Mike Halmo, a foward from the Owen Sound Attack has signed an entry-level contract with the New York Islanders. Halmo is a undrafted free agent and will join the Bridgeport Sound Tigers after the OHL season. He is fifth in OHL scoring with 84 points.
just got off the phone with garth and he told me that i should expect to hear in the next week that they will offer him an 800k contract for 1 year with a 5 million dollar bonus if he nets 50 goals
here is our signing that will put us over the cap floor!
I wouldn't say he's necessarily a good fighter; the Haley comparisons aren't apt as Haley was considered a much better fighter at the same age, but he's willing to go. He's probably closer to a Patrick Kaleta than he is a Haley or a Martin, in terms of his overall physical game.
He broke out offensively in his overage season, after spending his first three seasons as your typical 3rd line physical winger who can chip in with modest totals.
More likely seen by the organization as a BP depth signing, with a long-shot chance to become a 4th line energy guy at the NHL level.
Wow, leads the team in goals, assists AND PIM's. Wish he were 5 inches taller, though he can certainly handle himself. Maybe a more talented Thompson ?
I think this is another Michael Haley type player...A very good antagonizer, with some offensive upside, its safe to say that if he pans out he will be a 4th line energy guy and if not he will be fun to watch in Bridgeport.
1. Mike Halmo - Owen Sound Attack
In his time in the OHL, Halmo has always been one of the most feared hitters in the league. He's also been the type of player who constantly walks the line between clean and dirty, has seen his share of suspensions, and driven opposing fans to the point of anger. But if he's on your team, you love him. His offensive game really took a big step forward last year playing with Andrew Shaw and the two of them were dynamite in the Attack playoff run to the OHL championship. This year, he's improved even more and currently sits 3rd in the league with 36 goals scored. While I don't anticipate him to be a league scoring champion at the next level, he looks like a solid energy player for an NHL team in the future. He certainly has to be encouraged by the success Andrew Shaw has had professionally this season. The first player on this list has received an NHL contract in every year I've done it (2009, 2010, 2011), so let's hope Halmo can continue the tradition.
I think this is another Michael Haley type player...A very good antagonizer, with some offensive upside, its safe to say that if he pans out he will be a 4th line energy guy and if not he will be fun to watch in Bridgeport.
I live pretty close to Owen Sound, so I've seen Halmo play quite a few times. Probably my favourite player on the Attack in the last few seasons.
Heart and soul guy. Not the biggest or fastest, but he gives 'er 110% every shift. Finishes every check and he's one of those guys who flat out knows how to hit too. His offense has been a real bonus. He's definitely developed beyond the north-south player he was.
He's got a pro-ready game. He's looked better this season than Andrew Shaw was last season and you can see what Shaw has done at the NHL and AHL level this season.
Clean hit, Yakupov was asking for it by cutting to the middle like that.
Just like on Bloge Salming, "Keep your head up." I feel bad for Yakupov, but you can't cut between the dots like that and assume that'll never happen.
Sorry Nail, but 'me likey.' I'll take that on my team 8 days a week.
Quote:
Originally Posted by dnicks17
I'm jealous.
I live pretty close to Owen Sound, so I've seen Halmo play quite a few times. Probably my favourite player on the Attack in the last few seasons.
Heart and soul guy. Not the biggest or fastest, but he gives 'er 110% every shift. Finishes every check and he's one of those guys who flat out knows how to hit too. His offense has been a real bonus. He's definitely developed beyond the north-south player he was.
He's got a pro-ready game. He's looked better this season than Andrew Shaw was last season and you can see what Shaw has done at the NHL and AHL level this season.
Thanks for the assessment - very good to hear. Hopefully some of that throw down finds it's way to the Isles' roster.
I know I'm speaking WAAAAAY prematurely.....but come on, follow me here, if only 'cos I'm drunk:
Watching the hit and seeing the willingness to fight makes me happy with this move. Worst case is we have a tough kid in Bport willing to play the game hard and willing to drop the gloves. Best case we get a pain in the ass kid to play on the 3rd/ 4th line. We need to replace the cream puffs like Reasnor and Pandalfo.
Another career minor leaguer in the making IMO.
Improved each year down there in the OHL. Smallish guy, perfect for Bridgeport
so they can push their draft picks on big club.
Btw, you have 17, 18, 19 and 20 year olds in the OHL.
When players put up numbers like that as 17 year olds in their FIRST taste in the OHL. You take notice.
When they progress each year and max out at 20 years of age like Halmo did...well, you get the point.
In other words, don't expect too much.
I wish our media would not just throw out their NUMBERS in these tweets and news flashes. This is nothing to sneeze at, not worth the tissue.
The Islanders beat a lot of teams to Halmo's doorstep as several teams had their eyes on him and the Islanders chose not to let him go in the draft.
He will be a stellar 3rd or 4th line forward who should excel at the checking game and he is ready for pro hockey now.
He was a linemate of Chicago's Andrew Shaw who went undrafted for 2 years before the Hawks took a flyer on the kid in the 5th round. He signed an AHL contract(not an ELC) fore going an overage junior year and by Christmas he so impressed the Hawks they signed him to an ELC.
Great pick up by the Isles!
