Tagged: Hobey Baker

Corban-Knight

Calgary Flames‘ 2nd year center Corban Knight(10) has already found himself happily involved in the parents’ club early season recalls after his hot start with minor league affiliate Adirondack Flames, where he’s recorded 5 goals and 3 assists in 16 AHL games.

He recently appeared in his first pair of games of 2014/2015, getting 10 shifts in each contest with just over 6 minutes total ice time and was fantastic in the face off dot, although was held without a point.

Originally a Florida Panthers‘ 5th round pick in the 2009 draft (#135 overall), he was obtained by Calgary in an off season trade before he even got out of the gate.

The 6’2″ 195 lbs. forward was a strong skater in four years at University of North Dakota posting at least a point-per-game average in his last three seasons, winning consecutive NCAA/WCHA Championships from 2010-2012 and being named a Hobey Baker Award finalist as a senior.

He managed to continue his strong play upon turning pro on reassignment with then farm club, Abbotsford Heat finishing his rookie campaign in the top five scoring (18-27-45).

The now 24-year old also got the nod for his first NHL action and potted his first big league goal in 7 games.

He was recently sent back to Adirondack but it proved to be more of a paper transaction and he was once again summoned mid-trip and back in the lineup, although marked as healthy scratch, for now.

Even though he’s at the end of his 2-year entry level contract and set to become a restricted free agent at the conclusion of this season, if he can start to produce may stay where he is.

Original story: 11/28-14

Dealt in a mid-season transaction that sent him back to draft team Florida Panthers he was reassigned to affiliate San Antonio Rampage, where he stayed for the remainder of the regular season and skated in all three playoff contests scoring one goal.

He concluded 2014/2015 with 16 goals and 20 assists in 58 AHL games with a +2 rating.

Going into restricted free agency, the Panthers signed him up for another season on a two-way deal.

Set to turn 25-years old just before the start of the forthcoming season, he may start with Portland Pirates, the new affiliate of his new team but if turns up the scoring early again could find himself as part of an early recall.

Louie Caporusso

3rd year left wing Louie Caporusso(11) signs a one-year contract with 2013 Kelly Cup ChampionsReading Royals for 2013/2014.

He was originally an Ottawa Senators‘ 3rd round pick in the 2007 draft (#90 overall) and played a couple of seasons with minor league affiliates Binghamton Senators and Elmira Jackals.

In 36 AHL games he scored a single goal with 5 assists, which isn’t that amazing but in 70 ECHL match-ups he’s a point-per-game guy at 35 goals and 42 assists with a +20 rating. He continued on that scoring tear in 6 playoff games, getting a pair of tallies and 6 helpers.

The small looking 5’10” 200 lbs. forward was also a sniper in four years of NCAA hockey at University Of Michigan posting 68 goals and 76 assists in 160 games with an outstanding +48 plus/minus.

At still only 24 years old the former Hobey Baker Award finalist will be added to an already deep talent pool and definitely help the Royals defend their title in the upcoming campaign.

Original story: 8/16-13

After attending a week of Worcester Sharks‘ training camp, he reported back to Reading to start the season and once again was putting up lots of points (7-21-28 in 24 games) before deciding halfway through to split overseas and skate the remainder of the campaign with Augsburger Panther of DEL, where he continued on a similar tear.

He resigned with the team for another year and although his production slipped slightly he was still connecting with the net on a regular basis finishing 2014/2015 with 15 goals, 23 assists in 47 games.

For his 5th pro season, he signs on with the enemy, agreeing to play for Iserlohn Roosters and at only 25-years old he’s probably still just getting started.

Daniel-Carr2

Montreal Canadiens‘ undrafted rookie left wing Daniel Carr(11) plays a full on energy style that leaves it all on the ice after every shift.

The generously listed 6′ 189 lbs. forward won the 2014 NCAA Championship with underdog success story Union College and was leading scorer. He posted his college best 22 goals and 28 assists for 50 points in 38 games but in a deep field didn’t come away with a Hobey Baker nominee nod despite point-per-game efforts through four years of Division 1 school hockey and also winning three straight ECAC titles before taking it all.

He continues on a scoring tear as a first year pro. In 70 AHL games with affiliate Hamilton Bulldogs, he leads rookie scoring with 22 goals and has 12 assists for 34 points with a +13 rating on a team that scores as much as it’s scored upon.

The 23-year old signed a two-year entry level contract that keeps him in the system through next season. He’ll need to continue to prove his mettle but he definitely has it and could become a scary presence around the net in the show.

Nic-Dowd2

Los Angeles Kings‘ 7th round pick in the 2009 draft rookie center Nic Dowd(26) was selected after his well-played 1st year of US junior hockey in the NAHL with Wenatchee Wild.

He virtually mirrored his debut performance in his next season of USHL with Indiana Ice before heading off to St. Cloud State University.

It took the 6’2″ 196 lbs. forward a couple of years to pick up the pace but by his last two campaigns, serving as team captain as a senior, he was back up to point-per-game production.

For his efforts he was named a Hobey Baker Award finalist.

Upon completion of his college playing days, he signed a one-year entry level deal and was assigned immediately to join affiliate Manchester Monarchs.

In 7 AHL games he posted three assists and added his first pro goal in 4 postseason contests.

After a strong showing in training camp he was one of the final cuts to be sent down and got right to work. Through 58 games he has 5 goals and a healthy 23 helpers.

