Quartet of RedHawk Seniors Sign Pro Contracts
3/28/2012 12:00:00 AM | Hockey
March 28, 2012
Washington Capitals Release: Cameron Schilling
Ottawa Senators Release: Chris Wideman
Chicago Express Release: Patrick Tiesling and Matt Tomassoni
OXFORD, Ohio - With Miami junior forward Reilly Smith already set to make his NHL debut with the Dallas Stars Wednesday, four more RedHawks could make their professional debuts this week as seniors Cameron Schilling, Patrick Tiesling, Matt Tomassoni and Chris Wideman all inked deals in the last two days.
Schilling(Carmel, Ind.), who was a free agent following his collegiate career at Miami, signed a two-year entry-level contract with the National Hockey League's Washington Capitals on Tuesday. Schilling's contract will not start until next year, however, as he reports to Washington's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Hershey Bears, Wednesday where he will play under a tryout agreement for the rest of the Bears' season.
"Cameron was a highly sought-after college free agent and we are delighted that he signed with the Washington Capitals," said Washington general manager George McPhee. "He will be a solid pro for many years."
Schilling played in 39 games in his senior campaign as a defenseman, registering 14 points, including 13 assists. He posted a +13 rating while committing 10 penalties for 20 minutes. The 6-foot-2, 197-pound blueliner played on both Miami's power play and penalty kill while blocking 53 shots, which was third on the team. He earned CCHA Defenseman of the Week Jan. 9 and was named to the Denver Cup Classic All-Tournament Team, helping lead the `Hawks to the title. Schilling helped Miami pitch seven shutouts during the year while the defense ranked third nationally, allowing 2.10 goals per game.
For his career, Schilling played in 144 games over four years while totaling 58 points on 50 assists and eight goals. He finished with a +55 rating for his career and totaled 155 PIM (on 64 penalties) while tallying 10 multi-point games, including two as a senior. He was named to two NCAA All-Region Teams, doing so for the West Regional as a freshman in 2009 and for the Midwest Regional as a sophomore in 2010. Schilling also earned CCHA Defenseman of the Week once as a junior as well.
Schilling will likely make his professional debut Saturday, March 31 against the St. John's Ice Caps at 7 p.m.
Wideman (St. Louis, Mo.) also signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday and will start his career with Ottawa's AHL affiliate, the Binghamton Senators. Wideman was drafted by Ottawa in the fourth round of the 2009 NHL entry draft. The 5-foot-10, 181-pound defenseman will wear No. 9 for Binghamton and make his debut Wednesday night against the Hershey Bears at 7:05 p.m. Wideman joins former RedHawk Pat Cannone ('11) in the lineup Wednesday, as Cannone also plays for Binghamton after the joining the team following his collegiate career last year.
Wideman played in all 41 games for Miami this year and was the RedHawks' top scoring defenseman, totaling 24 points on 20 assists and four goals, three of which came in his final five games. His 20 assists were second on the team while his 24 points tied for fourth. He posted a +22 rating while totaling 40 penalty minutes on 16 penalties and finished his career on a career-long five-game point streak. Wideman earned CCHA Defenseman of the Week Nov. 21, his third such honor of his career.
Wideman finished his career third in Miami history with 163 games played while totaling 95 points, including 83 assists. He was +58 during his time as a RedHawk while scoring two game-winning goals and eight power play goals. He recorded 17 multi-point games in his career, including 12 multi-assist games (three as a senior). Wideman was whistled for 81 penalties for 181 minutes at Miami. He earned Second-Team All-CCHA honors as a junior last year and was also named All-CCHA Rookie Team in 2009.
Tiesling (Rhinelander, Wisc.) and Tomassoni(Carol Stream, Ill.) each signed contracts Wednesday with the Chicago Express of the ECHL (formerly East Coast Hockey League), which is the "AA" affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets. Tomassoni signed a standard player contract while Tiesling was inked to an amateur tryout agreement. Both are scheduled to make their pro debut Wednesday night as well against the Cincinnati Cyclones at 8 p.m. ET.
Tiesling, who will wear No. 26 for the Express, is a defensive forward who played in 38 games for Miami as a senior. He totaled a career-high nine points on two goals and seven assists this past season. The 6-foot-2, 202-pounder played in 68 games in two years as a RedHawk after transferring from Bowling Green. He totaled 25 points in his four years as a collegiate player, including 16 at Miami, while scoring all four of his goals as a RedHawk. Tiesling, a mainstay on Miami's penalty kill, blocked 37 shots this year, which was tops among RedHawk forwards.
Tomassoni, who will wear No. 24 for Chicago, played both forward and defenseman during his time at Miami, appearing in 39 games this year while racking up 12 points on six goals and assists each. He notched a pair of game-winning goals and his first two career short-handed goals while totaling 12 penalties for 24 minutes. The 5-foot-10, 170-pound grinder finished his career playing in 138 games with 38 career points (16g, 22a). He finished with a +22 career rating and 126 career blocked shots, including 34 this year.
Smith, who signed an entry-level contract with the Dallas Stars on Sunday, will become the fourth RedHawk to make his NHL debut this year when the Stars face the Edmonton Oilers at 9:30 p.m. ET Wednesday night. Smith will be facing former RedHawk and current Oiler Ryan Jones ('08) in the game, which will be televised on Fox Sports Southwest. The other former RedHawks to debut this year are Carter Camper ('11) with the Boston Bruins, Andy Miele ('11) with the Phoenix Coyotes and Jarod Palmer ('10) with the Minnesota Wild.
With Schilling and Wideman each signing entry-level contracts in the last two days and Smith signing his Sunday, a total of 19 RedHawks have now signed NHL contracts since 2000.
--MURedHawks.com--
