Arshdeep Bains, Justin Brazeau, Mason Morelli, Marshall Rifai, Matt Rempe and Matthew Villalta all debuted in the National Hockey League in the past five days.
It's been a busy week for AHL alumni, as six vets of the American League have debuted in the National Hockey League in the past five days.
All-Star Classic MVP Arshdeep Bains made his NHL debut last night before a home-province crowd as the Canucks fell to the Avalanche 3-1. Bains logged 13:21 of ice time, took one penalty, registered two shots on net, dished out three hits and blocked one shot. He finished the contest with a -2. The 23-year-old has 39 points in 42 games with the AHL's Abbotsford Canucks.
It was a big night for newcomers on Monday, as Justin Brazeau, Mason Morelli and Marshall Rifai all made their NHL debuts on the evening.
Brazeau, 26, had a night to remember following signing a new contract with the Boston Bruins. The undrafted winger scored his first NHL goal in his very first game in the second period to tie the game between the B's and Dallas Stars, route to a 4-3 shootout win. Brazeau logged 11:22 of ice time with a +2, with five shots on net. He currently has 18 goals and 37 points in 49 games with the Providence Bruins.
Mason Morelli, 28, has two points in his first two National Hockey League games with the Vegas Golden Knights. The North Dakota native scored a first-period power play marker in the second period, assisting on Keegan Kolesar's second-period goal during the Golden Knights's Monday shutout against the San Jose Sharks. Morelli, an AHL vet of the Stockton Heat, Hershey Bears and Henderson Silver Knights, currently has 23 points in 44 AHL games this season.
Twenty-five-year-old blueliner Marshall Rifai was the latest call-up from the Marlies to the Maple Leafs on Monday. Rifai logged 11:33 of ice time against the BluesHe, adding one shot, three hits and one block. He currently sits with a sturdy +15 with 11 points in 34 games in the AHL this season.
Matt Rempe, a 21-year-old centreman, made his debut with the New York Ranger this past Sunday during the wild stadium series contest between the Rangers and Islanders. He played just 4:26 of ice time, banking five penalty minutes and registering one hit. The sixth-round pick of the Rangers in 2020 has 12 points in 43 games with the Hartford Wolf Pack this season.
Finally, sturdy Tucson goaltender Matthew Villalta made his NHL debut on Friday, February 16th against the Hurricanes, entering in relief for Karel Vejmelka, and stopping all four shots he'd face in the third period. He'd suit up properly on the 19th against the Edmonton Oilers, yielding five goals on 25 shots against. The 24-year-old third-rounder of the LA Kings in 2017 has 22 wins and two shutouts with a 2.58 GAA and .913 SP with Tucson this season.