The SPHL released the protected lists for its teams on June 5th, including the IceGators. Here are the rules regarding how the protected list works (H/T to Knoxville coach Mike Craigen):
Last week, Coach Drew Omicioli and GM Lou Dumont made the difficult decision to trim down the roster to the thirteen man limit.
- Each team can protect thirteen players including anyone who was on their playoff roster, injured reserve or on ECHL call-up at the end of the season.
- Each list can only include three "veteran" players. A veteran (by SPHL definition) is someone who has played 224 or more regular season games as a professional. IceGators who fall under this rule include Shawn McNeil (881 games), Jake Hauswirth (300) and Tyler Barr (247).
- There is an 1,100 game cap of the three veteran players.
- Unprotected players can sign with any other SPHL team but cannot re-sign with their previous team prior to August 1st.
- The expansion Macon Mayhem selected six players from the pool of unprotected SPHL players in a draft that took place on May 4th. No more than two players can be selected from any single team.
Last week, Coach Drew Omicioli and GM Lou Dumont made the difficult decision to trim down the roster to the thirteen man limit.
Scott Diebold - Goalie: Diebold was a late season collegiate signing from RPI in the ECAC, and made an immediate impact on the team. He took over the starting goaltending duties at the end of the season - compiling a stellar 3-1 record with a 2.00 GAA and .931 SV% - and backstopped the IceGators into the second round of the playoffs, including a huge upset of top-seeded Peoria. Diebold is a priority acquisition for next season, and was a must-add to the protected list.
Jake Hauswirth - Center: The longtime ECHL player came to Louisiana in midseason, and the big 6'4" center put up 21 goals and 22 assists in 37 games. Hauswirth is a beast up the middle, and has the ability to take over a game.
Jeremy Boyer - Center: An IceGator since the 2012-13 season, Boyer is one of the best second-line centers in the league. A crafty player with soft hands, he dished out 28 assists to go along with 17 goals last season.
Luke Kasteel - Center: A hard-nosed third-line center, Luke is the kind of player who can provide offensive punch (6G, 19A) with the ability to drop the gloves when needed. Injuries limited Kasteel to only 32 games this season.
Adam Stuart - Right Wing: Stuart led the IceGators in scoring, with 21 goals and 32 assists. The 6'2" forward with a mean streak has put up back-to-back 50 point seasons since coming to the IceGators in '13-14. UPDATE: Traded to Peoria for C Alex Hudson.
Chris Wilson - Left Wing: A pure shooter, the 4th year SPHL veteran had his lowest offensive output this season... That is, if you want to call 18 goals and 25 assists low. Dangerous in the offensive zone, and aggressive on defense. Put up a team-leading 3 goals in the playoffs, including the series-clincher against the Rivermen.
Matt Viola - Left Wing: Viola spent time between Louisiana and Huntsville this season, and put up 10 goals and 26 assists between the two teams this season. Matt should have an excellent chance to play on the second line next season.
Benjamin Rubin - Left Wing: Put up 30 points (12G, 18A) in his first season with the IceGators this season, spending most of the year on the top line.
Stephen Buco - Left Wing: Another late season college (UMass-Boston) pickup, and the hero of the double-overtime game against Peoria, Buco put up 5 points (2G, 3A) in postseason play.
Tanner Burton - Defense: Called up to ECHL Wheeling late in the season, Burton is an offensive-minded defenseman who can also play well in his own end. Put up 7 goals and 19 assists to lead all defensemen on the team in only 40 games.
Mitch Stretch - Defense: The most improved player from the '13-14 team, the big 6'2" blueliner led the IceGators with a +10 plus/minus rating (from a -14 the previous season). Stretch made great strides in improving his skating and his defensive zone positioning, while contributing 4 goals and 14 assists in 45 games before an injury ended his season prematurely. Rapidly developing into a shut-down defensive player.
Jordan Ciccarello - Defense: The well-traveled (ECHL Elmira. FHL Danbury, and ECHL Greenvile) Ciccarello found his place in Cajun country, and was a solid addition as a stay-at-home defenseman.
Dan Cornell - Defense: The third of the collegiate acquisitions (again, UMass-Boston) to make the protected list, Cornell put up 3 assists in the final 7 regular-season games, and another 3 assists in the playoffs. Look for Cornell to compete next season for a top-4 defenseman spot.
Jake Hauswirth - Center: The longtime ECHL player came to Louisiana in midseason, and the big 6'4" center put up 21 goals and 22 assists in 37 games. Hauswirth is a beast up the middle, and has the ability to take over a game.
Jeremy Boyer - Center: An IceGator since the 2012-13 season, Boyer is one of the best second-line centers in the league. A crafty player with soft hands, he dished out 28 assists to go along with 17 goals last season.
Luke Kasteel - Center: A hard-nosed third-line center, Luke is the kind of player who can provide offensive punch (6G, 19A) with the ability to drop the gloves when needed. Injuries limited Kasteel to only 32 games this season.
Adam Stuart - Right Wing: Stuart led the IceGators in scoring, with 21 goals and 32 assists. The 6'2" forward with a mean streak has put up back-to-back 50 point seasons since coming to the IceGators in '13-14. UPDATE: Traded to Peoria for C Alex Hudson.
Chris Wilson - Left Wing: A pure shooter, the 4th year SPHL veteran had his lowest offensive output this season... That is, if you want to call 18 goals and 25 assists low. Dangerous in the offensive zone, and aggressive on defense. Put up a team-leading 3 goals in the playoffs, including the series-clincher against the Rivermen.
Matt Viola - Left Wing: Viola spent time between Louisiana and Huntsville this season, and put up 10 goals and 26 assists between the two teams this season. Matt should have an excellent chance to play on the second line next season.
Benjamin Rubin - Left Wing: Put up 30 points (12G, 18A) in his first season with the IceGators this season, spending most of the year on the top line.
Stephen Buco - Left Wing: Another late season college (UMass-Boston) pickup, and the hero of the double-overtime game against Peoria, Buco put up 5 points (2G, 3A) in postseason play.
Tanner Burton - Defense: Called up to ECHL Wheeling late in the season, Burton is an offensive-minded defenseman who can also play well in his own end. Put up 7 goals and 19 assists to lead all defensemen on the team in only 40 games.
Mitch Stretch - Defense: The most improved player from the '13-14 team, the big 6'2" blueliner led the IceGators with a +10 plus/minus rating (from a -14 the previous season). Stretch made great strides in improving his skating and his defensive zone positioning, while contributing 4 goals and 14 assists in 45 games before an injury ended his season prematurely. Rapidly developing into a shut-down defensive player.
Jordan Ciccarello - Defense: The well-traveled (ECHL Elmira. FHL Danbury, and ECHL Greenvile) Ciccarello found his place in Cajun country, and was a solid addition as a stay-at-home defenseman.
Dan Cornell - Defense: The third of the collegiate acquisitions (again, UMass-Boston) to make the protected list, Cornell put up 3 assists in the final 7 regular-season games, and another 3 assists in the playoffs. Look for Cornell to compete next season for a top-4 defenseman spot.