As briefly discussed in the best posts topic I am going to be compiling a player profile for each player in the organization. I will be doing them alphabetically just so it reduces the chances of me missing someone
I will eventually be editing these into the first 3 posts in this thread, I hope that is enough space.
And to start it off I have the first two players done.
00 - Sena Acolatse [RD]
Cap Hit | FA Status | One/Two Way Deal | Waiver Status | Height | Weight | Shoots | DOB | Birthplace
$700,000 | RFA 2015 | Two Way | Not Exempt | 6'0 | 210 | R | Nov. 28th, 1990 | Hayward, California
Season | Team | Lge | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | +/-
2006-07 | Seattle Thunderbirds | WHL | 45 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 61 | -1
2007-08 | Seattle Thunderbirds | WHL | 71 | 7 | 24 | 31 | 107 | 19
2008-09 | Seattle Thunderbirds | WHL | 70 | 7 | 14 | 21 | 143 | -15
2009-10 | Seattle Thunderbirds | WHL | 39 | 13 | 9 | 22 | 35 | -14
2009-10 | Saskatoon Blades | WHL | 30 | 3 | 10 | 13 | 25 | -3
2010-11 | Saskatoon Blades | WHL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0
2010-11 | Prince George Cougars | WHL | 66 | 15 | 48 | 63 | 128 | 0
2010-11 | Worcester Sharks | AHL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1
2011-12 | Worcester Sharks | AHL | 65 | 8 | 13 | 21 | 89 | -16
2012-13 | Worcester Sharks | AHL | 50 | 4 | 17 | 21 | 62 | -7
2013-14 | Worcester Sharks | AHL | 41 | 5 | 12 | 17 | 66 | -5
When the San Jose Sharks decided to allow their first and only bay area born player in Sena Acolatse to walk as a free agent due to not receiving a qualifying offer it left some Sharks fans scratching their heads and a little upset. Acolatse was a bit of a fan favorite during his time with the Sharks AHL affiliate in Worcester Massachusetts, he earned this badge of honor by being a blue collar defenseman that laid it all on the line for his team. In three professional seasons Acolatse has only played 157 games, missing significant time in his second and third seasons due to injuries caused by playing the style of game that made him a fan favorite. In the end it was likely these injuries that resulted in him not receiving a qualifying offer.
In the second half of the 2012-13 season Acolatse blocked a shot with his face, while he was lucky enough to escape a concussion he missed nearly one third of the season due to a broken jaw. When Acolatse returned to the lineup he appeared to be a bit gun-shy which resulted in his physical game falling off a bit. Late in the 2013-14 season serious injury struck again, this time a blocked shot broke Acolatse's leg and caused him to miss 24 games. He managed to return to the lineup for the Worcester Sharks final 2 games. Over his three seasons with the Sharks AHL affiliate Acolatse amassed 17 goals and 59 points.
The scouting reports indicate that Acolatse is a right handed shot who has a cannon from the point, skates very well and plays a mean physical game. He was projected to max out as a number 4 defenseman but with his injuries he appears to be a long shot to reach his potential. Acolatse will get his opportunities with the Calgary Flames, as he will be one of the most experienced players on the blueline in Adirondack. His hard hitting style will make him a fan favorite in Glens Falls.
Acolatse’s value to the Flames in the long run is difficult to measure, but his immediate value is obvious with the AHL Flames losing Chad Billins, Chris Breen, Brady Lamb, Dean Arsene and Kane LaFranchise he will looked upon as a leader both on and off the ice. Acolatse will likely play on Adirondack’s top pairing with sophomore Tyler Wotherspoon and has a good shot at making his NHL debut as one of only two right handed defensemen in the pipeline for the Flames. At just 23 years of age a strong season could see Acolatse become an important prospect for the rebuilding Flames who have a shortage of defensemen in that age range.
51 - Kenneth Agostino Jr [LW]
Cap Hit | FA Status | One/Two Way Deal | Waiver Status | Height | Weight | Shoots | DOB | Birthplace
$845,000 | RFA 2015 | Two Way | Exempt | 6'1 | 201 | L | Apr. 30th, 1992 | Flanders, New Jersey
Season | Team | Lge | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | +/-
2010-11 | Yale University | ECAC | 31 | 11 | 14 | 25 | 30 |
2011-12 | Yale University | ECAC | 33 | 14 | 20 | 34 | 32 |
2012-13 | Yale University | ECAC | 37 | 17 | 24 | 41 | 32 |
2013-14 | Yale University | ECAC | 33 | 14 | 18 | 32 | 46 |
2013-14 | Calgary Flames | NHL | 8 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | -2
Acquired in what could be regarded as the biggest trade in Calgary Flames history, Ken Agostino was brought on board as a piece of the Jarome Iginla trade. The trade happened a mere days before Agostino faced off in the biggest tournament of his collegiate career, the NCAA Frozen Four. The then left winger for the Yale Bulldogs was a key player in eventual championship win by Yale. In the championship game Agostino was integral in both goals due to excellent defensive plays. Despite winning the NCAA Championship Agostino returned to Yale for his fourth year in order to complete his degree in Political Science.
