ST. JOHN’S, Newfoundland and Labrador – The roster for the yet-to-be-named St. John’s AHL franchise is beginning to take shape, thanks to moves made by the parent NHL club in Winnipeg.
The Winnipeg Jets have made several moves in recent weeks, and more than a few of these will affect the makeup of the St. John’s team. In early July the Jets announced the signings of defenseman Mark Flood, center Aaron Gagnon and winger Rick Rypien. The club also traded for Kenndal McArdle, a former first round pick of the Florida Panthers.
There is a good chance all four players will see at least some time in St. John’s this season, adding veteran experience to what is sure to be a young roster.
Flood has the potential to serve as a defensive leader and power play specialist with the St. John’s club, having collected 11 goals, 29 assists and 40 points in 63 games with the AHL Manitoba Moose last season. The 26-year-old played six games with the New York Islanders during the 2009-10 season, picking up one assist.
Gagnon will likely center one of the top two lines in St. John’s after a successful 2010-11 campaign in which he wracked up 14 goals, 23 assists and 37 points in 58 games with the Texas Stars of the AHL. He also appeared in 19 games with the Dallas Stars, earning a pair of assists. The 25-year-old has played 21 NHL games in the past two years.
Rypien would surely be a fan favourite in St. John’s, thanks to his aggressive style of play and willingness to defend teammates. Rypien, 27, split last season between the Vancouver Canucks and Manitoba Moose, playing nine games in the NHL and dressing for 11 contests in the AHL. He had two assists and nine penalty minutes in Manitoba, and one assist and 31 penalty minutes with the Canucks. During the 2009-10 campaign, Rypien dressed in 69 games for Vancouver, wracking up 126 penalty minutes and eight points.
The Jets hope McArdle can make the jump to the NHL, but if the 24-year-old needs more seasoning he will likely be a top-six winger in St. John’s. McArdle had 14 goals, 12 assists and 26 points in 54 games with the Rochester Americans last season, while also appearing in 11 games for the Florida Panthers. Over the past three seasons, he has played 33 games with Florida, accumulating one goal and two assists.
Young guns
In addition to the veteran pros, the Jets signed a pair of young prospects who will develop their game in St. John’s before getting a crack at a full time NHL job.
Michael Kirkpatrick, 21, was a member of the Memorial Cup-winning Saint John Sea Dogs in 2010-11 before signing with Winnipeg this month. He picked up 31 goals, 51 assists and 82 points in 63 junior games last season, and will be given a chance to play significant minutes in St. John’s this year.
“This is an opportunity to take my game to the next level,” Kirkpatrick told The News ( www.ngnews.ca ) earlier this month. “It’s what I worked for. I see the AHL as the next step for me. I think it’s important for me to take this opportunity and make the most of it.”
Jason Gregoire also appears destined for St. John’s this fall. The 22-year-old left winger spent the past three years playing NCAA Div. I hockey at the University of North Dakota. During the 10-11 campaign, he registered 25 goals, 18 assists and 43 points in 35 games. The speedy winger grew up in Winnipeg and would love to begin his pro career in his hometown. However, it is expected he will have to hone his skills in St. John’s first.
“We told him his play will dictate where he goes and what he does,” said Kevin Cheveldayoff, general manager of the Winnipeg Jets, during an interview with the Winnipeg Free Press. “It’s kind of like any prospect in our organization right now; if they’re at the proper level and ready to play, we’ve got a spot for him.”
Cheveldayoff described Gregoire as a responsible, two-way player with good hockey sense.
Notes: Keith McCambridge was officially named the head coach of the St. John’s AHL club on July 14. During a media conference in St. John’s, McCambridge said he is excited to be a head coach in a hockey-mad market and plans on icing a team that is tough to play against … St. John’s has yet to reveal its team name, but the front runner is believed to be Ice Caps. An official announcement is expected in the next few weeks.
Contact Darcy.MacRae@prohockeynews.com
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