gauthier(81) went undrafted but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t well sought after.

He signed a handsome three-year entry level deal after back-to-back junior hockey titles and a Memorial Cup win with Saint John Sea Dogs.

His numbers in his final year were more than a point per game.

The 6’2″ 210 lbs. forward started his pro career with minor league affiliate Syracuse Crunch but has also found himself to be a healthy scratch probably more than he wanted, playing 30 AHL games with 5 goals and 2 assists.

Recently reassigned to ECHL farm team Florida Everblades, he spent 10 days down south and pocketed 3 goals and 3 assists in 5 games.

The 21-year old has been recalled and needs to put up some numbers like he did in the lower league as the team edges closer to clinching a playoff berth.

Original story: 3/17-13

He would finish his first season with 5 goals and 5 assists in 38 games but was not inserted into the lineup for any playoff contests despite the team making it all the way to the 2013 Calder Cup Finals.

To open his sophomore campaign he would start with Florida Everblades and stayed there a month before getting the nod to come back up.

He ended splitting time between the two clubs but spent more time in the lower league.

In the final year of his contract, he once again was sent south at the onset of the season but only stayed for a few appearances before being summoned for three games, then dispatched to Wichita Thunder, where he started to bloom.

He would go on to score a career high 30 goals and 40 assists for 70 points, all team leading, with a -3 rating in 69 ECHL games. He would also put up a crazy 250 shots on net.

For 2015/2016, he’ll turn just 24-years old as the new season starts and re-signed with the Thunder hoping to continue his scoring surge.

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