Prospect Signings: March 19th, 2012
-New Jersey Devils Sign Scott Wedgewood To A Three-Year Entry Level Contract
-Nashville Predators Sign Joonas Rask To A Two-Year Entry Level Contract
-Edmonton Oilers Sign Tyler Bunz To A Three-Year Entry Level Contract
-Dallas Stars Sign Austin Smith To A Three-Year Entry Level Contract
-Chicago Blackhawks Sign Terry Broadhurst To A Two-Year Entry Level Contract
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NJ Devils Sign Scott Wedgewood To A Three-Year Entry Level Contract |
 G. Scott Wedgewood Age: 19 Height: 6-0 Weight: 194 Drafted: New Jersey Devils in the 3rd round (84th overall) in 2010. 2011-12 Statistics: Plymouth Whalers (OHL): 43 GP | 3.02 GAA | 0.911 SV % Team Canada (WJC-U20): 3 GP | 2.42 GAA | 0.916 SV % CONTRACT: 3 Year Entry-Level Contract (ELC) Important Facts: -On April 7th, 2010 he stopped 70 shots in a playoff game against the Windsor Spitfires. -This is his second full season as the Whalers starting goalie. |
Thoughts:
The New Jersey Devils have officially announced that they have signed nineteen year old, Scott Wedgewood to a three-year entry level contract. The move was reported a few days ago by Devils beat writer Tom Gulitti, but up until today the Devils hadn't put out a press release.
The first time I watched Wedgewood play was during this past World Junior Championship, and I was very impressed. He is noticeably confident in net, and as a goalie that relies on his athleticism and energy that confidence goes a long way. In regards to his athleticism, its a very big part of his game, but I still wouldn't label him as an acrobatic (or athletic) goaltender. On the first shot he's almost always in the right position and has most of the fundamentals down, but then on any follow-up shots (rebounds have been a concern) he seems to shift to an athletic style. So far in his career it has worked, but at the pro level, with the type of rebounds that he tends to give up, that athleticism on 2nd and 3rd shots could easily turn into scrambling. If he's able to improve his rebound control and develop his game at the AHL level, he will have all the tools to be a good starting goaltender at the NHL level.
He will remain with his OHL team, the Plymouth Whalers, as they are heading towards a hopefully long playoff run. That means he will most likely not get any AHL time this season. Next season however, he will be sharing the number one role for the Albany Devils of the AHL.
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Nashville Predators Sign Joonas Rask To A Two-Year Entry Level Contract |
 C. Joonas Rask Age: 21 Height: 5-11 Weight: 181 Drafted: Nashville Predators in the 7th round (198th overall) in 2010. 2011-12 Statistics: Ilves (SM-liiga): 32 GP | 4 G | 14 A | 18 PTS | 12 PIM CONTRACT: Two-Year Entry-Level Contract (ELC) Important Facts: -Has played 159 games in the SM-liiga -Brother of Boston Bruin Tuukka Rask |
Thoughts:
The Nashville Predators have signed Joonas Rask to a two-year entry level contract. Rask was selected in the 7th round (198th overall) in the 2010 NHL entry draft. At twenty-two years old, he is more than ready to play pro hockey in North America, but despite this signing it doesn't look like that will happen, at least not next year. In his contract he has a European Assignment Clause for the 2012-2013 season. It has been rumored that he will be returned to Finland next year to play for Jokerit in the SM-liiga, but then after that he will play in either the AHL or NHL during the 2013-2014 season.
Rask will never be a top-six forward at the NHL level, but he could turn out to be a decent bottom-six guy. He's got the versatility to play any forward position which is a big plus for a team's bottom-six. He also provides the work-ethic and speed that is desired for an energy player like Rask. In his own end he is pretty solid, and he is good on the penalty kill.
I'm not sure if Joonas Rask will ever be an everyday NHL player, but this signing gives the Predators a good bottom-six option down the road.
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Edmonton Oilers Sign Tyler Bunz To A Three-Year Entry Level Contract |
 G. Tyler Bunz Age: 20 Height: 6-1 Weight: 205 Drafted: Edmonton Oilers in the 5th round (121st overall) in 2010. 2011-12 Statistics: Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL): 61 GP | 2.57 GAA | 0.921 SV % CONTRACT: Three-Year Entry-Level Contract (ELC) Important Facts: -Was a first-round pick in the 2007 WHL Bantam Draft -Named to the 2010-11 WHL (East) Second All-Star Team -2nd best Save % in the WHL with 0.921 %. -3rd most wins in the WHL with 39 |
Thoughts:
This afternoon the Edmonton Oilers announced that they have signed twenty-year old goaltender, Tyler Bunz. Bunz himself was the first one to break the news through an update on his personal Twitter account. The contract is a standard three-year ELC.