The 2013-14 season was not as successful for Agostino and the Bulldogs, despite peppering the opposition with shots Agostino finished with only 14 goals and 32 points, his worst offensive season in 3 years. Through his four year college career Agostino scored 56 goals and amassed 76 assists in 134 games. Following the conclusion of Yale’s season Agostino signed with the Calgary Flames and joined the team down the stretch. He appeared in 8 games and got on the scoreboard a couple of times with a goal and an assist.
If he were a baseball player they would refer to Agostino as a five tool player because he can and does do it all and has no area that is considered a weakness. The winger is a very coachable player whose commitment to his team is second to none, everything he does is for the better of the club. Agostino is a bit odd in the sense that he has no single abilities that stand out with the exception of his defensive zone commitment, everything he does is above average with no glaring holes in his game. He has a good shot that he is not afraid to use, his has soft hands and has shown an ability to make tough passes, Agostino skates well and gets physically involved.
The Flames depth on the Left side could force Agostino to move to his off wing, but that should not create much of a problem as he did play a little on his off wing in college. In the short term Agostino will likely join the Adirondack Flames for his rookie AHL season, he will likely be used in a middle six in a two-way capacity. If he is moved to the right side it would not be shocking to see Agostino play opposite either Gaudreau or Baertschi for the majority of the AHL season. Long term Agostino projects to be a high energy do it all type winger, most likely in a third line capacity with an outside shot at becoming a top six forward.
46 - Bill Arnold [C]
Cap Hit | FA Status | One/Two Way Deal | Waiver Status | Height | Weight | Shoots | DOB | Birthplace
$887,500 | RFA 2015 | Two Way | Exempt | 6'0 | 210 | R | May 13th, 1992 | Needham, Massachusetts
Season | Team | Lge | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | +/-
2009-10 | U.S. National Under-18 Team | USHL | 26 | 8 | 15 | 23 | 20 | 15
2010-11 | Boston College | H-East | 39 | 10 | 10 | 20 | 38 |
2011-12 | Boston College | H-East | 42 | 17 | 19 | 36 | 46 |
2012-13 | Boston College | H-East | 38 | 17 | 18 | 35 | 40 |
2013-14 | Boston College | H-East | 40 | 14 | 39 | 53 | 51 |
2013-14 | Calgary Flames | NHL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1
Having spent the past four seasons under the tutelage of Jerry York at Boston College Bill Arnold has managed to make a name for himself as one third of one of the greatest lines in NCAA hockey history. The 2010 fourth round draft choice capped off a very good NCAA career with his best season. In his four year career Arnold played in 159 games for the Eagles and out together some solid career numbers with 58 goals and 86 points. On top of some great individual numbers Arnold was also a member of the teams 2012 Nation Championship.
The senior year is often the most productive for college players, but not too many can boast an improvement of 17 points and posting more assists as a senior than they had for a career high in points heading into the season. But that is just what Arnold did with his 39 assists as a senior. Following a very productive year in college Arnold, along with BC teammate Johnny Gaudreau signed with the Calgary Flames and proceeded to make their NHL debuts on the final night of the NHL’s regular season. Arnold was held off the score sheet but gave the Flames a sample of his faceoff attributes winning 5 of 9 in his debut.
While not an overly large player, Arnold has a thick build and uses it to his benefit. Known primarily for his defensive acumen Arnold has carved a niche for himself and was arguably the best defensive forward in the NCAA in his senior year. In addition to his strong defensive play, Arnold was quite strong on faceoffs as he approached 60% towards the end of his final season. Arnold also is known to quickly jump to the defense of his teammates and was named an alternate captain for the Boston College Eagles.
When thinking of Bill Arnold the fans of the Calgary Flames quickly project their long term hopes that he can have the same impact as Stephane Yelle did in the mid-2000s. As a gritty centerman that can win draws and put the occasional point on the board those fan hopes may not be too far from reality as Arnold grows as a player. In the meantime Arnold will fight for the job as the Flames fourth line center, but ultimately will likely end up with the farm club in Adirondack playing a middle six role as he adjusts to the pro game.