Tagged: University Of Notre Dame

NHL: DEC 15 Lightning at PenguinsPittsburgh Penguins‘ 3rd round pick in the 2010 draft (#80 overall) right wing Bryan Rust(36) is having himself a fun and fantastic rookie run.

Despite having a great pair of final campaigns in college at University Of Notre Dame (32 goals, 35 assists in 81 games), he was an early cut from training camp and looked ready to start his pro career with a full season skating for affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

The solid 5’11” 192 lbs. forward pretty much picked up where he left off after school putting in 10 goals and 4 assists (puck hog) in the first 25 games of the AHL season.

With the flu and injury bug shaking up the parent club’s lineup the farm team’s leading scorer received his first recall but was up and back in an overnight.

It was for his second summons a week later that he’d get his skates wet.

He was used sparingly in his debut appearance picking up a double minor roughing penalty but for his second game he came to play and popped his first NHL goal while skating 16 shifts for 10:54 total ice time and even was out there for close to a minute on the power play.

In all likelihood the still super-young 22-year old graduate will likely be returned but he’s picking up some amazing valuable experience being up so quickly and probably soaking it all in as he’s not a restricted free agent until the end of 2016.

Nick Larson2nd year right wing Nick Larson(17) has decided to take his game overseas, joining HC Banska Bystrica of the Slovakian league for 2014/2015.

He was originally a Calgary Flames‘ 4th round pick in the 2008 draft (#108 overall) but was never signed.

Instead he become an unrestricted free agent upon completion of four years at University Of Notre Dame. He signed an ato with Peoria Rivermen, where in 5 games he he went pointless.

The 6’2″ 200 lbs. forward put up ok numbers in college but was much better at putting the puck in the net through a pair of campaigns in USHL junior hockey with Waterloo Blackhawks.

To start his rookie season he eventually signed a two-way deal with Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

He was reassigned to ECHL affiliate Stockton Thunder to begin the year and was quickly recalled.

Through 17 AHL games he scored 4 goals and 2 assists with a +5 rating but to failed to stick on the young squad and was eventually sent back down a couple of months later.

He was later loaned to South Carolina Stingrays to play out the season and almost ironically started to regain his scoring touch, putting in 7 goals and 2 assists in 23 games.

It’s almost surprising that the 24-year old decided to take his game to another country but maybe a fresh start is what he needs to move up the ranks.

He was rumored to have inked a deal with Orlando Solar Bears but decided to jump ship.

Anders Lee (9)

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New York Islanders‘ 6th round pick in the 2009 draft (#152 overall) left wing Anders Lee(9) played a pair of NHL games fresh off finishing up his third season at University Of Notre Dame that culminated in an NCAA (CCHA) Championship.

He scored his first big league goal and added an assist in his debut.

Also very close to a point per game player in college hockey, he scored 61 goals and 55 assists in 125 games with a monstrous +33 rating.

The rangy 6’3″ 225 lbs. forward was unable to find his roster spot with the parent club to start his rookie campaign and reassigned to minor league affiliate Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

In his first 16 AHL games he has a mighty 6 goals and 7 assists out of the gate.

One would have to think if a spot opens up on the Islanders‘ lineup due to injury, the just turned 21-year old has to be on a short list for a recall.