Since being drafted in the 5th round Bunz has improved tremendously. Its fair to say that he has become the best goaltender in the WHL. His statistics are extremely impressive considering that he has carried the Medicine Hat Tigers on his shoulders towards the playoffs. The key to his success is his mental toughness in my opinion. He is a battler and his focus on the puck is impeccable. He will never lose sight of it, whether he's tracking it through screens or he's watching forwards move it around the zone, his visual attachment is spot on. He also has above average size for a netminder which combined with his good mobility makes for an impressive mixture. Another skill he brings to the table that sometimes gets overlooked is his puck-handling ability. Not only can he help out with clearing the puck, but he does an excellent job at making the first pass for the breakout. He has an impressive five assists on the season.
Tyler Bunz has all the tools to be a heck of a goaltender at the pro level. For a team like the Oilers that are trying to establish an identity with good young players, Bunz may fit that motif as the goalie of the future for the Oilers.
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Dallas Stars Sign Austin Smith To A Three-Year Entry Level Contract |
 RW. Austin Smith Age: 23 Height: 5-11 Weight: 181 Drafted: Dallas Stars in the 5th round (128th overall) in 2007. 2011-12 Statistics: Colgate University (NCAA): 39 GP | 36 G | 21 A | 57 PTS | 30 PIM CONTRACT: Two-Year Entry-Level Contract (ELC) Important Facts: -Played all four years at Colgate University -Born and raised in Dallas. -Through 153 NCAA games he put up 160 points. -Named to the 2011-12 NCAA (ECAC) First All-Star Team -Named the 2011-12 NCAA (ECAC) Player Of The Year -Named a finalist for the 2011-12 NCAA "Hobey Baker Award" |
Thoughts:
Although its yet to be officially announced, some reputable sources have mentioned that the Stars have agreed on a two-year entry level contract with Austin Smith.
Smith is a twenty-three year old forward who just finished up his senior year at Colgate University. His tenure at the school has been an impressive one with two seasons over a point per game. This past season has been the best (by far) of his career. Recently he was announced as one of the finalists for the Hobey Baker Award which is the most prestigious honor in college hockey.
Austin Smith is a bit old for an NHL prospect, but he should be able to jump right into the pro game with no problems. What sets him apart from most others is his constant drive to be better. He is never happy unless he finds a way to improve on his weaknesses. That work ethic and desire to succeed is special, but his talent is impressive as well. His feet are always moving and his acceleration from '0 to 60' is incredible. He also has a quick release on an already solid wrist shot that makes his quickness even more dangerous.
He will join the Dallas Stars AHL affiliate, the Texas Stars, on an ATO (Amateur Try-Out) for the rest of this season. Next year he will head to the NHL for his rookie season which should be very interesting to see how successful the jump is.
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Blackhawks Sign Terry Broadhurst To A Two-Year Entry Level Contract |
 F. Terry Broadhurst Age: 23 Height: 6-0 Weight: 170 Drafted: Undrafted 2011-12 Statistics: Univ. Of Nebraska-Omaha (NCAA): 38 GP | 16 G | 20 A | 36 PTS | 6 PIM CONTRACT: Two-Year Entry-Level Contract (ELC) Important Facts: -Born in the Chicago area. -Captain of the 2011-12 University of Nebraska-Omaha team. -Named to the 2009-10 NCAA (CCHA) All-Rookie Team. -Named to the 2010-11 NCAA (WCHA) All-Academic Team. -Named to the 2011-12 NCAA (ECHA) All-Academic Team. |
Thoughts:
The Chicago Blackhawks have signed Terry Broadhurst to a two-year entry level contract. The twenty-three year old Broadhurst is a local boy for the Blackhawks as he was born and raised right outside of Chicago. Interestingly enough his brother Alex was drafted by the Blackhawks in the 7th round of the 2011 NHL Draft so the pair of brothers will get to grow together in the organization of the team they grew up watching. If that isn't a great feel good story, I don't know what is.
Broadhurst just finished up his junior year with the University of Nebraska-Omaha and was given the honors of being captain for this season. He plays a solid game and apparently the Blackhawks believe he is ready for the NHL as he has been placed on their NHL roster. He has good foot speed and a knack for avoiding hits which is very useful for a guy with his size. His offensive play is solid, but I'm not too sure if it'll be as potent at the NHL level.
We should get a look at him before the end of the season so at that time we can truly judge his pro-potential.
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