Former Tri-City Americans finding success in Europe
The European hockey scene is starting to resemble a reunion of Tri-City Americans players.
Brendan Shinnimin joined the European movement last week, signing a one-year deal to play for the Langnau Tigers (Switzerland, NL A).
In an injury-laden 2015-16 season, Shinnimin had five goals in 30 games for the Springfield Falcons (AHL).
Shinnimin, a native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, also played three seasons with the Portland Pirates (AHL). He had his best season in 2014-15, when he had 22 goals and 25 assists in 64 games. He also played 12 games with the NHL’s Arizona Coyotes that season, registering one assist.
But the full-time pro contract never came his way.
Shinnimin, who went unselected in the Western Hockey League bantam draft and the NHL draft, had 58 goals and 76 assists (134 points) in 69 games during his final season with the Americans (2011-12). He won the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy as the WHL’s top player, and he also was the league’s leading scorer.
With the Tigers, Shinnimin, 25, will play for former Tri-City assistant coach Scott Beattie.
Shinnimin is one of many former Tri-City players sprinkled among rosters in Italy, Switzerland, Germany, the Czech Republic, Scotland, Austria and Romania.
European teams are limited to the number of North American players on their rosters. Shinnimin is one of four for the Tigers.
Shinnimin’s former Americans teammate Adam Hughesman (2007-12) played last season for the Vipiteno Broncos (Italian Serie A).
In his first season overseas, Hughesman led the league in scoring with 26 goals and 39 assists in 42 games.
“The Italian league is like a stepping-stone. If you do well, you can move up,” Hughesman said. “I got a chance to go to the Austrian league.”
Hughesman will play for HC Orli Znojmo in the Czech Republic. The team plays in the Austrian Hockey League.
Former Tri-City forward Colton Yellow Horn (2006-08) played for HC Orli Znojmo last season and was named MVP of the Erste Bank Eishockey Liga after scoring 35 goals with 43 assists.
But Hughesman won’t get a chance to play with his former teammate, as Yellow Horn will move up to play in the Czech League.
“I hope they don’t expect me to be him,” Hughesman said.
To complete the Winnipeg trifecta, former Tri-City captain Mason Wilgosh (2007-12), who played four years at the University of Prince Edward Island, will begin his pro career this fall in Scotland. He signed with the Edinburgh Capitals of the United Kingdom’s Elite Ice Hockey League.
And they aren’t the only former Tri-City players making a living in Europe.
“Brooks Macek (2008-11) is here, Chet (Pickard, 2005-09) and (Justin) Feser (2008-13),” Hughesman said. “It’s pretty close to playing in the AHL. It’s a good living, for sure.”
Feser, who has played the past three seasons for EHC Olten in the Swiss league — and just signed on for two more — holds the WHL record for consecutive games played at 321.
Former Americans forwards Eric Johansson (1997-2002) and Dylan Stanley (2000-05), and goalie Tyler Weiman (2000-04) have played in Europe for several years with various teams.
Add to that list forwards Ian McDonald (2000-06), who is playing in Romania and led his league in scoring last year, and Pat Iannone (2001-03), who played in Italy but now is retired.
“I played in Europe the last five years,” Weiman said via a Facebook message. “Four years in Germany (DEL) and then last year in Italy (Serie A). I am still deciding on this year and weighing all the options to do what’s best for my family.”
Stanley played the past two seasons for VEU Feldkirch, an Austrian team in the Inter-National League. He will return this fall for the final season of a three-year contract. Stanley led the league in scoring last year with 26 goals and 30 assists in 32 games.
“I always tell everyone I am so grateful,” Stanley said of playing in Europe. “At this point in my life, I almost have to downplay it because I love it so much. It’s amazing to travel the world. There are things you can’t put a price tag on.”
Stanley and his wife, Maggie, have two children: Cooper, who was born in Italy; and Ella, who was born in Austria.
“Maggie is the glue that keeps it all together,” Stanley said. “She makes it easy to travel around the world and play hockey. Being a hockey player and a family man is so rewarding.”
In the midst of his travels, Stanley has run across former Tri-City players — even ones he hadn’t met before.
“Years ago, Igor Bacek (2005-06) came up to me after the game and told me he played in Tri-City after I did,” Stanley said. “The hockey world is so small. You run into familiar faces all over the world. It’s really cool.”
While Johansson, Weiman and Pickard were NHL draft picks, none of the others were.
“Tri-City produces really good hockey players, and it’s a shame we don’t get the recognition in North America that we should,” Hughesman said. “They have the skills to play. I have a feeling they just get overlooked.”
Annie Fowler: 509-582-1574, @TCHIceQueen
Living the European dream
Former Tri-City Americans players and the countries in which they are playing:
Adam Hughesman, Czech Republic
Dylan Stanley, Austria
Colton Yellow Horn, Czech Republic
Justin Feser, Switzerland
Brendan Shinnimin, Switzerland
Ian McDonald, Romania
Chet Pickard, Germany
Brooks Macek, Germany
Tyler Weiman, Italy
Eric Johansson, Germany
Mason Wilgosh, Scotland
Igor Bacek, Germany
This story was originally published July 19, 2016 at 4:02 PM with the headline "Former Tri-City Americans finding success in Europe."