Tagged: NLA

Ronalds-Kenins

Vancouver Canucks‘ undrafted Lativian-born rookie forward Ronalds Kenins(41) is certainly showing the parent club that he’s made to be there since being recalled from minor league affiliate Utica Comets just over a month ago. He left with 5 goals, 8 assists with a +7 rating in 36 AHL games.

In his first big league game he failed to get a point but by his second appearance he got his first point, an assist.

He added another helper in his next contest and by his seventh game he had 3 assists and scored his first NHL goal.

The 6′ 201 lbs. power forward added another pair of assists in his 9th shot on the ice against New York Rangers no less.

In 14 games he has 3 goals and 7 assists with a +2 rating.

Before arriving here to play, he already had three years of pro experience in the Swiss elite NLA with ZSC and won two league championships. His three previous years were playing in the NLB, second tier in Switzerland, so that’s 6 total.

At 24, he’s a bit older than most first year players and plays like his been competing at this level for awhile, yet it’s only his debut at the highest level of hockey.

What’s apparent about his style is he plays a complete game and skates like he’s loaded with a stick of dynamite.

Matt Lashoff

9th year defenseman Matt Lashoff(5) came home from one year in Switzerland’s top league, NLA, one in Sweden’s SHL and part of this season with Metallurg Novokuznetsk of the KHL.

His best showing was a few years ago with ZSC of the Swiss Elite League, where he got a goal and 9 assists but easily short of what was expected when he came across the pond.

The former Boston Bruins‘ 1st round pick in the 2005 draft (#22 overall) has only played 74 NHL games (for three teams: Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs being the other two) scoring one goal and 15 assists, which is decently offense-minded but he’s also owns a -15 rating.

In 5 AHL seasons the 6’2: 205 lbs. blue liner has always been a 20+ point scorer and even had a pair of campaigns with 30+ numbers.

He had 47 points in 56 OHL games in 2006, his 3rd and final year with Kitchener Rangers before turning pro.

The only 28-year old signed a standard contract to join Bridgeport Sound Tigers and give the young squad some more veteran leadership.

He’s only appeared in two games thus far with one assist and a -2 but if given the opportunity could likely contribute on a regular basis with the team and help them into a Calder Cup berth.

pascal-pelletier

Undrafted 10th year center Pascal Pelletier(23) returned to North American hockey signing a one-year two-way deal with Vancouver Canucks for 2013/2014.

He spent the last three seasons in the Swiss elite league NLA, skating games for SCL Tigers, putting up close to point-per-game numbers.

The strong skating, stocky 5’11” 196 lbs. forward was reassigned to expansion team Utica Comets and set a new career high assists with 40 in 69 AHL games.

His 62 points were also second highest of his pro career.

He appeared in 3 games with the parent club but failed to hit the score sheet.

He’s played 16 total NHL games but has not registered a point.

Mirco Mueller

San Jose Sharks‘ 1st round pick in the 2013 draft (#18 overall), towering 6’4″ 195 lbs. Swiss0-born defenseman Mirco Mueller(41) skated in his first North American pro game on reassignment with minor league affiliate Worcester Sharks.

In his AHL debut he got his first point, the primary assist, when he launched a shot from the point that was tipped in by a teammate for the game-winning goal.

He signed a 3-year entry level contract before the start of the 2013/2014 season but returned for a second run in the WHL with Everett Silvertips. In his two years with the team he posted almost identical numbers including a pair of 20+ assist campaigns.

As a 17-year old he also skated in 7 games in the NLA with Kloten scoring a goal before he headed across the pond.

Now just 19, he will get his chance to crack the NHL lineup as a teenager.

Montreal Canadiens‘ undrafted, 4th year, Czech/Swiss goaltender, Robert Mayer(29) only has the remainder of 2012/2013 on his three-year entry level contract and has announced before the season is even over that his opportunity to continue his pro career is better served by splitting the country for Switzerland’s NLA.

Seeing increasing less light to get any playing time in the NHL, the 23-year old signed a two-year deal with EHC Biel. He’s been recalled but only to be the backup goalie.

He’s played 81 games with Hamilton Bulldogs of the AHL and posted so-so numbers on what have been so-so performing teams that has consistently failed to make the playoffs.

In his rookie season, almost exclusively skating in the ECHL with Cincinnati Cyclones, he produced good numbers, but when he got to the Kelly Cup Playoffs he literally shut the door going 6-0-1 with a 1.54 GAA and .938 SV% that included 3 shutouts. He was named co-MVP with his fellow net minder, who he split time throughout the postseason.

He may go “home” and come back a whole number kind of player. But we’ll see.

Robert Mayer

 

 

Once again it’s time for soon to be 14 year veteran goalie David Aebischer(1) to go home to Switzerland, joining a new team in the NLA, Rapperswil-Jona Lakers.

While he didn’t earn a contract with Winnipeg Jets, the team he came back to North America on a tryout agreement to hopefully sign with, the 34-year old was offered an AHL deal, took it  and did pretty well with their minor league affiliate St. John’s IceCaps running a 15-12 record with a 2.86 GAA and an .895 GAA and helping the team to the Calder Cup Eastern Conference Finals in their debut season.

Got to say it was still pretty cool seeing the former Colorado Avalanche 6th round pick in the 1997 draft (#161 overall) play when the IceCaps were in town and he got the start in net. He has played in 214 NHL games with a 106 wins to 74 loss record.