Part 7: New Faces In The AHL And ECHL
Eric Politowski | WBS "Baby" Penguins
Sep 13, 12:04 PM | Hype this story!
We take a look at the newly acquired players that will play all or most of the year in the minor leagues, and which players received AHL camp invites.
Forwards
Jesse Boulerice
AHL Camp Invite
The 31-year-old overly aggressive pugilist from Plattsburgh, NY will be in Wilkes-Barre’s camp on a try-out only basis. He spent most of last year with the Lake Erie Monsters (AHL) and played in two games for the Edmonton Oilers. Many remember him for his 25-game suspension in 2007 for cross-checking Ryan Kesler in the head. He also nearly killed a man with a stick to the face in 1998 playing in the OHL. He was given a lifetime ban from junior hockey. If a few situations occur, this right winger could be signed to an AHL-only contract to protect the young players down there this season. Depends if Paul Bissonnette makes the NHL team, or if Aaron Boogaard is finally exiled to Wheeling.
Wade Brookbank
Two-Way Deal
Another 31-year-old heavyweight fighter, Brookbank brings more coveted toughness into the system and is a very hard working player that won’t back down from many. Much like Bissonnette, he started his career as a defenseman but plays the forward position most of the time. Last season, he began the year with the Carolina Hurricanes, but was eventually demoted and found time with the Norfolk Admirals (AHL). This signing moves Boogaard down in the depth chart, and don’t be surprised if he gets a call-up here and there, especially for Philadelphia/Toronto type games.
Chris Conner
Two-Way Deal
At age 25, we still consider this new signing from the Dallas Stars a prospect, and he could turn some heads this upcoming season. He could see some ample time on Pittsburgh’s fourth line this season barring injuries and what not. Last season, when he was called up to the NHL he impressed a lot of people there with his agility, quickness, and ability to shield the puck and score despite his small stature. Oh yeah, and he’ll hit anything.
Wyatt Smith
Two-Way Deal
Another depth signing, at 32 years of his age he is expected to bring a veteran presence and some leadership in what will be a young AHL locker room. To reiterate, knowing the Penguins there will most likely be some injuries, and Smith could also see a bit of fourth line time in the NHL, granted he has a strong training camp. He’s known as more of a defensive forward but last year he was putting the puck in the net pretty efficiently for the San Antonio Rampage (AHL). His last NHL stint was in 2007-2008, where he played 61 games for theColorado Avalanche, tallying 6 points (3 G, 3 A).
Colt King
AHL Camp-Invite
This 26-year-old power forward was drafted in 4th round of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft by Colorado. He spent his last six seasons in the ECHL, UHL, and most recently the CHL. Fans from the area considered him exciting to watch as he is always jawing with somebody or scoring a big goal. In 61 games with the Rocky Mountain Rage last season he scored 68 points (28 G, 40 A) along with 168 PIM. One fan even considered him, “One of the hardest hitters Ive ever seen.”
Defenseman
Nate Guenin
Two-Way Deal
Ray Shero has continued his quest to make sure a Pittsburgh native has been on the roster since Ryan Malone left town. Last year, it was Bill Thomas. This offseason, he brought in gritty defensive defenseman Nate Guenin from the Philadelphia organization. Most likely to be named Pittsburgh’s 7th or 8th D-man, the 26-year-old from Sewickley is considered another depth signing for the organization. Last season with the AHL Phantoms, he had 14 points in 62 games, along with 95 penalty minutes. Two of his assets are that he plays with a mean streak, and shoots right handed.
Jamie Hunt
NHL Camp Invite
The 25-year-old Calgary native defenseman was brought in on a try-out basis and will be in Penguins training camp. If he doesn’t make the NHL squad, he will join the Chicago Wolves (AHL) because he already has a contract in place with them. Meaning he will not end up in Wilkes-Barre. He’s a smart, steady D-man who spent last year with the Augsburg Panthers (DEL). He played for the Hershey Bears in 2007-2008 and they considered him one of their most reliable guys on the blueline. Chances are doubtful he will make the Penguins team, and is mostly in camp for competition purposes.
