With the start of American League training camps this week, the parent clubs have already made roster moves. The Anaheim Ducks are no exception as they transferred twelve players to their American League affiliate, the Norfolk Admirals. The following players have been assigned to Norfolk by Anaheim.
Max Friberg (F) Friberg was acquired by Anaheim via the 2011 NHL entry draft when he was selected in the fifth round. This season will be Max’s first in the USA as he transitions to the North American game. Friberg’s nine goals in the 2012 WJC’s aided Sweden to the Gold Medal in Alberta, Canada.
Kevin Gagne (D) The 2013-2014 campaign marks the first full pro season for the 21-year-old who spent the last five years playing in the QMJHL. The Edmundston, NB was rewarded by the QMJHL in 2011-2012 which recognized his outstanding defensive skills by crowning him Defenseman of the Year. Gagne caught up with Norfolk last season after his junior season ended and played in five games tallying one assist.
Antoine Laganiere (F) This season also marks the first pro season for the 6’4” Yale Alumnus. The 23-year-old aided the Bulldogs in winning the NCAA championship last season. During his time as a Bulldog, he tallied 85 points in 122 games. Reports read that Laganiere was the best college free agent prior to his signing last spring.
John Mitchell (F) Mitchell returns to Norfolk for an encore season. Last year with Norfolk, he tallied 14 points in 61 games. Mitchell signed a two-year contract in May, 2012. Last season Mitchell announced that after every game the Admirals were victorious he would donate money to Operation Smile. That eventually caught on with fans in Norfolk who also donated money to the cause.
Andrew O’Brien (D) The 6’3” D-man spent the last three seasons in the QMJHL. Last season with the Huskies, he earned 113 minutes in penalties in 67 games played. The left-handed shot was drafted by Anaheim 108th overall in 2012.
Charles Sarault (F) Sarault embarks on his first full pro season with the Admirals. The Mississauga, ON native played in eleven games last season with the Admirals after the lights dimmed on his junior season in Sarnia. Sarault recorded 258 points during his junior career and was named Best Overage Player in the OHL last year. His presence was immediate with Norfolk notching 6 assists in 11 games. The 21-year-old is an excellent playmaker and is a danger on the power play.
Maxime Sauvé (F) Entered Ducks camp via invite. Prior to Anaheim’s invite, the 23-year-old played in Rockford and Providence last season. Sauvé was Boston’s second round pick in 2008 and is a veteran of 166 AHL games where he totaled 92 points.
Zack Stortini (F) An enforcer with NHL experience. Stortini pounded his way to 718 minutes in penalties while competing in 257 games in the NHL. The Elliot-Lake, ON native also has 293 AHL games to his credit. The 28-year-old is ready to patrol the ice and enforce the “code” this season. Stortini will remind Admirals fans of fan-favorite Eric Neilson who policed the ice during the 2011-2012 campaign.
Chris Wagner (F) A 5th round pick of the Ducks in 2010, he skated in 70 games with Norfolk last year lighting the lamp 8 times. Wagner had a very successful rookie camp scoring a few goals in the So-Cal future games. The Colgate Alumnus is noted for his hard work ethic and dishes out game changing hits night after night.
Stefan Warg (D) The 2008 draft pick of Anaheim begins his North American career this season in Norfolk; however; this isn’t his first pro season. The 23-year-old has prior pro experience in his homeland Sweden spending the last three years in the Elite Leagues.
Steven Whitney (F) The flashy 5’7” forward was assigned to Norfolk last year after he completed his College career with Boston University. His presence was felt instantly as he scored his first pro goal in his first pro game. Whitney, like many smaller players, is noted for his speed. Whitney potted 128 points in 160 games in an Eagle sweater. The New England native was signed to a two-year deal with the Ducks last spring.
Teigan Zahn (D) A journeyman who is only 23. Zahn has been drafted twice by the Blackhawks in 2008 and the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2010, but didn’t sign with either club. Zahn comes to Norfolk with 34 games played in the ECHL and 5 in the AHL. During his time in the ECHL, he amassed 13 points in 34 games. During his brief stint in the American League, he notched a single assist. Like Sauvé, he was on a tryout contract with the Ducks.
Anaheim’s camp is still overloaded with 36 skaters and 5 goaltenders. More cuts will come down the pipeline this week as the Admirals only preseason home game looms closer this Saturday at 7:15 against the Charlotte Checkers.
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