Tagged: Laredo Bucks

It’s a bit of a wonder that 7th year pro goaltender Dov Grumet-Morris(1) didn’t sign with at least an AHL team in the offseason after posting solid numbers for Connecticut Whale in 22 games last season (13 wins against 5 losses, 2.12 GAA and .923 SV%).

But seemingly no one bit, until recently when the first team he tended net for in the league along his journeyman career would come calling once again.

San Antonio Rampage signed him to a standard player contract, a scenario he’s a bit unfamiliar with in his time spent with 10 different teams in North American hockey. Only his two seasons overseas had him on one team for the duration, but otherwise it’s been mostly pto’s for the former star goalie at Harvard University.

The Whale did eventually sign him to a contract last year but he was third wheel as soon as their starters were healthy. The Rampage are in a similar pickle.

He posted a 5-0 shutout in his first game. It’s a wonder that he has yet to appear in the NHL.

For a third straight season 2005 Phoenix Coyotes 2nd round pick (#59 overall), Pier-Oliver Pelletier(31) signed to tend net in the Central Hockey League. He’s under contract for 2011/2012 with Evansville IceMen soon after having his signing rights traded to them by Laredo Bucks, the team he’d spent his rookie and 2nd year with.

He played in one game in ’10/’11 with Connecticut Whale on call-up but didn’t fair too well. He still may get more AAA looks next season.


Undrafted center Michael Swift(16) comes off a disappointing 3rd pro season, being traded from Albany to Worcester in a minor league deal, as an unrestricted free agent. His signing options seemed somewhat limited with another team, which is surprising because just one year ago with Lowell Devils he looked to be breaking out and have good potential as a small-sized (5’9″) but skilled goal scorer.

What a difference a year makes. He skips the country and joins High 1 (along with Oren Eizenman) in the Asian League Ice Hockey for 2011/2012.

He’s still fairly young at age 24 and I would expect to see Swifty back in North America with another AHL team after a year or so away.

 


Central Hockey League
‘s newest team, Evansville Icemen recently signed 6’5″ 235lbs of grit in Mike Sgroi(17) for the upcoming season.

A 12-year veteran, he usually finds himself playing for multiple minor league teams each season, either with call-ups or trades for his services. In 2008-2009, he played games for no less than 6 teams in the AHL and ECHL (Syracuse Crunch, Binghamton Senators, Norfolk Admirals, Johnstown Chiefs, Utah Grizzlies, Elmira Jackals).

Last season, seeming out of nowhere, he signed a pto with Bridgeport Sound Tigers and appeared in a couple of games at the end of the season registering no points and more surprisingly no penalty minutes.