Season Preview: Jeremy Colliton

Jeremy Colliton

Height: 6'3"
Weight: 201 lbs
Birthdate: January 13, 1985 (Age 26)
Birthplace: Blackie, Alberta, Canada
Acquired: Draft, Round 2, 58th overall, 2003 NHL Entry Draft

2010-2011 Team: Bridgeport Sound Tigers/New York Islanders
2010-2011 Stats (BPT): 53 GP - 18 G - 27 A - 45 P - 57 PIM
2010-2011 Stats (NYI): 15 GP - 2 G - 1 A - 3 P - 10 PIM
2011-2012 Team: Bridgeport Sound Tigers
Team Role: Second Line Center

Last year: Colliton originally left the Islanders after the 2008-09 season to go play for Rogle in the Swedish Elite League. However, a call back from Garth Snow last season brought Colliton back into the organization in an AHL capacity. Soon after, injuries decimated the Islanders at the NHL level and brought Colliton back to the NHL. Playing on a line primarily with Rhett Rakhshani in the AHL, Colliton put up a very solid 45 points in 53 games. At the NHL level, Colliton joined up mostly with Blake Comeau and Josh Bailey and put in a 2 goal game against the Colorado Avalanche soon after his call-up. A defensively responsible center, Colliton is not asked to light the lamp often, but can play in all zones and was a big help for the Sound Tigers and a good call-up for the Islanders.

Expectations: After the season, Colliton was rewarded for his good play and leadership (he wore an "A" in Bridgeport), and signed another one year, two-way deal from the Islanders. The Islanders have a lot of depth at forward this year, so unless the injury bug hits hard again it's unlikely we will see Colliton at the NHL level this season. But at the very least, he is in the running to be the captain at Bridgeport. At age 26, he is a veteran at the AHL level and will help young rookies like Casey Cizikas and Tyler McNeely settle in. It's no question that Colliton will be counted on as a leader for the Sound Tigers, the only thing that is left to wonder is if he can replicate the point production he gave last year.

Projections: 71 GP - 21 G - 29 A - 50 P

Thoughts:

CH: The Sound Tigers need Colliton to have a similar season he did last year, and there's no reason to think he won't given that he is just entering his prime. Colliton's defensive game has always been his driver, and to see his offensive game rounding out at the AHL level as he enters his prime is a nice surprise. Even if he never becomes a true NHL regular, he will always have a role in an NHL organization if he accepts assignment to the AHL. With Colliton, David Ullstrom, Casey Cizikas, and Trevor Frischmon - along with Tomas Marcinko and Tony Romano, the Islanders are set at center at the AHL level. While there are no true AHL superstars in that bunch, they are a solid crew that errs on the side of defense, which plays right into the strength of the team: goaltending. A lot of these players have the opportunity to learn from Colliton, which will only help down the road. As we said above, he is in the running for the captaincy at Bridgeport, and would make a fine choice.

AT: Colliton has always been a huge part of the Bridgeport team and even proved to be a decent NHL callup, having a multigoal game in his first game up with the Isles last season. He, along with Frischmon and Backman, is one of the oldest players on the team, but he is one who has been with the team the longest and knows the system like the back of his glove. He will be taking on a leadership role with the team and will guide the newcomers into Brent Thompson's new style of play as compared to Jack Capuano's. If you're looking for a captain for Bridgeport, I don't think you need to look any further than Colliton.