Add one more draft pick to the mix in Bridgeport, though apparently without the NHL deal behind him yet. Minnesota’s Taylor Cammarata joined teammate Jake Bischoff in Bridgeport. ATO only at the moment.
The Sound Tigers had an optional today, and the four ATOs were among those on. About half-and-half; more forwards than defensemen. Jesse Graham wasn’t among the latter corps: Bridgeport announced after practice and before the bus ride that he’s been sent to Missouri.
Brent Thompson said he expected John Stevens to make his pro debut tomorrow at Allentown, in for Ross Johnston as Johnston serves his 10-fights one-game suspension. Thompson made no promises about what the lines would look like, though; he said he’d like Stevens to play center.
So the Sound Tigers are back to eight defensemen… for now. As the Parker Wotherspoon watch hits its peak, Mitchell Vande Sompel and the London Knights are down 2-1 to Windsor in the OHL. The Knights and Tri-City could both be done Friday.
The AHL named its Yanick Dupre Award/Man of the Year finalists. Kyle Burroughs got Bridgeport’s nomination, and Jaime Sifers got the nod in Cleveland. Ex-Sound Tigers Brandon DeFazio in Texas and Bryce Aneloski in Bakersfield were nominated. San Diego nominated Quinnipiac’s Jordan Samuels-Thomas, and Simsbury’s Tommy Cross got Providence’s nomination.
SportsClubStats has been high on Bridgeport for a long time, and it still is. Before last night’s game, their math gave Bridgeport a 60-percent chance of making the playoffs, with Providence at almost 86 and Hershey at 54. If those numbers feel high and bug you, remember they’re competing for two spots, or think of it backward: Hershey 46 percent to miss, Bridgeport 40, Providence 14. Forget how high they are, though: Bridgeport was still given a better chance than Hershey despite being five points behind with (at the time) a game in hand and just one head-to-head. Fascinating.
And coach Jeremy Colliton and Mora IK are playing at this writing against Leksand. Mora leads the series 3-1; a win, and it gets promoted to the SHL next season.