AHL Utica Comets

Comet Tales: Colin Stuart Player Profile

Published on November 6, 2013 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Utica Comets News Release


Utica Comets left winger Colin Stuart has hockey experience coaches dream of and teammates benefit from.

The dream of skating and scoring in the National Hockey League is still alive for Stuart. Joining the Vancouver Canucks organization, and exhibiting his talents in the Mohawk Valley seemingly have Stuart on track to obtaining his career ambitions. Selected by the Atlanta Thrashers in the fifth round of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft, Stuart has had a busy 10 year run as a pro. Last season playing in Germany's Deutsche Eishockey League (DEL) for the Iserlohn Roosters, Stuart collected 21 points in 45 games. "Playing in Germany was a good experience," says Stuart, older brother to Winnipeg Jets defenseman Mark Stuart.

A veteran of 56 NHL contests with the Thrashers and Buffalo Sabres, Stuart credits his four-seasons of Division-I play at Colorado College in Colorado Springs for his readiness for the pro level. "We (Colorado College Tigers) competed against top tier programs every time we hit the ice," Stuart tells. Schedules included games against top flight Division I programs such as Denver University, Air Force Academy, and Western Michigan University, for Stuart and his Tiger teammates from 2000-2004. Games against such highly regarded programs fully prepared Stuart for what would lay ahead in the American Hockey League, and beyond. During two of Colin's seasons with the Tigers, brother Mark Stuart was his teammate. Mark would later be drafted in the first round by the Boston Bruins in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.

"It was amazing luck," Colin Stuart tells of his call-up to the Atlanta Thrashers in the 2007-'08 NHL season. "We played Boston in back-to-back games, and I scored a goal in each one of them." It was during those two memorable nights that the brothers were opponents.

Originally from Rochester, Minnesota, five AHL, one ECHL, two NHL, and one European organizations later, Stuart continues to lead by example of how a winner carries themself. It was during the 2007-2008 season, splitting ice time with Atlanta and their AHL affiliate Chicago Wolves, Colin Stuart earned a piece of respected hockey hardware. The Wolves won the Calder Cup that spring. As for where the championship ring is kept, according to Stuart it is "stowed away". "I haven't worn the ring in a couple of years. Mainly I wear it for show, at a function or something," Stuart states.

Before playing game 57 in the NHL, Stuart first must come through the Utica Memorial Auditorium and the continuing Comets schedule. Inspiring, relentless, exciting, this about sums up what Colin Stuart brings to the hockey world.

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