Former Buckeye Hockey Players in the Pros – Ohio State Buckeyes
7/6/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Many professional hockey players represented Ohio State during the 2006-07 season. Six Buckeye alums saw time in the National Hockey League, while many others played in the American Hockey League, the ECHL and the UHL, as well as internationally.
In the NHL, R.J. Umberger continued his career with the Philadelphia Flyers, playing in 81 games, scoring 16 goals and adding 12 assists Ryan Kesler returned for his second year with the Vancouver Canucks, playing in 48 games, scoring six goals and 10 assists. This season, Umberger was joined by two more former Buckeyes, Nate Guenin and Eric Meloche. In his first year as a professional, Guenin played in nine games and totaled two assists, while Meloche played in 13 games, scoring one goal and two assists. Other NHL players representing the Buckeyes in the NHL included first-year pro Rod Pelley, who played nine games with the New Jersey Devils, and Dave Steckel, who saw action in five contests for the Washington Capitals.
Four Buckeyes who completed their eligibility in 2006-07 joined pro teams following the NCAA season – Bryce Anderson (Dayton/ECHL), Mathieu Beaudoin (Arizona/CHL), Sean Collins (Hershey/AHL), and Tyson Strachan (Albany/AHL).
Former Buckeyes 2006-07 Professional Statistics
NAME GP G A P PIM
Bryce Anderson (2004-07)
Dayton Bombers (ECHL) 18 2 7 9 4
Doug Andress (2001-04)
Johnstown Chiefs (ECHL) 57 10 19 29 34
Springfield Falcons (AHL) 9 0 2 2 16
Mike Bales (1990-92)
Straubing Tigers (DEL) 47 0 2 2 4
Mathieu Beaudoin (2004-07)
Arizona Sundogs (CHL) 14 2 1 3 14
Daymen Bencharski (2001-04)
Charlotte Checkers (ECHL) 68 26 21 47 109
J.B. Bittner (2002-05)
Augusta Lynx (ECHL) 48 15 25 40 34
Portland Pirates (AHL) 2 0 0 0 0
Iowa Stars (AHL) 5 0 0 0 0
Idaho Steelheads (ECHL) 12 6 4 10 20
Paul Caponigri (2001-04)
Chicago Hounds (UHL) 35 8 11 19 73
Kalamazoo Wings (UHL) 19 4 4 8 20
Dave Caruso (2003-06)
Gwinnett Gladiators (ECHL) 39 0 4 4 14
Chicago Wolves (AHL) 1 0 0 0 0
Sean Collins (2004-07)
Hershey Bears (AHL) 3 0 0 0 2
Jean-Francois Dufour (1998-01)
Briancon (France) 26 13 28 41 53
Nate Guenin (2003-06)
Philadelphia Phantoms (AHL) 68 3 9 12 92
Philadelphia Flyers (NHL) 9 0 2 2 4
Ryan Kesler (2003)
Vancouver Canucks (NHL) 48 6 10 16 40
Brandon Lafrance (1996-99)
Quebec RadioX (LNAH) 1 0 1 1 2
Jeff Maund (1998-99)
Cortina SG (Italy) 32 0 2 2 4
Scott May (2001-04)
Iowa Stars (AHL) 28 5 5 10 14
Eric Meloche (1997-00)
Philadelphia Phantoms (AHL) 49 11 13 24 82
Philadelphia Flyers (NHL) 13 1 2 3 4
Rod Pelley (2003-06)
New Jersey Devils (NHL) 9 0 0 0 0
Chris Richards (1996-99)
Youngstown Steelhounds (CHL) 62 39 67 106 137
Jason Selleke (1997-00)
Flint Generals (UHL) 67 24 20 44 182
Dave Steckel (2001-04)
Washington Capitals (NHL) 5 0 0 0 2
Tyson Strachan (2004-07)
Albany River Rats (AHL) 1 0 0 0 0
R.J. Umberger (2001-03)
Philadelphia Flyers (NHL) 81 16 12 28 41
