With the end of the AHL season, it's time to take a look back at the season that was for Bridgeport. In one of the most surprising moves, Pat Bingham was fired after a tough season which could hardly be blamed on him. The team struggled with injuries to almost everyone and callups for some of their better and promising players. As much as we cringe when Dylan Reese is on the ice in the NHL, he does make a fine AHL player. Of an 80 game schedule, only 2 players, Robin Figren and Mark Wotton, played over 70 games this year. Last year they had 6 players play 70 games or more and 4 of them lead the team in points.
Rhett Rakhshani lead the team (and tied for the lead with rookies) in points.Keith did a really good job summing up his season right here if you haven't read it yet. This is going to be a run down of those remaining players who can still be considered prospects.
David Ullstrom 21 y/o 67 GP 17 G 24 A 41 Pts First Season in the AHL.
The rookie Swede had a good season, especially compared to his time in the SEL. In 3 seasons of play in the SEL he had 20 points in 73 games. The only long term issue might be his position, as he is a Center and the team appears to be stacked at the position for the immediate future.
Robin Figren 22 y/o 76 GP 14 G 16 A 30 Pts Second Full AHL Season
Figren quadrupled his point total over last season, but there are rumors he was upset about not getting a chance on the NHL level this year. As a free agent, it's believed he will be heading back to play in Sweden next season.
Justin DiBenedetto 22 y/o 55 GP 19 G 11 A 30 Pts Second Full AHL Season
DiBo doubled his points total from last season in the AHL and really came on fire towards the end of the year. He also had a short stint in the NHL in which he seemed to take on the Jon Sim pest role.
Mark Katic 21 y/o 63 GP 4 G 26 A 30 Pts Second Full AHL Season
Katic last season was believed to be first on the depth chart to be called to the NHL.A timely injury led to Andrew MacDonald being called up. This season a timely injury to Katic (among others) cause the early callup of Travis Hamonic. Katic eventually got his chance and played well in a handful of NHL games down the stretch. Never count out the Islanders need for a lot of defenseman.
Tony Romano 22 y/o 67 GP 7 G 12 A 19 Pts First Full AHL Season
The former 6th rounder was acquired from the Devils for Ben Walter. Another Center, a position in which the Islanders are deep, Romano is a best a bridge the gap player till some of the younger players make it to Bridgeport.
Dustin Kohn 23 y/o 45 GP 2 G 13 A 15 Pts Fourth Full AHL Season
A relatively steady defensive defenseman, Kohn has had an injury just about every AHL season. It's most likely the end of the line for Kohn, who was unable to crack the NHL roster despite the Islanders using just about anyone on the blue line.
Tyler McNeely 23 y/o 10 GP 5 G 6 A 11 Pts First AHL Season
Although McNeely isn't signed to an NHL contract, but his 10 game stint (the limit to an AHL tryout contract) was the best 10 game point total other then Josh Bailey. A 5 year player for Northeastern, he was nearly a point per game player during 3 of those seasons. It will be interesting to see if he's brought back
Tomas Marcinko 22 y/o 66 GP 4 G 7 A 11 Pts Third AHL Season
That was the same exact total he had in his first AHL season, except he was only a -3 that season. This year he finished -20. Marcinko is a Free Agent and it'll be interesting to see if they bring him back.
Ty Wishart 22 y/o 51 GP (20 for BP) 4 G 23 A 27 Pts Third AHL Season
Wishart split 40 games this season between BP and Long Island after being acquired from Tampa Bay. He was steady on both levels, improving in the AHL as the season went on. If he doesn't start next season on the Islanders, he will probably be one of the first people called up.
Anton Klemetyev 20 y/o 51 GP 2 G 7 A 9 Pts Second AHL Season
Klementyev played the most professional games of his short career so far this year. From all accounts he was having a strong season after being thrown to the fire due to injuries. Unfortunately his season ended early due to an injury. It looks like he might have a promising future.
Mikko Koskinen 22 y/o 36 GP 3.49 GAA .892 SV% 12-21-1 First AHL Season
Mikko struggled, returning from his hip injury last year, suffering behind a questionable defense and other injuries that popped up during the season. With the influx of new defenseman next year and another offseason of healing it will be interesting to see if he can bounce back. Anders Nilsson is waiting in the wings after a strong finish to his season and strong playoffs.
Kevin Poulin 20 y/o 15 GP 2.19 GAA .932 SV% 10-5-0 First AHL Season
Following his promising career in the QMJHL, Poulin was quite impressive during his stay in the AHL. In his last game in the AHL during BP's horrible losing streak he almost willed them to a win. He had 45 saves on 48 shots while BP managed 19 shots on goal all game. They lost 3-2 but it was hardly his fault. Let's just hope he bounces back from his kneecap injury.
OHL
Well it's the end of the line for Oshawa, Calvin De Haan and Tony Dehart. After splitting the first two games with Niagra, they dropped the following three games. In game 3 they lost 5-3 (EN), De Haan had an assist but was a -3 on the night while Dehart had no points and was a -1. In game 4 they lost 6-1 De Haan had no points and was even while Dehart had an assist and was a +1. In Game 5 they lost 7-3 with the game pretty much decided by a 5 goal first from Niagra. Dehart had no points and was a -2, De Haan had 2 assists and was even on the night. De Haan finished the playoffs with 1 goal, 11 assists for 12 points and a +3 in 10 games, Dehart finished with 2 goals, 10 assists for 12 points and a +4 in 10 games.
After splitting the first two games with Montreal, Lewiston had 3 games this week. In game 3 Lewiston won 2-1, with Kirill Kabanov having assists on both goals.In game 4 Lewiston won 4-1 with Kirill Kabanov getting two goals (the game winner and insurance goal) and being named first star of the night. In game 5 Lewiston lost 5-4 with Kabanov notching 2 goals and an assist. In 10 games Kabanov has 5 goals, 9 assists for 14 points and a +6. He has already gotten to half the amount of his point total from the regular season.
Portland dropped their first game to Kelowna last week. In game 2 Portland came to life, firing 52 shots on net and winning 6-2. Nino Neiderreiter had an assist and was +2 on the night. Portland won game 3 5-4, with Nino being named second star for a 2 goal performance. Portland won game 4 4-2 with Nino adding 3 assists and being named first star of the night. Portland lost game 5 2-1 despite throwing 55 shots on net. Nino scored the lone goal for Portland. In 9 games Nino has 7 Goals 11 Assists for 18 points in 9 games.
Mississauga had the Captain back in the lineup for their second round series with Sudbury. In game 1 Casey Cizikas broke off the rust with a goal and an assist in an 8-5 Mississauga win and third star performance. Casey was quiet in game 2 as Miss. won 4-3. In game 3 Cizikas had an assist as Miss. won 6-3. In the deciding game 4 Cizikas had a goal and an assist with under 5 minutes to go in the 3rd to help Miss. force OT and eventually win 4-3. Cizikas was named second star of the night.
As of right now, we'll be doing The Flashlight at 2PM EST. I'll post a fanshot link beforehand.