Acquired: Minnesota Wild, 6th-round selection (170th overall) in 2000.

Player No. 49 Profile: Name: Erik Reitz Team: Houston Aeros League: AHL Position: Center/Left Wing Hometown: Detroit, MI Height: 6'1" Weight: 210 lbs. Birth Date: 07/29/82

Insider's Edge:

Eric Reitz, a 6-1, 210 pound defenseman, is described as a very rough, physical player.

“Teammates love his intensity and toughness,” states one source. “He plays hard and has a good work ethic.”

Reitz needs to work on his speed, but sources say he is developing well and should get an opportunity with the Wild.

 

Drafted: Pittsburgh Penguins, 2nd-round selection (51st overall) in 1999.

Player No. 50 Profile: Name: Matt Murley Team: Wilkes Barre/Scranton Penguins League: AHL Position: Left Wing Hometown: Troy, NY Height: 6'1" Weight: 192 lbs. Birth Date: 12/17/79

 

Insider's Edge:

Matt Murley posted 58 points (21+37) and 45 penalty minutes in 73 games as an AHL rookie last season.

“He’s really quick,” said one source. “He’s good on the power play, that’s the strong part of his game.”

Look for Murley to get ice time in with the Baby Pens this year, as Pittsburgh is a veteran team and aren’t looking to rush him.

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Closing Shots

This year, the list is made up entirely of AHL players. Why?

There were no players assigned to AA teams this year that had the potential, in the opinion of the editiorial staff at MLN, to fast-track into the NHL this year. Further development of the NHL's relationships with AA clubs would probably improve the avenue for upward movement for players from that level.

Click on the pull-down, below, to select a player, or click on the page numbers at the bottom of the article to read on...

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