IceHogs Ink Visentin, Ciampini To AHL Deals
While the world waits for the Blackhawks to make a move (or two… or three…) their AHL affiliate added two more depth pieces on Wednesday. The IceHogs announced one-year AHL contracts with goalie Mark Visentin and forward Daniel Ciampini.
Visentin, who will turn 23 in August, will get a chance to back up Michael Leighton in Rockford this season after missing the entire 2014-15 season due to injury. He spent most of the 2013-14 season with the Portland Pirates, but did make his NHL debut with the Phoenix Coyotes late in that season. Visentin’s AHL resume is a 29-30-0 record, a 3.11 goals against average and a .902 save percentage in 75 games.
Visentin was originally selected in the first round (#27 overall) of the 2010 NHL Draft by the Coyotes. He was named the OHL Goaltender of the Year for the 2010-11 season, and represented Canada at the 2011 U20 World Junior Championships. He is listed at 6-2 and 201 pounds.
Ciampini, 24, led Union College with 26 goals and 50 points in 50 games last year in the ECAC. After finishing four years at Union, Ciampini signed with the Worchester Sharks, posting three goals and three assists in 15 games. He is listed at 5-11 and 185 pounds.
So they signed a young big goaltender who they think might have potential … who would have thunk it right ER???
Don’t know what this young man’s injury was last year but he’ll only be 23 when the season starts, let him work with Leighton and let’s see what they’ve got.
Tab—what’s this mean for Mac Carruth?
^Carruth wasn’t qualified so he’s a free agent. Very doubtful he’ll be back but maybe on an AHL contract.
Good to hear and not unexpected as the Hogs were not going to go with just one goalie. Don’t know anything about this guy other than what Tab wrote but he’s still young in “goalie age” and maybe got a little extra motivation after spending a year recovering from injury. Here’s hoping for the best.
I’ve got to learn to put all this stuff in one post …
Ciampini was one of the ten finalists for the Hobey Baker Award last year, was a prolific scorer for Union College ECAC. He was also a 1st team ECAC All Star last year. His team made it all the way to the NCAA final four and he signed an AHL deal with San Jose. A left wing, he attended the Vancouver Canucks prospect camp last summer.
Vasentin’s injury was to his ankle, he suffered it in a collision during a training camp scrimmage last fall, tried to rehab it for a while and then they finally did some surgery. Not certain how extensive it was.
Lots of upside he’s actually ranked higher then Raanta was at any point. Here is what futures says
“2013-14
Visentin was the clear number one goalie for the Portland Pirates in 2013-14. Unfortunately, the Pirates were outgunned on a nightly basis and Visentin was consistently under duress. Although his squad finished at the bottom of the AHL standings, Visentin posted a relatively impressive 3.25 GAA and .902 save percentage. He also made his NHL debut, a losing effort against the San Jose Sharks on April 12th, 2014.
Talent Analysis
Visentin is an athletic goaltender with good size and excellent rebound control. On top of his calm demeanor in goal, Visentin has shown tremendous character and leadership qualities as someone who leads by example through his strong work ethic.
Future
Going into training camp, Visentin is the clearcut number one in Portland, Arizona’s AHL affiliate. He needs to continue his solid play while elevating his game in key game situations. Arizona has a slew of young goaltending prospects coming through the pipeline meaning Visentin must continue to improve to allow management to justify investing one of their few roster spots on his continued development.”
A little more on this kid, he was injured for most of the year with an ankle injury last season, so I am guessing Mac Carruth( who I has looked awful every time I watched him play) will probably get an contract.
I am assuming Visentin w be at the rookie camp this week at Johnny’s Ice house which I am hoping to go to again.
Visentin was on my list of FA goalies. I actually liked him the most out of the bunch, He played 1 game for the Coyotes last year. Prior to getting injured he had the best stats among the Portland Pirates goalies. He’s still 22 and has twice represented Canada.
I was surprised the Coyotes decided not to tender a 22 yr old former 1st round RFA goalie…but then again, it’s the Coyotes.
Not that this matters at all, but Darling is also a former Coyotes draft pick..
Goalies ,As we all know , generally take a long time to develop. This could be a very good move.
I would still like to see the Hawks/Rockford sign Justin Holl to an AHL contract. Had a decent season at Indy, has improved every year and might be a late bloomer. Ted Dent has said he is certainly capable of playing in the A. Why not see if he can develop this year into a bottom six NHL prospect ?
One more thing on vincentin. I went back and read the hockey news future watch from 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. In 3 of the 4, don Maloney was very complimentary of his development and even stated that it would be a 3 to 5 year wait before he arrives in the NHL. Obviously maloney and his staff changed their opinion in just the last year or so. Hogs and Hawks could reap the rewards as a result.
Blackhawks have three guys coming in to prospect camp from St. Lawrence Univ., one is a goaltender. They seem to be really paying attention to that program the past couple of years.