4th year towering 6’6″ 233 lbs. defenseman Steven Delisle(5) signed a one-year AHL contract for 2013/2014 with Adirondack Phantoms.
He was a healthy scratch for most of the start of the season but injuries to their top six d-men brought him into the lineup, where he’s been since late December.
Originally a Columbus Blue Jackets‘ 4th round pick in the 2008 draft (#104 overall), he spent the first campaign of his 3-year entry level deal on the sidelines with a recurring shoulder injury.
Available for most of his second season, he was mostly reassigned to then ECHL affiliate Chicago Express, skating in only six games with Springfield Falcons.
A minor piece of a major off-season trade that sent him to New York Rangers‘ prospect system, he was dished back to the Blue Jackets‘ organization later that same year.
Almost ironically he found a bit of a scoring touch for Greenville Road Warriors, where he put up career highs with 4 goals, 16 assists, 20 points and was an outstanding +23 plus/minus in 61 games. He was allowed to stay with them despite the transaction.
Given the opportunity and maybe a little more offensive-minded coaching the 23-year old could definitely be a key contributor to whatever team he signs with next.
Original story: 1/15-14
He finished 2013/2014 skating 50 games scoring one goal and three assists with a -10 rating.
It was a performance that earned him some loyalty as he would be brought back for a second stint with the newly named Lehigh Valley Phantoms, playing a career high 62 AHL games getting a new bests 2 goals, 12 assists for 14 points with 133 penalty minutes and 11 fighting majors to his credit.
He heads into his 6th pro season returning to familiar territory with Springfield Falcons for 2015/2016.
There’s no reason not to believe the now 25-year old will elevate his game yet again. He seems to be just starting to hit his stride.