New Jersey Devils Prospect Update: 11/8/16

This post will recap the 5th week of Devils prospect action for the 2016-17 season. It's highlighted by Joey Anderson continuing his hot start to his college career, the Devils European prospects meeting up in a tournament, and Albany continuing to struggle.

QMJHL

Brandon Gignac appeared in 3 games for Shawinigan last week. The 2nd line center for the Cataractes added a goal, assist, +1, 2 PIM, 10 shots, and won 66.15% of his faceoffs. He'll look to showcase his skills next week when he represents the QMJHL in the Canada/Russia series.

OHL

According to this report from Peter Ruicci of the Sault Star, Blake Speers underwent successful wrist surgery on Monday 10/31. He is expected to miss 6-8 weeks.

Colton White did play in both games for the Soo Greyhounds last week. He was a -2 with a shot against Sarnia on Friday. The next night against Flint he added an assist, +2, and 2 PIM. White was also just added to the OHL's roster for their game against the Russians in North Bay on Thursday. He'll have the chance to be teammates with fellow Devils prospects, Michael McLeod and Evan Cormier.

The Devils prospects on Mississauga had a very active week with 3 games on the schedule. Michael McLeod added 2 goals, an assist, +2, 8 PIM, 12 shots, and won 60.00% of his faceoffs. He was named 3rd star in Saturday's game against Sudbury and 1st star in Sunday's game against North Bay after setting up the game winning goal in OT. Nathan Bastian also played in all 3 games, adding 2 goals, -1, 9 shots, and won 1/5 faceoffs. He was also added to the OHL roster for their game in Hamilton on Monday against the Russians.

Evan Cormier started 2 games for Saginaw last week. He made 29 saves on 33 shots in a loss against Windsor on Thursday. He followed that up by making 29 saves on 31 shots in a win over Barrie on Saturday. He's on the OHL roster for both games in the upcoming Canada/Russia series this week.

WHL

Colby Sissons suited up 3 times for Swift Current last week, finishing the week with a +2 rating and 2 PIM. He currently has no points over his last 6 games after a hot start to the season.

NCAA

Alex Kerfoot appeared in Harvard's games against Colgate and Cornell last week, adding a goal, assist, +2, 7 shots, and won 50.00% of his faceoffs.

JD Dudek continued to earn consistent playing time for Boston College in his new RW role this season. He had an assist, +1, 2 PIM, and 5 shots over the course of 2 games against Maine. He earned praise from SBN College Hockey's Joshua Kummins last week for his physical play and ability to play with offensively skilled players like Colin White and Ryan Fitzgerald.

Brett Seney had a strong weekend for Merrimack. He had a goal, assist, +1, 3 shots, and won 2/3 faceoffs against Mercyhurst on Friday. The next night he had a goal, assist, even rating, 2 PIM, and 2 shots. As expected he leads the team in assists and points.

Joey Anderson continued the strong start to his freshman season with Minnesota Duluth. On Friday he added 2 goals, an assist, +3, and 4 shots against St. Cloud State. The next night he had a goal, assist, +1, and 4 shots. More on him later.

Jeremy Davies appeared in both of Northeastern's games against Boston University last weekend. He had an assist, -1, and 6 shots over that time. He continues to play in a top 4 role and feature on the PP.

Europe

Yegor Rykov (Russia), Mikhail Maltsev (Russia), and Jesper Bratt (Sweden) played in the 4 Nations Tournament in Sweden this past week. The tournament serves as a tune-up before the U20 World Junior Championship that starts in December. Rykov had an assist, 2 PIM, and +2, and 10 shots in 3 games. Maltsev had 2 PIM, -3, 6 shots, and won 56.41% of his faceoffs. Bratt had a goal, -2, and 2 shots in 3 games.

AHL

Albany lost both of their games last week. Albany currently sits in 3rd place in the North Division with 12 points after 10 games played. Their all situation PDO is currently 99.79%. They currently have a Shots For% of 47.46%. The PP is currently operating at 11.36% which is 27th in the league, while the PK is at 89.13% which is 4th in the league.

Injury Update: Steve Santini (lower body) and Ryan Kujawinski (lower body) both returned to the line up this past weekend. Carter Camper (upper body) has remained out.

Transactions: Vojtech Mozik was recalled by New Jersey on 11/1 and returned on 11/7. Defenseman Alex Wall was signed to a PTO on 11/4 and released on 11/6. Brandon Baddock was reassigned to Albany on 11/4.

Wednesday 11/2: Albany lost to Bridgeport 4-2. Albany jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the early minutes of the 1st period thanks to goals by Blake Coleman and Ben Thomson. Jan Mandat, Joe Blandisi, and Rod Pelley an assist each. Coleman and John Quenneville had 5 shots as the Devils were outshot 27-26 by the Sound Tigers. Scott Wedgewood made 23 saves. Albany went 0/7 on the PP and 4/4 on the PK. Here is the gamesheet.

Line Up:

Quenneville-Pietila-Sexton

Gibbons-Blandisi-Wood

Coleman-Rooney-Mandat

Thomson-Pelley-Novak

MacWilliam-Scarlett

Stollery-Gormley

Helgeson-Jacobs

Saturday 11/5: Albany lost to Hershey 4-0. John Quenneville once again led the way with 4 shots as the Devils outshot the Bears 29-26. Mackenzie Blackwood started but made just 3 saves on 6 shots in 14:46 before being lifted. Scott Wedgewood made 19 saves on 20 shots in 45:11. Albany went 0/2 on the PP and 5/6 on the PK. Here is the gamesheet.

Line Up:

Quenneville-Pietila-Sexton

Gibbons-Coleman-Blandisi

Wood-Rooney-Novak

Thomson-Pelley-Kujawinski

MacWilliam-Scarlett

Santini-Gormley

Helgeson-Jacobs

Coming Up: Albany will take on Hershey on Friday and St. John's on Saturday.

ECHL

Brandon Baddock made a single appearance for Adirondack last week, adding a -1 with 1 shot to his season totals. Ken Appleby made one start for Adirondack last week in a win over Manchester by stopping 30 of 33 shots.

Prospect of the Week

Joey Anderson picks up this week's honors after adding 3 goals, 2 assists, +4, and 8 shots over 2 games for #1 ranked Minnesota Duluth. This performance earned him NCHC Rookie Player of the Week honors. The freshman RW leads the team in assists (9) and is 2nd in points (12). Anderson is tied for 2nd among NCAA freshman in assists and is tied for 2nd in points. Anderson flew under the radar somewhat during his draft year last season as he was viewed as the complimentary piece to a line with 1st rounders Clayton Keller and Kieffer Bellows for the USNTDP. He's earned a place on the Bulldogs top line with seniors Dominic Toninato and Alex Iafallo, where he's displayed the same hockey sense, playmaking ability, and shot that made him successful in juniors.

ADevil of the Week

I'll give this week's honors to Blake Coleman after what was a tough week for Albany. Coleman had a goal, even rating, 2 PIM, and 7 shots across 2 games. He was always a strong shot generator when in college and will hopefully translate that over to the pro's. The forward is looking to make his mark this season after missing the majority of his rookie season last year due to injury.

Your Take

What are your thoughts on Joey Anderson as a prospect? How about the tough run Albany finds themselves in? Leave your comments below and thank you for reading!