The Avs announced their training camp roster yesterday, 58 players strong. Most of them were Avs roster players and players discussed already in this Monsters article, but there were a few new names and some more guys likely looking to contend for spots in Lake Erie.
Lee Moffie (6'1, 205 Defense - Shoots Left) was drafted by the Sharks in the 7th round back in 2010 then traded this summer to the Oilers who failed to sign him. He is a native of the lovely state of Connecticut and played HS for Avon Old Farms, which also produced Jonathan Quick and Brian Leetch. Lee moved on to Michigan, winning the NCAA title in 2010, and ending up with 22G/52A in 142 games. Had a killer junior year but regressed last year for whatever reasons. Perusing the scouting Illuminati out there leads me to conclude that he is a good skater with a good shot and is either a puck-mover or a shutdown guy. We'll see soon enough.
Michael Schumacher (6'5, 209 LW - Shoots Left) is one of the best, if not the best Formula 1 drivers of all time. After winning two titles with Benetton in the 90's, he singlehandedly revived Ferrari in the 2000's winning an astonishing 5 WDC titles in a row... Wait. Actually he's a big Swedish LW drafted in the 7th round by the Kings in 2011. He spent the last 2 years playing for the Soo Greyhounds of the OHL, putting up some pretty decent offensive numbers (46G/54A in 130GP). Has a strong game close to the net, needs some work elsewhere, maybe a whole lot of work, but his size gives him some nice potential. He also just turned 20 last week so there's plenty of time for him to develop. Not offered a contract by LA, he heads to Avs camp as a free agent.
Daniel Maggio (6'3, 210 Defense - Shoots Right) finished last season in Lake Erie on loan from the Fort Wayne Komets(sic) and is now under contract to the San Francisco Bulls of the ECHL. Finally, someone I've actually seen play! Maggio started out with the Monsters as the de facto facepuncher but turned into a serviceable defenseman towards the end of the year. Hard to say what kind of potential he has, but he's only going into his second pro year so I'll defer to the Avs judgment on this one. Originally drafted by the Rags, 6th rd/2009.
Dillon Donnelly (6'2, 200 Defense - Shoots Left) was drafted by the Avs in the 7th round in 2011 and was not offered a contract this summer. Or not offered one yet it seems, he will be in camp on an Amateur Try Out. If my math is right, and I doubt it is, he could find himself playing for the Avs, Monsters, Cutthroats or back with the Reparts after training camp. Nice to have options, and good luck!
Other than Donnelly, we don't know exactly what the contract status is for these fellows, whether they are actually signed by Lake Erie or on Professional Try Out Contracts, but it stands to reason that if they don't somehow crack the Avs lineup that they will be in Monsters camp later in September. Also, the remaining amateurs, Bigras, Geertsen, Blandisi, Bourke, Clarke and Martin are Avs prospects that aren't eligible for the AHL
So, taking out the Colorado roster players and the young prospects, the Monsters look to have at least 14 forwards, 11 defense and 4 goalies in training camp at this point. There's going to be some tough competition for the last couple of D spots for sure.
And other than Maggio, I've never seen these guys play, so any insight from an MHHer that has seen these guys is definitely welcomed.