Coyotes Assign Seven to Pirates

Published on September 25, 2014 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Portland Pirates News Release


Saco, ME - Arizona Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney announced today the reassignment of seven players from the Arizona Coyotes to the Portland Pirates.

Among those reassigned were defensemen Mark Louis, James Melindy, Justin Hache, Patrick McNeill, and Evan Oberg, as well as forwards Greg Carey and Eric Selleck.

Louis, a 6-foot-4, 225 native of Ponoka, Alberta has played for the Portland Pirates since February of 2012. Last season while playing mostly as a forward, Louis suited up for 56 games and scored 1-4-5 with 89 penalty minutes. The goal was his first as a pro. Converting back to his natural position at defense this season, the 27 year-old signed with Portland after playing four seasons at St. Francis Xavier University.

Melindy enters his second season with Portland after being drafted in the 3rd Round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft by Arizona. The 6-foot-3, 195 pound St. John's, Newfoundland native played 38 games in his rookie season, scoring 2-0-2. The 20 year-old made his pro debut at the end of the 2012-13 regular season with Portland, suiting up in two games. He skated three seasons for the Moncton Wildcats of the QMJHL before turning pro.

Hache plays in his first professional season this year after getting a taste of pro hockey by playing in the Pirates' final six regular season in 2013-14. The 6-foot-2, 202 pounder from Petit-Rocher, New Brunswick was selected by the Coyotes in the 7th Round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. The 20 year-old played two QMJHL seasons with the Shawinigan Cataractes from 2010-12 and two more seasons with the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles from 2012-14. He was a part Shawinigan's 2012 MasterCard Memorial Cup championship team. Hache received the Kevin Lowe Trophy as the best defensive defenseman in the QMJHL and was named a 2nd Team QMJHL All-Star last season.

McNeill enters his first season with Portland after signing with the Coyotes organization as a free agent over the summer. The 6-foot, 195 pound native of Strathroy, Ontario has played seven professional seasons, six of them with the Hershey Bears. He spent last season with the Springfield Falcons, scoring a career-high 11 goals to go along with 26 assists and 37 points in 63 games. The 27 year-old also notched four assists in five playoff games with the Falcons in 2013-14. Originally a Washington Capitals 4th Round Draft Pick in 2005, he skated four seasons with the OHL's Saginaw Spirit before turning pro.

Oberg also begins his first season in a Pirates uniform after signing an AHL contract with Portland as a free agent this summer. He is a 6-foot, 191 pound native of Forestberg, Alberta who scored 6-19-25 in 60 games with the Chicago Wolves last season. Oberg has played six seasons of pro hockey and was a member of the 2012 Calder Cup Champion Norfolk Admirals. He skated in another Calder Cup Final in 2013 with the Syracuse Crunch. The 26 year-old has played in seven NHL games over his career, including four with the Vancouver Canucks and three with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Before turning pro, Oberg played two seasons of college hockey with the University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs.

Carey rejoins the Pirates for his first full professional seasons after scoring 1-1-2 in 13 games with Portland last season. After completing his senior season at St. Lawrence University, the 24 year-old Hamilton, Ontario native signed an entry level contract with Arizona. In 38 games with the Saints last season, the 6-foot, 195 pound Carey scored 18-39-57 and was one of three finalists for the 2014 Hobey Baker Award, given to the best NCAA Division I Men's Hockey player.

Selleck enters his first season with Portland after signing an AHL contract with the Pirates during the off-season. The 6-foot-2, 208 pound Brockville, Ontario native scored 6-6-12 and racked up 163 PIM in 60 total games (42 with the San Antonio Rampage and 18 with the Chicago Wolves). The 26 year-old played in two NHL games with the Florida Panthers during the 2012-13 season. He turned pro after playing two seasons with the Oswego State Lakers (NCAA Division III).

Thursday's assignments bring the total of players assigned to Portland by Arizona to 11. They join defensemen Joel Hanley and Jordan Southorn, as well as forwards Dan O'Donoghue and Dyson Stevenson, who were all assigned to Portland in the last week.

Players report for training camp at the team's official High Performance Training and Practice facility, the OA Sports Center, in Saco this Monday, September 29 with the first on-ice session beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 30 at the MHG Ice Center.

The Portland Pirates are returning to the newly-renovated Cross Insurance Arena in 2014-15! Pirates Opening Night, Presented by Bill Dodge Auto Group, is Saturday, October 11 when the Pirates face their Atlantic Division rivals, the Providence Bruins at 7:00 p.m.! The special Opening Night Pack starts at $32 and includes an opening night ticket, a Pirates t-shirt, and another ticket to a game of your choice. Other packages start with the Six Pack Pick-'Em for $96, all the way up to the Full Season package. For more information or to order your Pirates tickets today, call 207-PIRATES or go online to portlandpirates.com.

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