Chris Lee
Two-Way Deal
This 28-year-old D-man played last season with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (AHL) and scored 30 points in 66 games. A career AHL’er to this point in his career, it seems he will spend all of this upcoming year in Wilkes-Barre, showing the young defenseman the ins-and-outs of the professional game.
Dan Henningson
Minor League Contract
The Penguins announced that they had signed this 25-year-old undrafted rookie to a contract out of Quinnipiac (NCAA). He earned Team MVP honors there in his past two seasons, and was on a late season tryout basis with Lake Erie last season. He is considered an offensive defenseman, and its all but certain that he will play most, if not all of this season in Wheeling.
Goalies
Jordan Parise
NHL Camp Invite
The younger brother of New Jersey Devil Zach Parise will be coming to camp. The 26-year-old hybrid goaltender started his career in the USHL, and went on to play four solid years at the University of North Dakota (NCAA). In 2006-07 with Lowell Devils (AHL), he posted a .915 sv% and a 2.68 GAA. The next year was different, as he struggled, with a .889 sv% and 3.55 GAA. If he impresses, he could end up in Wheeling this year.
Comments
bag o' pucks
Sep 13, 02:12 PM
Bombulie just reported that Parise signed a two-way, AHL-ECHL deal with WB/S, so he’ll be playing in Wheeling. That’s six goalies with the franchise, good depth, plenty of competition. I see Berkhoel backing up Curry in WB/S and the Pens sending Thiessen to Wheeling to get starts with Parise there to push him. This is good, really the only guy who’s job is safe is Fleury’s. Everyone else has to fight for their playing time, that’s the way it should be.
bag o' pucks
Sep 13, 02:22 PM
Oh, and the first guy to get a shot to skate with Geno & Tenk? Tyler Kennedy.
Butt
Sep 13, 04:33 PM
What´s the deal with Zack Sill?
bag o' pucks
Sep 13, 06:47 PM
Sill is under contract with WB/S, so he’ll be in camp in Wilkes-Barre when that camp opens.
Pens1967
Sep 13, 08:17 PM
Boulerice is just a bad hockey citizen. Why Shero wants him is a head scratcher.
Malk
Sep 13, 10:21 PM
I don’t really know why they need or want Boulrice. I hope he is just a WBS camp filler.
Does anyone know if any of the Pens preseason games will be on local t.v. (Kdka, CW, FSN)? I know that NHL network is having 3 but are any on local t.v.?
bag o' pucks
Sep 14, 01:33 AM
People, what’s with all the hand-wringing over the tough guys? Godard and Rupp will play in Pittsburgh. Brookbank and Biss will play in WB/S. All four of them have earned reps as excellent character team/locker room guys, universally well-liked and appreciated by teammates. And Boogaard and Sill will play in Wheeling. That’s a very acceptable ratio of police throughout an organIzation.
No one else is under contract, they’re just in WB/S camp on try-outs. Schnell was invited to absorb some of the inevitable fights at the rookie tournament. He did his job, thankyaverymuch, and he’s expected to go back to juniors.
Boulerice and King may well have a dust up between themselves if they feel there’s a minor-league contract at stake. At any rate, they’ll at the very least absorb some of the fights in the AHL pre-season games. Biss isn’t 100%, just yet. It’s a good idea to invite Boulerice and King to take some of those meaningless pre-season bouts and give Biss another few weeks to get stronger.
If either Boulerice or King end up with an AHL deal, really, there’s no harm in that.
