The Rochester Americans announced today that the team has signed goaltender Jonas Johansson.
Johansson, 21, joins the Amerks after spending the 2016-17 season with Almtuna IS of HockeyAllsvenskan in Sweden. Johansson went 17-18-0 in 37 appearances with three shutouts while posting a 2.26 GAA and a .912 save percentage. The 6-foot-4, 198 pound netminder also appeared in two games with Brynas IF of the Swedish Hockey League, earning a 1-1-0 record with a 2.00 goals-against average and a .920 save percentage. Johansson was originally drafted by Buffalo Sabres in the third-round pick (61st overall) in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.
I must admit that my eye brows raised when I ready the press release announcing the Johansson ATO signing. Three days ago Sabres GM Tim Murray was speaking glowingly of the Notre Dame goalie Cam Petersen. Murray wants Petersen to leave the Fighting Irish at the completion of his junior season at UND. Murray said earlier this week that he has Petersen's entry level NHL contract waiting to be autographed by the iron man Notre Dame legend.
Murray has said on the record that Petersen has nothing left to prove at Notre Dame. It's time to turn pro.
Petersen has made 87 straight starts for the Fighting Irish. Number 88 will be against the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Saturday.
⏺ Leads all NCAA Tourney goaltenders in career saves
"We like him, obviously a lot, as a prospect," Murray said. "We like his body of work - love his body of work - as far as development goes. He can't do anymore than he's done to develop and become better."
Murray said effusively that there is a goaltending job awaiting Petersen right now in the organization. I assume Murray meant Linus Ullmark's job as the big Swede will be left unprotected in the Las Vegas expansion draft. Or, Ullmark may be the projected back up to Robin Lehner in Buffalo next season. If the latter is the case, Petersen will be the starter for the Amerks next season.
Could the Amerks be looking at a Petersen-Johansson goalie battery next season?
If Petersen leaves school, he would become an unrestricted free agent 30 days after he officially announces or June 1, 2017.
Murray told WGR earlier this week Petersen will be in good hands in Buffalo and Rochester.
“He’s got good relationship with Andrew Allen, our goalie coach,” Murray said. “He’s got a great relationship with Seamus Kotyk, who is an ex-goalie who is a scout for us and does concentrate on goaltenders for us when he does scout. Our player development staff led by Jason Long have had tons of interaction with him. Jerry Forton, who’s from Buffalo who’s our main college guy, so the communications and the viewings and the effort’s been put in, but without bugging him, without texting him five times a day, without looking like we’re somewhat in panic mode whether we’re going to get him signed or not."
Will Petersen sign his ELC with Buffalo or will be fly the coop and become an unrestricted free agent?
"The decision is going to come to him, his family and his representatives. But I think that our staff has done a good job with him. He's been treated more than fairly by the organization and I think that's what you have to do for young players. You have to have them have a want to be part of your organization. Hopefully that is there with this kid right now."
Petersen will lead his Fighting Irish (#4) into battle against University of Minnesota (#1) in Saturday's Northeast Regional. A Notre Dame loss would put the onus on Petersen to either leave Notre Dame to sign his NHL entry level deal. Or.......
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The Amerks also signed forward Justin Danforth and defenseman Ian Brady to Amateur Tryouts.
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Robin Lehner is calling bullsh*t on the NHL Department of Player Safety for the 3-game suspension handed down to Ramsus Ristolainen on Thursday.
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