Aaron Boyer
Stats: 27 y/o Right Wing; 29 GP, 15 G, 4 A, 19 Pts, -15
Thoughts: Boyer is a SUNY product who averages half a point per game and plays a hard, grinding style. 4 of 19 points were on the powerplay. His numbers in his first pro season were pretty consistent with his college production, but his style doesn't fit very well with the team he plays for. May be best served with a trade to another team that prefers a more contact friendly brand of puck.
Verdict: I got the impression for most of the first season that Cape Cod was not looking to be a physical team. I'm curious where a player of his style fits into the finesse equation.
Christopher Testa
Stats: 24 y/o Goaltender; 2-11-0, 4.61 GAA, .884 Pct
Thoughts: Testa's numbers don't do him any justice. In today's game, it's very easy to argue that a goaltender is only good as the players in front of him (Luongo in the last two Stanley Cup games, anyone?). The relative lack of solid defensive play by Cape Cod is the larger culprit behind Testa's numbers. Danbury fans had a chance to see him quite a few times when Cape Cod came to town, and he always put in a solid performance that was mired only by his teammates leaving him out to dry. He was, after all, a big factor in the Aviators' undefeated season two years prior, averaging very near a 94% save average and 1.25 goals against. With a good team in front of him, look for him to split the duties with Skoggard and repeat those kinds of numbers.
Verdict: The combination of Testa and Skoggard is deadly against anybody they play; truly makes them a team with two starting goaltenders. He stays.
Matthew Marchell
Stats: 23 y/o Defenseman; 32 GP, 1 G, 5 A, 6 Pts, -6
Thoughts: Marchell was brought on as an offensive defenseman (noticing a trend?) expected not only to set up the rush from the blueline, but contribute offensively in his own right. He disappointed on the powerplay, and registered only two dozen shots in nearly three dozen games. For his intended purpose, he didn't deliver at all. Big question mark in terms of keeping him to see if he can adapt to the new team, or trading him to somebody looking for a role player.
Verdict: D3 Offensive Player of The Year in Crookston proves he can produce for a Dman, but Cape Cod has plenty of people who can produce. Eventually they need to find a Dman who can stop the other team from producing, and one of the offensive guys has to go to do it.
Peter Skoggard
Stats: 22 y/o Goaltender; 24 GP, 11-7-5, 3.30 GAA, .916 Pct
Thoughts: Skoggard should be very familiar to Danbury fans, as he signed with the team temporarily halfway through the season in a very quiet trade. Brought on when Danbury's goaltending tandem was in question, he started a few games in place of Nick Niedert, stifling opposing teams with the classic deep-in-the-net style very typical of modern Swedish goalies. He played 17 games with Cape Cod and 7 with Danbury, finishing with very respectable numbers, keeping in mind both teams played better offensively than defensively. After the FHL season, had a brief stint with the Augusta Riverhawks of the SPHL, playing 7 games there and logging in at 6-0-0, 2.54 GAA, .924 Pct.
Verdict: Cape Cod has completely lost their minds if they don't keep him.
New York Aviators
The Aviators will wind up being the team with the least change in their protected list, and for good reason. This is a team that ended its season first place in the FHL, coming hot off a 21 game winning streak, and was arguably upset by the Warriors in the finals. They have a winning chemistry with no real identity crisis to sort out, and are essentially looking to do the same thing they already have done for an entire season.
Jesse Felten
Stats: 24 y/o Center; 46 GP, 21 G, 26 A, 47 Pts, +17
Thoughts: Oh, Jesse Felten....how they love to hate you. Planted himself firmly in the crosshairs of Danbury fans before the first game of opening weekend was even halfway finished. Felten is an undeniably great hockey player who matches his raw talent only in his ability to be an absolutely infuriating pest. From goaltenders to opposing faceoff partners, all the way to players on the bench, he seemed to find a way to get under everybody's skin and completely take them off their game. Posted 47 points in 46 games, and another 14 points in 9 playoff games. Equally capable of setting up a gorgeous pass as he is burying the puck solo, and a powerplay phenom to boot, there's not too much to dislike about Felten from a value standpoint.
Verdict: Already signed a contract with the Aviators for this season, won't be going anywhere. Part of his prowess was the chemistry he's developed with linemate Matt Puntureri over the time they've spent playing together. Now that Puntureri has gone to New Jersey, it'll be very intriguing to see who steps up as Felten's new linemate, and whether or not they'll have the same strong chemistry. Make no mistake, he's a franchise player.
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