New Jersey Devils Prospect Update: 1/24/17

This post will recap the 16th week of Devils prospect action for the 2016-17 season. It's highlighted by Brandon Gignac's strong play in QMJHL action, Albany continuing to find a way to get results, and Ken Appleby solidifying his #1 status.

QMJHL

Brandon Gignac had a very productive week for Shawinigan. He posted 4 assists, +4, 2 shots, and won 17/28 faceoffs against Drummondville on Wednesday. He would then add a goal and an assist along with a +2, 2 shots, and won 7/14 faceoffs against Blainville-Boisbriand on Friday. On Sunday he had a goal, +1, 4 shots, and won 8/15 faceoffs against Quebec.

OHL

Blake Speers had 3 goals, an assist, -3, 10 shots, and won 16/27 faceoffs over the course of 3 games for Sault Ste. Marie. Colton White played in all 3 of those games and had a goal, 2 assists, +3, 2 PIM, and 3 shots.

Michael McLeod had an assist, -3, 5 shots, and won 24/41 faceoffs in 2 games for Mississauga last week. Nathan Bastian was a -1 with 4 shots and won 17/38 faceoffs during that stretch.

Evan Cormier won both of his starts for Saginaw last week. He made 20 saves on 23 shots against Sudbury on Friday. He made 28 saves on 31 shots against North Bay on Sunday.

WHL

Colby Sissons was a -1 across 3 games for Swift Current last week.

NCAA

Alexander Kerfoot had an assist, -2, 2 PIM, 8 shots, and won 56.76% of his faceoffs over the course of 3 games for Harvard last week.

JD Dudek had a goal, +1, and 5 shots in BC's win over UMass on Friday.

Merrimack and Northeastern faced off in a home and home last weekend. Brett Seney was a -1 with 2 PIM and 4 shots for Merrimack. Jeremy Davies had a goal, assist, even rating, 2 PIM, and 2 shots for Northeastern.

Joey Anderson had an assist, -1, 4 shots, and won 1/4 faceoffs over the course of 2 games against North Dakota last weekend.

Europe

Yegor Rykov had an even rating, 2 shots, and played about 12:45 in both of SKA's 2 games last week.

Mikhail Maltsev played in 3 VHL games last week, adding a -1, 4 shots, 12/28 faceoffs, with an average ice time of 11:22.

Jesper Bratt had a goal, 2 assists, +2, and 3 shots with an average ice time of 13:04 across 2 games for AIK last week.

AHL

Albany went 2-1 last week and currently sit 2nd in the North Division with 50 points after 42 games. Their all situation PDO is currently 100.48%. They currently have a Shots For% of 51.36%. The PP is currently operating at 17.58% which is 14th in the league, while the PK is at 83.87% which is 9th in the league.

Injury Update: Joe Blandisi (oblique), Jan Mandat (leg), and John Quenneville (illness) returned to action. Petr Straka (upper body) and Scott Wedgewood (shoulder) remain sidelined.

Transactions: Brian Ward and Justin Agosta were released from their PTO's on 1/17. Agosta was signed to another one on 1/19 after getting a chance to play in the ECHL All-Star game. Blake Coleman was returned by New Jersey on 1/21.

Wednesday 1/18: Albany defeated Syracuse 3-2 in OT. Ryan Kujawinski and Vojtech Mozik had the goals in regulation with Kevin Rooney picking up the game winner in overtime. Ben Sexton had 2 assists followed by Brian Gibbons, Carter Camper, Reece Scarlett, and Jacob MacDonald with an assist each. Andrew MacWilliam, Max Novak, Sexton, and Mozik had 3 shots each as the Devils were outshot 26 to 31. Ken Appleby made 29 saves. Albany went 1/3 on the PP and 4/4 on the PK. Here is the gamesheet.

Saturday 1/21: Albany lost to St. John's 4-2. Vojtech Mozik and Ryan Kujawinski had the goals while Nick Lappin and Josh Jacobs had the assists. Ben Thomson had 4 shots as the Devils outshot the IceCaps 28-19. Ken Appleby made 15 saves. Albany went 0/2 on the PP and 4/4 on the PK. Here is the gamesheet.

Sunday 1/22: Albany defeated St. John's 2-1 in OT. Jacob MacDonald had the goal in regulation with Carter Camper and John Quenneville earning the assists. Joe Blandisi had the game winner in overtime with Nick Lappin assisting on the goal. Quenneville had 4 shots as the Devils outshot the IceCaps 32-22. Ken Appleby made 21 saves. Albany went 1/5 on the PP and 2/2 on the PK. Here is the gamesheet.

Another All-Star: Vojtech Mozik was added to the 2017 AHL All-Star Classic on Friday. The event will take place on Monday 1/30 in Allentown, PA. Mozik has 5 goals, 5 assists, 34 PIM, a +12 rating, and 81 shots in 36 games this season.

Coming Up: Albany will take on Rochester on Friday and Saturday.

ECHL

Brandon Baddock made his return to the Adirondack line up last week, appearing in 2 games with an assist, +1, and 7 PIM.

Prospect of the Week

Brandon Gignac earned this week's honors after posting 2 goals, 5 assists, +7, 8 shots, and a 56.14 FO% over the course of 3 games for Shawinigan. He's in a 3 way tie for 3rd in points on his team with 43 in 37 games and is 2nd in assists with 29. Hopefully he can keep up this play throughout the 2nd half of the season.

ADevil of the Week

This week's honors go to Ryan Kujawinski after he had 2 goals, +1, and 4 shots over the course of 3 games last week. The young forward was sidelined from mid-November to January due to injury but appears to be getting his season back on track. He's had an up and down career from juniors to the pro game, but will have a great oppurtunity to finish the 2nd half of the season strong for Albany. Hopefully he can take advantage of it.

Your Take

What are your thoughts on Gignac as a prospect? How do you feel about Appleby becoming Albany's undisputed #1? What else stood out to you this week? Leave your comments below and thank you for reading!