Philadelphia Flyers‘ 6th year defenseman Will O’Neill(45) realized his 1st NHL game in the 2nd year of his 2-year deal at age 29.
He spent the first pair of his years in draft club Winnipeg Jets‘ system primarily with affiliate St. John’s IceCaps before moving on as an unrestricted free agent to a year under contract to Pittsburgh Penguins.
The almost unassumingly decently-sized blue liner played a career high 74 AHL games scoring a best 42 assists and 50 points for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
In his debut he skated 12 shifts for 9:25 of total ice with 3 shots on net in a 2-0 win.
He’s since been returned to affiliate Lehigh Valley Phantoms and will no doubt continue to help them win.
Will O’Neill(23) St. John’s IceCaps
2nd year defenseman Will O’Neill(23) signed a 1-year entry level deal for 2012/2013 with Winnipeg Jets after completing his college playing career at University Of Maine, where he was team captain and had a knack for feeding scoring chances.
He was originally an Atlanta Thrashers‘ 7th round pick back in 2006 (#210 overall) before he started a couple of seasons in the USHL, American junior hockey with Omaha Lancers.
The 6’1″ 205 lbs. blue liner played 59 games with AHL affiliate St. John’s IceCaps last season, scoring 3 goals and 18 assists. He had also joined them on an ato to finish out 2011/2012 and notched his first professional hockey tally.
Heading into the new year, the 25-year was set to become an unrestricted free agent.
The IceCaps took care of that inking him to a one-year contract to stay with the team. He could also score himself an invite to the parent club’s training camp.