Tagged: Augsburger Panther

09Oct

Spencer Machacek (17)

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Spencer Machacek

After attending both Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Marlies‘ training camps on invites, 7th year unrestricted free agent, veteran right wing Spencer Machacek(17) was having a hard time finding a new hockey home.

He was released from his tryout agreement with the AHL team just before the beginning of the new season but did manage to quickly find a landing spot overseas in the German elite league DEL with Augsburger Panther.

In a pair of games he already has his first point, an assist.

Since leaving Winnipeg Jets‘ organization, where he was originally an Atlanta Thrashers‘ 3rd round pick in the 2007 draft (#67 overall) and stayed with them until a late season trade sent him to Columbus Blue Jackets‘ affiliate Springfield Falcons.

Signed to a one-year extension as a restricted free agent, he once again was dealt in late season move and found himself skating with Pittsburgh Penguins‘ farm club, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

They did not offer the 6’1″ 201 lbs. forward a contract to stay on.

In his first four seasons he pretty much averaged 30 helpers in each of his campaigns.

He also dominated on the score sheet in 3 years of junior hockey with Vancouver Giants, where he won a WHL Championship and a Memorial Cup.

It would be surprising if the 26-year old doesn’t become a top scorer where he is.

We shall see.

13Apr

Derek Whitmore(11)

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Derek Whitmore

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Undrafted 6th year left wing Derek Whitmore(11) was having problems fitting in to a veteran laden Hershey Bears‘ lineup after signing a one-year minor league contract with the team upon his return from a short, half season stint in Germany’s DEL skating for Augsburger Panther.

He did reasonably well overseas connecting for 9 goals and 14 assists in 26 games.

Loaned in a player swap at the trade deadline to Adirondack Phantoms, the 5’11” 185 lbs. forward has benefited, scoring almost as many points with his new squad in half the time.

He’s well off his 40+ point pace from 2010-2012 in Buffalo Sabres‘ affiliate system but given another full season workload could find the mark again.

29Aug

Chris Collins(21) Bakersfield Condors

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Chris Collin

8th year undrafted left wing Chris Collins(21) has bounced around a lot in his pro career.

He will don the jersey of his 10th team when the 2013/2014 campaign starts and he puts on a Bakersfield Condors‘ sweater.

The mini 5’8″ 186 lbs. forward finished up 2012/2013 with Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins appearing in 20 regular season and 13 playoff games. He scored a combined 3 goals and 6 assists but also left them with a -8 rating. It was his second stint with the organization. His AHL totals are 44-51 in 226 appearances.

He’s appeared in 144 contests overseas, mostly in the top German DEL and has really excelled on the bigger ice surfaces posting 51 markers and 66 helpers.

The 29-year old is also prolific in the ECHL, where he’ll once again skate in the upcoming season, so we expect him to help a team that has struggled the past couple of seasons as a leader in the locker room and on the score sheet. It’s possible that he could be selected as their captain.

He was a Hobey Baker Award finalist in his last year with Boston College Eagles, when he put up 1.5 points per game. His outstanding performance led to an NHL contract with Boston Bruins but skated only with their affiliates.