Colorado Avalanche 10th year defenseman Nate Guenin(5) was on quite the little journey through the minors before landing in his current home of the last three seasons.
Prior to signing a one-year deal as an unrestricted free agent, then re-upping for another two he spent his first full season in the AHL as captain of Anaheim Ducks‘ affiliate Norfolk Admirals.
That situation was probably a wake-up call the aging d-man needed to put that little extra into his game to become a full-time player in the big league.
Previously he’d played a smattering of NHL games with his first team of three years Philadelphia Flyers, then one in Pittsburgh Penguins‘ organization, half a season for Columbus Blue Jackets before almost another 3 with the Ducks.
He was originally a New York Rangers‘ 4th round pick in the 2002 draft (#127 overall) but never signed.
A veteran of 205 games in the show and 441 in the minors, he’s never put up outstanding numbers, instead the 6’3″ 207 lbs. blue liner plays mostly a punishing presence in his own zone holding down a career +7 rating up and +28 when on reassignment.
At 33-years old he could be given another season to stay put but may also be released. In 29 games he has no points and has been in and out of the lineup as a healthy scratch.
Nate Guenin(7) Syracuse Crunch/Anaheim Ducks
5th year pro Nate Guenin(7) was traded to Anaheim/Syracuse from Columbus/Springfield in a minor league deal at the start of 2011 but did not see playing time in the NHL with the Ducks after 3 games in 2010 with the Blue Jackets.
He was recently called up to practice with the team for Anaheim’s playoff run and could be called upon to play, although that seems a bit doubtful.