12th year defenseman Olivier Magnan(2) signs on for a 6th year with Dornbirner EC of EBEL, a team he’s been with since 2012/2013, his second season away from North American hockey.
Originally a New Jersey Devils‘ 5th round pick in the 2006 draft (#148 overall), he spent the first five years of his pro career in their system, mostly playing games for Lowell Devils with one campaign with Albany Devils, when they moved before he was let go as an unrestricted free agent.
It was almost a bit ironic that he skated 18 NHL games in 2010/2011 before being released (0 points, -4 rating).
Maybe the thought was they didn’t want to go to arbitration or negotiate a new deal.
The big 6’2″ 201 lbs. blue liner left for Serie A joining Val Pusteria, where he posted his best scoring totals with 5 goals and 21 assists in 39 games.
At 31-years old, he has settled nicely into a place he’s comfortable and may just continue with the squad until he’s ready to return to Sherbrook, QC.
Olivier Magnan(2) Albany Devils
Fifth year pro Olivier Magnan(2), originally drafted by New Jersey in 2006, earned his first call-up to the NHL this season.
He played 18 games without scoring but must have shown them something to last that long on a team that is troubled at best.