Hartford Wolf Pack general manager Jim Schoenfeld announced today that the team has signed defenseman Mike Berube to an American Hockey League contract.
A 6-1, 215-pound native of Edmonton, Alberta, the 21-year-old Berube skated in 56 games this past season for the Western Hockey League’s Vancouver Giants, notching four goals and 20 assists for 24 points and serving 55 minutes in penalties. He was also a +33 on the year. In 17 postseason contests for the Giants, Berube contributed one assist and had 16 PIM.
Berube totaled 317 career games over five WHL seasons, with Prince George, Red Deer and Vancouver. His career numbers include 15 goals and 63 assists for 78 points, along with 333 penalty minutes.
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Jess Rubenstein of The Prospect Park, Howlings resident expert on the boys in juniors tells us that he, "saw him when Dowzak and Kelowna played Berube's Vancouver Giants in the WHL conference finals. Not sure what the Rangers see in him other than a depth signing."
Rubenstein adds, "Nothing really stands out about the kid, he is not a
heavy hitter, not an offensive whiz and while he is a willing fighter at his
size in the AHL would be more of a middleweight. I see him more as an insurance policy for the Pack in
case they lose defenders and the Rangers decide to send Kundratek back to the
WHL."
One thing that is for certain is that there are going to be changes and pretty significant ones between the team the Pack put on the ice last season and the one that will be a part of the 2009 – 2010 season.
Howlings has heard from a few sources that say that some of your favorites will be elsewhere next season. The only confirmed move is that Brock McBride has signed to play next season in Syracuse with the Crunch. There is also talk that another major player up front is looking elsewhere. We’ll confirm that and then report on it after that.
(Photo courtesy of flickr.com)
Mitch-
I’m assuming it’s Parenteau leaving town… he only got a sniff at MSG, a call up to skate in warm ups… it’s a shame, because if I remember correctly, he at least got some games in with the Blackhawks and Ducks right?
I had never heard of Mike Berube, and we shouldn’t assume it’s anything more than a depth signing the way David Urquhart or Chris Murray were last year. But Berube was a regular on D for the Vancouver Giants the last couple of years, and was one of the many players on that team with a great +/-. Steady, reliable D-men sometimes don’t stand out to scouts who just see them once or twice. He also looks as if he can handle himself in a fight pretty well on YouTube.