At camp today the WB/S lines looked like:
Tangradi-Smith-Connor
Caputi-Letestu-Johnson
Bissonnette-Jeffrey-Wallace
Brookbank-Vitale-Veilleux
Bayda, Zabotel, Haddad, Petersen, & Boogaard weren’t mentioned among the line combos, specifically. Haddad-Zabotel-Petersen can be cautiously assumed as a line combo, perhaps. Though it was reported Bayda had a strong first day. I expect Bayda will be offered a two-way deal and, if he accepts, would start the season as the club’s 13th forward.
bag o' pucks
Sep 14, 05:42 PM
Nah, still wrong, Tom.
bag o' pucks
Sep 14, 05:44 PM
Although I completely agree that this topic is, as are most hockey related topics, beyond you.
Pens1967
Sep 14, 07:04 PM
Bags, Boulerice was BANNED for life from junior hockey because of his antics. He’s lower than even Chris Simon. The Pens just don’t need a player of his poor character on the team no matter how many fights he might “absorb”.
bag o' pucks
Sep 14, 07:46 PM
I’m aware of Boulerice’s history, 67. I’m also aware that he’s not a Penguin…yet. I think the Pens have nice depth at the heavy position and don’t need Boulerice. I like Godard, Rupp, Brookbank, Biss, and Sill. Those are all character guys who aren’t afraid to stick up for teammates who don’t need to spend time in penalty boxes. I don’t know how Biss will be able to handle himself this year. Boogaard is on his way out of the franchise.
That said, I didn’t invite Boulerice to camp, Boterill did, and there isn’t much I can do about him being there. If Boterill signs him to a minor league deal, it’ll get a shrug from me and that’ll be that. But I’m certainly not going to lose any sleep over Jesse Boulerice.
bag o' pucks
Sep 14, 09:20 PM
And if you want to watch figure skating, the Olympics will start in a few months. Be sure to wear your tutu, Tom. I’m betting pink’s your color.
It’s clear you’re not suited for hockey. You’ve demonstrated nothing more than colossal ignorance regarding this game since you started posting.
bag o' pucks
Sep 14, 09:42 PM
As for boxing, what’s more childish and simple minded than that?
If you want to see a real clinic in striking, see the link for Filipovic’ days in K-1 & Pride. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lK3KG0n-ZGY
Nate
Sep 15, 04:13 PM
@Bag,
Tom has shown time and time again that he is more suited to the watered down, pussified type of hockey that Bettman is trying to ram down our throats. Hockey is not only a game of speed and grace, but of violence and aggression. Obviously someone that has never laced up the skates could never comprehend that side of the game. I wouldn’t think a tutu his style however, more flaming spandex ala Will Ferrell in Blades of Fury.
bag o' pucks
Sep 15, 04:34 PM
@Nate, Lol. Like Tomlin said before the Steelers game last Thursday, “The more violent team will win.” It’s not the most prevalent aspect of the game, but to ignore it is folly.
bag o' pucks
Sep 15, 09:23 PM
Tom’s against fighting, and that’s fine. He’s not the only one. This debate has gone on for years. The most telling factor about the fighting debate is that the players don’t want it removed from the game. They do advocate safety measures, of course, and they prefer a certain code of conduct among those who fight. But fighting is a part of the game. Always has been. Hopefully, always will be. Players policing one another is one of the things that separates our sport from others. Those that don’t have the stomach for it and argue against fighting, like Tom, show a profound lack of understanding of the game, a level of naivete that just makes me roll my eyes and smile. These folks are best served finding another sport.
As for Tom, he desperately tries to play the smart guy, to use eloquent language. But along with hockey, what Tom hasn’t grasped is that no matter how articulately one expresses his idea, if that idea is just moronic and devoid of common sense, all the eloquence in the world doesn’t make it a good idea.
Nate
Sep 16, 05:24 PM
@Tom,
No, the Flyers didn’t win. That was due not only because Pittsburgh had the skill to beat them on the score sheet, but because they had players to deter the Flyers typical brand of “goonery” that they bring to the ice. Take those guys out of the equation and we have another Le Magnifique/ Adam Graves incident and likely do not win the cup.
@Bag,
Yes, but it makes him sound sooooo good!
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