The 24-year old from the unlikely hockey home of Huntsville, AL leads his team in rookie scoring with 28 points and assists.

He still awaits his first NHL recall but his tenacious playing style and good size probably put him in line sooner than later.

Ryan-Walters2

Iowa Wild‘s undrafted rookie left wing Ryan Walters(15) has been virtually a point-per-game performer while on reassignment with Alaska Aces.

In 26 ECHL games he scored 10 goals and 13 assists.

The 2013 Hobey Baker Award Finalist needed to regain the scoring confidence that had him net 22 goals and 30 assists in his third year and another 27 helpers in his final campaign at University Of Nebraska-Omaha.

The 6′ 190 lbs. power forward was also a bit of a sniper for two years in the USHL with Des Moines Buccaneers.

Without a contract for his first season, he signed an ato to join Bridgeport Sound Tigers after his college career wrapped up.

He skated 11 games potting his first pro goal and added a pair of assists on a very young squad.

As an invite to Minnesota Wild training camp the inner state native did all he could to stay on the radar.

The 23-year was sent down under the watchful eye of the parent club and ultimately inked a one-year AHL standard player contract.

He was recently recalled and in 16 games he has a goal and 5 assists, which is pretty good, but easily more is expected of this prospect.

Shayne GostisbeherePhiladelphia Flyers‘ 3rd round pick in the 2012 draft (#78 overall) mini-smart defenseman Shayne Gotisbehere(14) had pretty much going his way because of the hard work and consistently aware game he plays.

He was a late cut from training camp and started what may not actually become his rookie season on reassignment to affiliate Lehigh Valley Phantoms putting up some handsome numbers right away, 5 assists in 5 AHL games.

The generously listed 5’11” 170 lbs. blue liner also received his first NHL recall and even though he was returned with a -2 plus/minus he was part of two team wins vs Detroit and Los Angeles.

Approximately 10 days into his  joining the farm team for more seasoning, he was hit into the boards awkwardly going around the net and looked to get his leg caught a bit too much behind him as he slid down.

The prognosis was a torn acl, requiring surgery and his return is listed as indefinite.

When and if he does return, possibly some time in the Spring, maybe for any potential playoff runs but both teams aren’t exactly in that running at the moment.

The 21-year old former Union College assistant captain, 2014 NCAA Champion, Hobey Baker finalist, World Junior Gold Medalist is most definitely highly touted from his three-year career at school (averaged 7 goals, 20 assists) and will be sorely missed especially on on the farm team.

Signed through 2017 on a three-year entry level deal, he should come back stronger and probably will only be looking at plane rides in his future.

Troy Grosenick

San Jose Sharks‘ undrafted rookie net minder Troy Grosenick(1) is off to a formidable start to his pro career.

Originally slated to be the back-up goalie with minor league affiliate Worcester Sharks, he’s stepped it up in each appearance to be on somewhat of a rotating start schedule.

In 9 AHL games he has a 5-3 record with a 2.01 GAA and .922 SV%. He also has one shutout and 3 shootout wins.

The 6’1″ 185 lbs. backstop had great success in a pair of seasons at Union College winning ECAC Championships both seasons with a league best GAA and SV% in his first year, along with being voted Goaltender Of The Year and was a Hobey Baker Award Finalist.

He’s initially signed a 1-year entry level deal at the end of 2012/2013 and a few months later that was quickly upped another two seasons with an extension, which will keep him in the system through 2015.

The 24-year old has surprised folks at every level and there’s enough reason to think he’ll continue the pattern.

Danny Kristo

Rookie right wing Danny Kristo(29) is off to a hot start with his pro career.

In 9 AHL games with Hartford Wolf Pack he already has 6 goals and 3 assists, which basically picks up where he left off at University Of North Dakota.

Through four years, he put up 68 goals and 93 assists in 157 games, good for just over a point-per-game.

He also was a part of three straight NCAA Championship teams, won a gold medal with USA at the World Juniors and on a personal level was a Hobey Baker Award finalist.

The 5’11” 185 lbs. forward was originally a Montreal Canadiens‘ 2nd round draft pick and played 9 games signed to an ato with their minor league affiliate Hamilton Bulldogs at the end of last season. He tallied three helpers in the stint.

He inked to a two-year entry level deal but at the start of free agency he found himself switching jerseys and headed to New York Rangers.

The 23-year old definitely has smooth hands for scoring and play-making and also possesses a bit of a grinder mentality to his game despite his smaller size.

He should realize his first NHL recall sooner than later and will probably stick as soon as he gets a chance.

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.

kyle-flanagan-1

Undrafted, center Kyle Flanagan(39) signed a conservative one-year entry level deal with Philadelphia Flyers upon completing is final season of college hockey at St. Lawrence University.

He was a Hobey Baker Award top ten finalist as top college player for 2012/2013 and finished the year as top scorer in the NCAA.

The diminutive 5’9″ 180 lbs. forward was more than a point-per-game skater in his final two seasons posting a career highs in goals, assists and points in his final campaign.

He picks up where he left off starting his pro career on an ato with minor league affiliate Adirondack Phantoms.

In his debut, the 24-year old notched an assist and scored his first pro tally a few games later, while adding to his helpers total for 5 points in 5 contests.

He’s quick and has a knack for the net but like any smaller sized player will have to find the open areas of the ice to continue his effectiveness.

Regardless, he’s off to a great start.