Wow, he was basically a grinder for 3 seasons in the BCHL then 3 seasons in the NCAA before putting a half-decent year together at the age of 24. Can't say I'm that excited.
Maybe he's not supposed to make you excited. Maybe he is just a signing for the Moose that has some chance to play in the NHL some day.
Maybe we'll finally have a Revelstoke NHLer now, and Sicamous will shut it's damn mouth
Aaron was an offensive player at the midget level growing up, so I think the talent is there somewhat, but really for any player with a shot at making the NHL, you were probably a scorer at that level. Look at a guy like Stu Grimson, who put up respectable point totals in his final WHL season. No one would ever confuse him as an offensive player.
I want to see Aaron succeed as much as anyone, but realistically it's going to be in a niche role as a grinder/energy-type player. Anyone holding their breath for some hereunto hidden offensive talent is probably deluding themselves.
That said, I'm pretty stoked for the guy. Being able to sign a pro-contract with the team you grew up watching is pretty special.
I recall he suffered quite the injury while playing in Vernon and was told he may not play again. If I remember correctly he suffered burns to his legs, groin and thighs during a camping trip after the Vipers were eliminated. At least thats what I think happened. He spent quite a bit of time in the burn unit in Vancouver.
Sorry if thats vague, I just remember seeing it in the paper and on the local news.
Maybe we'll finally have a Revelstoke NHLer now, and Sicamous will shut it's damn mouth
Aaron was an offensive player at the midget level growing up, so I think the talent is there somewhat, but really for any player with a shot at making the NHL, you were probably a scorer at that level. Look at a guy like Stu Grimson, who put up respectable point totals in his final WHL season. No one would ever confuse him as an offensive player.
I want to see Aaron succeed as much as anyone, but realistically it's going to be in a niche role as a grinder/energy-type player. Anyone holding their breath for some hereunto hidden offensive talent is probably deluding themselves.
That said, I'm pretty stoked for the guy. Being able to sign a pro-contract with the team you grew up watching is pretty special.
I recall he suffered quite the injury while playing in Vernon and was told he may not play again. If I remember correctly he suffered burns to his legs, groin and thighs during a camping trip after the Vipers were eliminated. At least thats what I think happened. He spent quite a bit of time in the burn unit in Vancouver.
Sorry if thats vague, I just remember seeing it in the paper and on the local news.
All I could track down on that was that one of his favorite career moments was returning to the ice "after a major injury". The interview didn't elaborate.
I recall he suffered quite the injury while playing in Vernon and was told he may not play again. If I remember correctly he suffered burns to his legs, groin and thighs during a camping trip after the Vipers were eliminated. At least thats what I think happened. He spent quite a bit of time in the burn unit in Vancouver.
Sorry if thats vague, I just remember seeing it in the paper and on the local news.
I can confirm this. He was pouring gasoline on the fire and suffered some pretty serious burns.
Wow, he was basically a grinder for 3 seasons in the BCHL then 3 seasons in the NCAA before putting a half-decent year together at the age of 24. Can't say I'm that excited.
Yeah, I'm in the same boat.
This guy was a total nobody through his BCHL career and through his NCAA career at a mediocre program until he has a good year as a senior at age 24-25 when he's eons older than everyone he's playing against.
NHL GMs are like sheep and 'Undrafted UFA NCAAers!' is the new trend after Anaheim had some success with it a few years back. Just like when drafting older Euros became a trend after Ottawa was successful.
To me, it's much more worthwhile to sign an undrafted 20 y/o CHL player and develop him in your system than to try signing an undrafted 25 y/o NCAA player who is already pretty much a finished product. A guy like Tyler Schmidt in Tri-Cities would be worth a look after he passes through the draft again this year.
Hopefully Volpatti does well, but he's an *old* prospect and I don't see this turning out much differently than Walsky last year.
So they've signed a pyromaniac with no common sense who puts his own personal stat records ahead of the good of the team?
Seems like a no-risk move, assuming he doesn't torch more promising prospects or start taking stupid penalties to get his name in where Brookbank's is.
AHL signing. I don't think the Canucks have high hopes of him cracking the NHL roster.
I do believe that it's an important signing for the Moose who seem to be struggling this year. Our higher end prospects will develop much better with a guy like Volpatti in the lineup.
AHL signing. I don't think the Canucks have high hopes of him cracking the NHL roster.
I do believe that it's an important signing for the Moose who seem to be struggling this year. Our higher end prospects will develop much better with a guy like Volpatti in the lineup.
I wouldn't be so sure. It looks like his contract is a 2 year, one way deal that pays him $500k per season ($100k signing bonus + $400 salary) whether he plays in Manitoba or Vancouver.
I don't think Gillis does a deal like this unless he's confidant Volpatti can play in Vancouver.
From all indications he could be Labrie with skating ability and that's a good thing. If he can be a big body, mean hitter, and a good fighter that would be sweet. He also went to Brown, so the kid is freaking smart.
I wouldn't be so sure. It looks like his contract is a 2 year, one way deal that pays him $500k per season ($100k signing bonus + $400 salary) whether he plays in Manitoba or Vancouver.
I don't think Gillis does a deal like this unless he's confidant Volpatti can play in Vancouver.
One-way? Wow. Pretty sweet deal for an undrafted 25-year-old coming out of the NCAA, but that's a pretty steep price.
I think we had to in a way throw money at him, due to all the competition. He did go on record saying that highest contract bidder would win his services, no matter which team it was.
I guess its good we have owners with deep pockets. Capgeek has him listed as a one-way 2 years for $612,500. They also added in Schroeders as well.
I think we had to in a way throw money at him, due to all the competition. He did go on record saying that highest contract bidder would win his services, no matter which team it was.
I guess its good we have owners with deep pockets. Capgeek has him listed as a one-way 2 years for $612,500. They also added in Schroeders as well.
I'm surprised they gave Schroeder that much money....it's the same deal as the 7th pick (Kadri) signed.
I think we had to in a way throw money at him, due to all the competition. He did go on record saying that highest contract bidder would win his services, no matter which team it was.
I guess its good we have owners with deep pockets. Capgeek has him listed as a one-way 2 years for $612,500. They also added in Schroeders as well.
He is a good buddy of mine's cousin, and I talked to him yesterday. The Red Wings offered him a bigger contract and 3 years but Aaron grew up a Canucks fan and Vancouver also gave him a bigger signing bonus $200,000.
He is a good teammate who will fight anybody and hits everything that moves. I'd say he is comparable to Tanner Glass, so we shouldn't be too excited. The Moose will love this guy though.
He is a good buddy of mine's cousin, and I talked to him yesterday. The Red Wings offered him a bigger contract and 3 years but Aaron grew up a Canucks fan and Vancouver also gave him a bigger signing bonus $200,000.
He is a good teammate who will fight anybody and hits everything that moves. I'd say he is comparable to Tanner Glass, so we shouldn't be too excited. The Moose will love this guy though.
