With camp right around the corner, I thought it would be a good time to sit down with Bridgeport Sound Tigers’ play-by-play man Phil Giubileo and get his take on this year’s team. After an injury filled season from the Islanders left last season squad with a roster of ECHL players, I asked Phil what would be different this season.
“Garth Snow really spent some time and energy recruiting depth this past off-season, along with a number of prospects finally graduating to the AHL from juniors/college. I’m very excited about how this season’s club is shaping up. When you pair the talent along with Brent Thompson’s return to the bench, Sound Tigers fans should be seeing a team that should be strongly considered to win the Northeast Division title. With more scoring punch and experience up front, along with two solid AHL goaltenders pushing each other and a blue line filled with NHL prospects, it should be a very fun team to watch,… said Giubileo.
The Islanders have been reluctant in the past to bring in veteran AHL players. This season appears to be different as the Isles have signed many solid AHL players. I asked Phil if this is a change of philosophy or is the organization trying to stockpile some depth in the minors to avoid a repeat of last season?
“I think the club is really looking to provide organizational depth more than anything else. Meanwhile, the primary emphasis in the AHL is player development (and that’s any team in the league), I do believe that the Islanders are looking to encourage a winning atmosphere at the AHL level as well as up top, and dressing a team that will not only compete, but win on a consistent basis, only helps that cause.
It has been a few seasons, but the Sound Tigers have had experienced forward lineups before. Jack Capuano had an experienced group in 2008-09 with forwards such as Kurtis McLean and Mike Iggulden, mixed in with players like Trevor Smith and Ben Walter. This season’s group of veteran forward signings in Jack Skille, Harry Zolnierczyk and Kael Mouillierat may have a stronger impact when you consider that there are some other talented forwards expected to return, as well, from last season
Skille has shown an ability to dominate at this level and it wouldn’t surprise me if he ends up getting a chance to make the big club. When I think of Skille, I remember when Tim Jackman played with Bridgeport before moving up for good. He had been an up and down player as well. The difference in 2014 is that the Islanders have much more forward depth, which makes for more of a challenge for Skille to crack the NHL lineup. Zolnierczyk provides additional NHL depth, but has 20+ goal scoring ability in the AHL, while Mouillierat returns for his 2nd stint with the Sound Tigers having blossomed into an elite scorer.
This season’s team also added experience in net with David Leggio providing a veteran presence along with Kevin Poulin. Both are going to push each other for that opportunity to be the first call-up in case of an injury to Halak or Johnson. Poulin has a lot to prove after his inconsistency issues the past couple of seasons, while Leggio wants an opportunity to crack an NHL lineup. He has been a consistent winner in the AHL for quite a while.…
With all the news happening with the sale of the team and the Islanders bringing in talent at the NHL level, Skille was one guy I honestly forgot about. I asked Giubileo what other player may be flying under the radar and could turn some heads this season.
“If he’s healthy, Sebastian Collberg may have a chance to raise some eyebrows. I know that he’s basically the guy that came over in the Thomas Vanek trade, but he has a lot of talent, and he played in a great league last year in the SHL. His numbers over there won’t blow anyone’s doors off, but neither did Johan Sundstrom (who also skated for Frolunda before coming here), and he was able to make a considerable jump offensively in the AHL. Collberg projects as someone with very good offensive upside, so there’s no reason why he cannot make a similar jump in North America.…
If Collberg has a successful season, it may take that bitter taste left in the mouths’ of Islander fans over the entire Vanek experience. While Collberg may be a player lurking under the surface, I ask Phil what player is set to have a breakout season for the Sound Tigers.
“Third year pros are often in that make or break stage of their careers, and the Sound Tigers do have a few of them. I look at John Persson and Johan Sundstrom and think that after some ups and downs in their 2nd seasons, they both have a chance to take a big stride in their game. I also think that Alan Quine could be this season’s Mike Halmo, offensively. He has a lot of talent, and I think that surrounded by some more experienced players, he has a chance to produce. All three should benefit by the veteran forwards that were added—they’ll draw more of a focus from opposing coaches,… said Giubileo.
Finally with all the blue chip prospects that the Sound Tigers could be boasting on their blue line, I wanted to know what we can expect from the Bridgeport defense this season.
“While still a young group, there is an amazing amount of depth on the blue line competing for spots this season, and that isn’t counting the 9-10 players who are battling for spots with the Islanders. Of that group, you have two 1st round picks in Griffin Reinhart and Ryan Pulock, as well as Kevin Czuczman. It wouldn’t shock me to see two of those three begin the season with the Sound Tigers.
Additionally, there’s some returning depth in Aaron Ness, Scott Mayfield and Andrey Pedan to go along with a number of newcomers. Two intriguing names are Adam Pelech (who reminds me of Mayfield in terms of potential) as well as Ville Pokka (assuming Pokka ends up in Bridgeport as opposed to returning to Europe—I don’t know what his path might be if he doesn’t make the NHL roster), who will adjust to the North American game if he stays, but has been a standout in Europe already at such a young age. It certainly makes the battle very competitive just to play in Bridgeport and not start off in the ECHL.
But while there are some returning faces, the newcomers do have a learning curve, and rookie defensemen often make some mistakes early on in the season during the first 10 or so games. What you’ll want to look at is to see how these young players learn from them and then make corrections and adjustments to their game afterwards. A good example is Scott Mayfield, who made tremendous strides in his game after the first part of the season—to the point where he was the team’s most consistent defenseman by season’s end.…
I thought this would be a great way to wet your appetite for training camp which is quickly closing in. I will have Phil back throughout the season to provide his insight on the Sound Tigers. As always, for more on all things hockey please follow me on twitter at @DanDanNoodles78.