Tagged: Mastercard Memorial Cup

02Nov

Kenny Ryan(25) Lake Erie Monsters

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Kenny Ryan4th year unrestricted free agent right wing Kenny Ryan(25) was offered a training camp invite via Colorado Avalanche but was released pretty early in the running.

He wound up reporting to their minor league affiliate Lake Erie Monsters‘ camp and earned his way onto their opening night roster, so at the very least he’s signed to a pto (for now).

The former Toronto Maple Leafs‘ 2nd round pick in the 2009 draft (#50 overall) skated three years in their system but never seemed to materialize.

Through 125 AHL games, he scored a not so dynamic 15 goals and 23 assists with their minor league affiliate Toronto Marlies.

In 23 Calder Cup Playoff games the 6′ 200 lbs. forward added a goal and four helpers with a promising +5 rating.

He certainly comes from a place where he’s been a winner and able to put the puck in the net on a regular basis playing a pair of seasons with Windsor Spitfires of the OHL and capturing both the OHL Championship and Memorial Cup in the same year ’09/’10, and before that two years in the NAHL development with U.S. National Team.

The 23-year old is off to a career year start posting 3 goals and 2 assists with a +3 plus/minus is 8 games.

With stats that good, he may just play himself into another NHL contract.

23Oct

Jonathan Drouin(27) Tampa Bay Lightning

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Jonathan DruinTampa Bay Lightning 1st round pick in the 2013 draft (#3 overall) left wing Jonathan Drouin(27) played a pair of AHL games for minor league affiliate Syracuse Crunch after breaking his thumb early in training camp workouts and getting reassigned to start his pro career.

He scored the game-winning goal in his debut and added a pair of assists the next night. He also had a +4 rating.

That was all the parent club needed to see before he was recalled to the NHL.

He was scheduled to be a healthy scratch after a long day of travel but was inserted into the lineup and skating 22 shifts for 16:01 of total ice time with a -1 in a 3-2 loss.

The next night he added to his totals, recorded his first big league point, an assist and came away with a +1 in an overtime victory.

At only 5’11” 186 lbs. he is thought of as the whole package.

He recorded over 100 points in his last two seasons of the QMJHL with Halifax Mooseheads, where he won a Memorial Cup and league championship in his second season.

The 19-year is poised to have an outstanding rookie campaign on a team stacked with offensive talent.

28May

Jared Knight(87) Boston Bruins

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Boston Bruins‘ 2nd round pick in the 2010 draft (#32 overall) right wing Jared Knight(87) finished up his junior career with a trip to the Mastercard Memorial Cup Finals with his team, OHL’s London Knights. He had a few chances to put the game into either the lead or win column but was unable to put it by a red-hot goalie.

He was signed to a 3-year entry level deal before the 2011/2012 season but was sent back to juniors for his fourth season out of training camp.

The 5’11” 195 lbs. forward will be in Bruins’ Prospect and full training camps again before in all likelihood starting his pro slate with Providence. He appeared in the three games with them at the end of 2011 and picked up a pair of assists.

While not exactly the biggest guy out there, the 20-year old plays with a ton of spirit and determination that he’s bound to fight for a spot on the big club before too long.