Tagged: Muskegon Lumberjacks

chad-costello

4th year pro, undrafted forward Chad Costello(38) was lighting up the ECHL with Colorado Eagles before Springfield Falcons called him up to the AHL.

At the time of his promotion, he led the league in scoring with 16 goals and 32 assists in 30 games.

In four games, signed to a pto with the Falcons playing limited ice time, he failed to register any points before being released.

He wasted no time picking up where he left off in the lower league, as he exploded for a hat trick and added an assist in his first game back with the Eagles.

Despite missing a couple weeks of play, he still leads the ECHL in scoring by eight points.

He’s not exactly the biggest guy out there at 5’9″ 170 lbs but has worked hard and earned his way up through the ranks. He started as a rookie in the ill-fated IHL before moving on to a couple of seasons in the Central Hockey League and this season at age 25 to the ECHL for 2011/2012.

Original story: 1/13-12

Heading into his 8th season after finishing off an unreal first year with Allen Americans that saw him claim his first ECHL scoring title with a mind-boggling 125 points, including a fifth all-time 84 assists and tied for league second 41 goals with a +43 rating, he will stay put and look to win another title.

He was also named to the first team All-Star squad and won the 2015 Championship. He wound up scoring 9 goals and 19 assists in 25 postseason contests and fired an absolutely crazy 234 shots on net in a complete 72-game schedule.

This all came after an injury-plagued 2013/2014 that saw him play in only 14 games first for St. Charles Chill, then Ontario Reign.

He stayed on for two stints with Colorado Eagles but was recalled and signed by Bridgeport Sound Tigers for most of his second campaign only rejoining the team for its short playoff bid.

His totals of 3 tallies and 9 helpers in 21 AHL games showed he could compete in the higher level of hockey. He also got his first 4 assists on recall with Worcester Sharks in late 2011/2012.

At 28-years old he’s likely not going to be slowing down his scoring touch any time soon but it remains to be seen if he will score another recall considering his veteran status.

We could easily see him finishing out his career in a few years over in Europe and still putting up big numbers.

Steve-MacIntyre2

Norfolk Admirals‘ absolutely huge 6’5″ 250 lbs. 13th year veteran left wing Steve MacIntyre(74) has seemingly taken his demotion to Utah Grizzlies of the ECHL for the first time since 2006 in stride this late in his pro career.

He actually played the next season 2006/2007 in the old UHL with Quad City Mallards, who maybe ironically are now playing their games in the same league.

His brick wall, tough guy style and persistent attitude helped take his game to the next level when in 2007/2008 he skated a full AHL season with Providence Bruins.

It would be the last time he put up over 200 penalty minutes in a season and although he threw fists 18 times, that was easily the most fights in a campaign he’d ever settled.

Edmonton Oilers took notice and grabbed him off waivers from Florida Panthers, who reclaimed him a year later.

He would play games mostly in Alberta, but he also got some time with Pittsburgh Penguins.

The 34-year old skated last season with Oklahoma City Barons but only appeared in 11 games.

He’s been held pointless for at least the last three years.

It’s pretty likely that if he wants to still play the sport he will take his game to England next and be a hero.

Undrafted 5th year center Alec Kirschner(17) has worked his way through the ranks from low double A in the former IHL, a few games in Central Hockey League and 36 games over the last couple of seasons in the single A, Federal Hockey League with Danbury Whalers to scoring another contract with Elmira Jackals of the ECHL for 2012/2013.

The 5’10” 180 lbs. forward has easily proven he’s far too skilled for FHL with 46 goals and 38 assists or a pair of points per game player with a combined +47 plus/minus rating. The soon-to-be 26 year old  is deserving of a shot in the higher league despite only posting a pair of assists in 32 games with Wheeling Nailers and the Jackals.

But still it’s an interesting team re-signing of a player on the cusp for what will be a more competitive season than usual.